The Ballast Water Management Convention

The Ballast Water Management Convention is an international treaty designed to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species through ships. When ships take on ballast water to stabilize, they also pick up small plants and animals from one region, which can harm ecosystems when discharged elsewhere. The convention requires ships to manage and treat ballast water to remove or kill these organisms before releasing it into new environments. Its goal is to protect global marine biodiversity, promote sustainable shipping practices, and reduce the ecological risks associated with ballast water discharges.