Ballast water discharge by ships can have a negative impact on the marine environment. Cruise ships, large tankers, and bulk cargo carriers use a huge amount of ballast water, which is often taken on in the coastal waters in one region (after ships discharge wastewater or unload cargo) and discharged at the next port of call, wherever more cargo is loaded. Ballast water discharge typically contains a variety of biological materials, including plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria. These materials often include non-native, nuisance, exotic species that can cause extensive ecological and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems.

In 2004, the IMO adopted an international standard for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments. The requirements apply to all new vessels built from 2012 onwards, and from 2014, they apply to older vessels as well, with ballast water tank capacities of 1500-5000 m3 - leading to a total ban on the transfer of harmful organisms from 2016.

US Coast Guard has recently adopted new regulations relating to ballast water management. Ships calling at US ports and intending to discharge ballast will be required to use an approved ballast water treatment system that meets the US discharge standard (which is the same as the IMO D-2 standard).

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