Ballast Water Analysis

Ballast water analysis is a type of analysis performed to control samples taken from ballast water treatment systems. In line with IMO (International Maritime Organization) and USCG (United States Coast Guard) ballast water conventions, ballast water analysis is required for commissioning and control purposes.

Ballast water is formed by drawing seawater into tanks in certain parts of the ship to keep ships in balance, to increase navigational efficiency. The amount of ballast water varies according to the load condition. Empty ships need more ballast water, as the ship load increases, the ballast water decreases. In such cases, the ballast water taken is released back into the sea or vice versa. Ballast water operation, which is carried out uncontrolled by geographical changes, creates inconvenience in terms of ecology and environment. The living ecosystem of one region can move to another region, and invasive species can disrupt the existing ecosystem.

(IMO’nun MEPC.325(75)’te aldığı kararla bu tarih 1 Haziran 2022’ye çekilmiştir.)

(With the decision of IMO in MEPC.325(75), this date has been moved to 1 June 2022.)

For new building projects, shipyards, shipowners and operators should be aware that if delivery of the vessel is on or after 1 June 2022, then commissioning testing needs to be completed fully in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.70/Rev.1, even if the system has been partially installed and/or commissioned before 1 June 2022. The same also applies for existing ships where the BWTS (Ballast Water Treatment System) installation survey is due to be completed on or after 1 June 2022.

From 1 June 2022, amendments to the BWM Convention, regulation E-1, come into force, published in IMO Resolution MEPC.325(75). These amendments mandate the commissioning testing of BWTS during initial surveys for new construction projects and during BWTS installation surveys on existing ships (i.e. what the Convention calls additional surveys).

Size class Criteria
≥ 50 μm Viable organisms less than 10 per m3
≥ 50 μm < 50 μm Viable organisms less than 10 per milliliter (ml)

When BWTS evaluations are made, microorganisms of different sizes are examined with ballast water analysis in the water in the system. These are generally phytoplankton greater than 10 μm and less than <50 μm, or equal to or greater than 50≤ μm.

AEM Laboratory; with its expert staff, technical facilities and quality service, it is an accredited organization from TURKAK (Turkish Accreditation Agency) and approved  from classification societies, which has international validity in ballast water analysis. It serves throughout Turkey and World in ballast water analysis. Thanks to the infrastructure in our laboratory, we get faster and more accurate results in ballast water analysis. With our latest and fastest instruments, we save you from long waiting times when taking samples and performing analysis.

The analyzes we make with our internationally recognized BallastWise device offer both faster and more technological solutions. BallastWise allows for quick analysis when taking samples on board.

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