Ship Ballast Water Management System (Port of Yokohama and Port of Kobe) - July 2003 - October 2024

Ship Ballast Water Management System (Port of Yokohama and Port of Kobe) - July 2003 - October 2024

History and Current Status of Shipboard Ballast Water Management Systems

Background of introduction in the early 2000s
Ballast water, used by ships to maintain their balance while underway, has caused the transfer of pests and alien species between ocean areas, leading to global ecosystem destruction and water pollution. In particular, invasive alien species have been reported in major Japanese ports such as Yokohama, Kobe, and Tokyo Bay, and their serious impact on the ecosystems around the ports has been a problem. In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Ballast Water Management Convention in 2004, which mandates the introduction of ballast water management systems for internationally navigating ships.

Ballast water treatment technologies such as ultraviolet irradiation, ozone treatment, and thermal treatment were adopted, and efforts were made to detoxify harmful organisms and pathogens in ballast water using these technologies. The ultraviolet treatment system developed by Hitachi Zosen Corporation and the ozone treatment system by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. were widely adopted, and these technologies not only improved treatment efficiency but also achieved a reduction of about 30% in energy consumption.

Technological Innovation and Diffusion in the 2010s-2020s
According to data from 2018, approximately 20 million tons of ballast water is treated annually in Japan, and ballast water management systems are rapidly being adopted, especially in the ports of Yokohama, Kobe, and Osaka. The introduction of this technology has reduced the destruction of ecosystems and adverse effects on fisheries caused by invasive alien species, and further adoption is expected at other ports in the future.

From the 2010s through the 2020s, shipbuilders also accelerated the development of next-generation ballast water management systems. New systems from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and IHI Corporation have achieved higher treatment efficiency and lower costs than conventional technologies, thereby establishing Japan as a world leader in ballast water management technology.

Current Status and Future in the 2020s
In the 2020s, ballast water management has become even more important. The spread of invasive species continues to be a problem in the ports of Yokohama and Kobe, as well as in Tokyo Bay, making the introduction of ballast water management systems an urgent necessity. 2023 will see approximately 30 million tons of ballast water treated annually in the Port of Yokohama, and a 40% reduction in energy consumption due to the system developed by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. and Hitachi Zosen Corporation. A 40% reduction in energy consumption has been realized through the system developed by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. and Hitachi Zosen Corporation.

In addition, approximately 50 million tons of ballast water is treated annually at the Port of Kobe with the introduction of thermal treatment technology newly developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. This technology improves treatment efficiency by more than 60% compared to conventional systems and significantly reduces the risk of invasion by invasive alien species. Furthermore, the new system developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and IHI not only meets international standards by reducing energy consumption by approximately 50% compared to conventional systems, but also significantly reduces environmental impact.

The ballast water management system is becoming more widely used in major ports in Japan, helping to solve the problem of invasive alien species and protect port ecosystems. 2024 will see the full implementation of the IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention, which will make the introduction of this technology mandatory for ships around the world. This will result in Japan's technology being highly regarded internationally, contributing greatly to environmental protection and the development of a sustainable shipping industry.

Thus, between 2003 and 2024, Japan's ballast water management technology has rapidly evolved and is showing leadership in addressing global issues. Efforts to prevent environmental destruction caused by alien species will continue, contributing to the preservation of a sustainable marine environment.