ABSTRACT
Ballast water studies conducted in different parts of the world proved that ships facilitate a substantial amount of aquatic organisms and human pathogen transfers across natural boundaries. The ballast water management (BWM) Convention sets global standards on BWM requirements, while at the same time regional and local specifics have to be considered for the effective implementation of the BWM Convention. A vessel may conduct ballasting and deballasting also during navigation or at the anchorage, depending on the vessel type, weather and sea conditions and vessel operations. Ballast water may contain organisms that are small enough and sufficiently resistant to survive the ballasting, transport and deballasting process. Sampling of ballast water is a prime method to prove that potentially harmful organisms are discharged into the environment via shipping. More detailed investigations of maritime transport markets and ballast water movements would give necessary insights in how to lower BWMs and respond to concerns of the mobilities theory.
