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Energy and Transport Minister Opens Ballast Water Management Workshop

Wed, Nov 1st 2023, 08:47 PM
Environment Politics

Minister of Energy and Transport the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis opened a three-day National Workshop on Ballast Water Management at the National Training Agency on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Minister Coleby-Davis said, “The topic of the workshop is paramount to The Bahamas Maritime Sector and is one that transcends national borders and defines our commitment as a nation to safeguard our environment and maritime ecosystem.”

“We stand on the verge of change, ready to champion innovative solutions and chart a course towards a more sustainable future.  As Minister of Energy and Transport, I cannot overstate the importance of ballast water management in this coastal state.”

She explained that the participants in the workshop have the power to protect the country’s oceans, preserve its biodiversity, and nurture the wellbeing of its communities and those that rely on its strong maritime heritage.

According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ballast water is pumped in to maintain safe operating conditions throughout a voyage. This practice reduces stress on the hull, provides transverse stability, improves propulsion and maneuverability, and compensates for weight changes in various cargo load levels and due to fuel and water consumption.

However, the IMO states that while ballast water is essential for safe and efficient modern shipping operations, it may pose serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the multitude of marine species carried in ships’ ballast water.

These include bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, eggs, cysts and larvae of various species. The transferred species may survive to establish a reproductive population in the host environment, becoming invasive, out-competing native species and multiplying into pest proportions.

As a member of IMO, ships registered under The Bahamas must follow the Ballast Water Management Convention.

The BWM Convention aims at preventing, minimizing and ultimately eliminating the different risks arising from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms (e.g. Zebra mussels) and pathogens (e.g. microbes such as vibrio cholera). It requires ships to control and manage ballast water and sediments.

The workshop is facilitated by the IMO and RAC/REMPEITIC-Caribe; participants include senior officials of government agencies, along with leaders of private sector companies.

Minister of Energy and Transport the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis opened a three-day National Workshop on Ballast Water Management at the National Training Agency on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Minister Coleby-Davis said, “The topic of the workshop is paramount to The Bahamas Maritime Sector and is one that transcends national borders and defines our commitment as a nation to safeguard our environment and maritime ecosystem.”
“We stand on the verge of change, ready to champion innovative solutions and chart a course towards a more sustainable future.  As Minister of Energy and Transport, I cannot overstate the importance of ballast water management in this coastal state.”
She explained that the participants in the workshop have the power to protect the country’s oceans, preserve its biodiversity, and nurture the wellbeing of its communities and those that rely on its strong maritime heritage.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ballast water is pumped in to maintain safe operating conditions throughout a voyage. This practice reduces stress on the hull, provides transverse stability, improves propulsion and maneuverability, and compensates for weight changes in various cargo load levels and due to fuel and water consumption.
However, the IMO states that while ballast water is essential for safe and efficient modern shipping operations, it may pose serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the multitude of marine species carried in ships’ ballast water.
These include bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, eggs, cysts and larvae of various species. The transferred species may survive to establish a reproductive population in the host environment, becoming invasive, out-competing native species and multiplying into pest proportions.
As a member of IMO, ships registered under The Bahamas must follow the Ballast Water Management Convention.
The BWM Convention aims at preventing, minimizing and ultimately eliminating the different risks arising from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms (e.g. Zebra mussels) and pathogens (e.g. microbes such as vibrio cholera). It requires ships to control and manage ballast water and sediments.
The workshop is facilitated by the IMO and RAC/REMPEITIC-Caribe; participants include senior officials of government agencies, along with leaders of private sector companies.
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