Ballast Water
Ships need to carry
ballast water for stability and navigational purposes. Ballast
water from ships is mainly composed of water, oil and other
contaminants. It can be a mixture of water, fuel oil, lube oil,
hydraulic oil, oil additives, detergents, chemicals, catalytic
fines, soot and sludge. Not only does the ballast water contain
these contaminants, it also contains a diversity of living organisms
known as invasive marine species. Not all of these transferred
organisms will survive in their new surroundings, but some are hardy
and have no natural predators in their new environment, and multiply
rapidly. Some invasive marine species can become toxic, posing
threats to other species, aquaculture stocks, and humans. They have
the potential to crowd out native species by reducing the food
supply or changing characteristics of the habitat.
From WaterWorld
“Driven by international
regulations, the market for ballast water treatment systems is
predicted to grow to over $34 billion. …………..Cumulative investments of over $30 billion are
expected to be made into ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) over
this decade, according to a study recently conducted by Frost &
Sullivan. Investments will concern more than 57,000 maritime vessels
that will require a ballast water treatment system to be installed
during the period 2009-2020, driving massive requirement for system
orders.”
LCP Tech Inc has a cost effective
treatment system that can separate the oil and other contaminants
and at the same time can sterilize the water to prevent non-native
aquatic organisms from being discharged.
