**4. New methods: Barge and port side ballast water treatment**

In a now-published book in 2022 written by the author of this paper with several authors who are also researchers, scholars and practitioners, in the field of ballast water management [16], it is recorded that the ballast water technologies and innovations tabulated in **Table 1** below are currently available in general on the market and they are usually employed by various shipowners. These methods have been passed by the IMO [23, 24]. The IMO has rigorous standards established in sound standards for


#### **Table 1.**

*Table of ballast water treatment systems on the market.*

passing these technologies however many of them still need to be further developed and improved their effectiveness double-checked against data available after years of employment of these methods. The use of chlorine in ballast water treatments, for example, which has been one of the more simpler and popular methods of ballast water treatment, has been criticized for its potentiality to form toxins in the water because, further chlorine still carries the status of extremely dangerous chemical because in its gas form, it is so harmful that it was a chemical weapon in the first world war [25].

The IMO and ballast water management of just laws of nations around the world obviously seek only safe methods of managing ballast water to comply with IMO standards [26]. This is why it is crucial to have an understanding of technologies as recorded in **Table 1** below. This table provides us with performance data for technologies that have been popularized by the industry in its zeal to comply with the BWM 2004. The fact that there are complaints about some of the methods being considered 'dangerous' for human health means that we still have to work more on compliance methods as well as monitoring. Otherwise, this means that we are still ignoring environmental impact problems created by shipping and the necessity of trade.

In **Table 1** below the technologies which could be considered new generation to make compliance with the BWM 2004 Convention possible seem to be more popular because they deliver the D2 standards for water approval for safe discharge. These technologies also provide for easy monitoring or more developed monitoring systems which the survey conducted showed was of particular importance to the industry. The monitoring of ballast water has had its traditional systems for testing and monitoring that have been part of the shipping industry however now that the standard is raised for the management of ballast water discharges it is clear that a customer, shipowner who buys into the popular new technologies in **Table 1** will have a great chance of being able to prove ballast water management compliance.

Innovators in the ballast water management space have shown us according to the table above that technologies in the market are capable of achieving regulatory compliance for IMO and Port State control, therefore let us consider how these methods have been technically and operationally advanced to provide ballast water treatment shore side or by barge as an example of the latest developments. It is important to

consider how this innovation is contributing towards a greener ship, port and ballast water management system. Green shipping is the future because without a stable environment there is no life, commerce, or trade to sustain. This cannot be ignored because it leads to devastation. We must applaud, support, and encourage those who use modern technologies for greener safer shipping [27].

The leading innovators on barge and port-side ballast water management are the company, Freedom Ballast [28]. The technology used is illustrated in the company's patented system which works as follows before ballast water is discharged from a ship it passed through the patented and patent pending UV and pasteurization technology of Freedom Ballast. This technology without the use of active substances and chemical compounds treats the ballast water before it is discharged. The system itself works with high throughput at 1000 M3/hour, this would please the shipowners seeking that just-in-time speed for port operations.

Upon the author of this paper is granted an interview with the CEO of Freedom Ballast, it was clear that the CEO was focused on technologies to stop invasions before the technology to deal with current and existing invasions is discussed. In his discussion, the CEO discussed a world where ship hulls can be repurposed to provide logistical possibilities for this system to be available at ports throughout the globe. This means that there is much research and development behind this company to make these green ideas of not toxic, effective, recycling ballast water management to reach their full potential. The Freedom Ballast system is accepted in North America with concessions to operate in the lower Mississippi. What will be interesting to see is whether or not this technology is suitable for the mega-size class vessels and if it were to be used in ultrasensitive marine environments like the Arctic region whether or not it would be one of the most acceptable methods. Considering the non-toxic nature of the technology, this system might be one of the latest applications that may be most suitable.

It is submitted that the spirit of environmental protection and innovation in marine environments should continue as shown with the barge port side ballast water treatment system demonstrated above. In US law, which we may use as a significant example of a global benchmark for regulatory compliance on ballast water management, new innovations in ballast water management, whether local or foreign are supported. In the case of foreign innovations and other unique methods, a request to pass these under the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is encouraged. This mean that practically it is required that a formal request is made to the USCG to decide on any new Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) approved by a foreign administration. This is why it can be said that standards for BWM in the US are high, see the Code of Federal Regulation particularly, Title 33 CFR, '§ 151.2026. It is submitted that governments around the world should as research grows and data becomes available in the area of ballast water management that an innovatively open mind to even better technologies be kept to continue to encourage the finding and investment in the best technologies.

In the US, again, for example, to illustrate this innovation encouraging the best solution for ballast water management strategies, when a shipowner wants to use or is using an Alternate (ballast) management systems (AMS), as long as such a system is in agreement with the aims of the BWM 2004 Convention and request to use it in writing is made to the USCG, that system can be approved and usable in the USA subject to the discretion of the port authority, of course. This means constant research and development is being encouraged in the USA, this is the commitment to the environment. It is submitted that the same commitment that is shown in stopping

new invasions should also be applied in finding solutions to current invasions. For, example, can we use plasma solutions on zebra mussel infestations in the great lakes by demarcating certain areas and treating them with this application or more effective ones? This is a question that innovators and research and development can answer but the encouragement of these ideas is called for by this paper.
