Understanding ballast water analysis
Ballast water helps keep ships stable. However, transporting and discharging this water can introduce aquatic organisms into new environments. Lab’Eau-Air-Sol offers ballast water analysis to support ship operators’ verification and monitoring activities.
What is ballast water?
Ships use ballast water to adjust their weight, trim and stability as navigation and loading conditions change. Water is taken from an aquatic environment, stored in the ship’s tanks and discharged when ballasting needs change.
This water may contain aquatic organisms and microorganisms. Moving them to new regions can contribute to the spread of invasive species and pathogens, with consequences for biodiversity, infrastructure and economic activities.
Canadian regulations
Canada’s Ballast Water Regulations (SOR/2021-120), which came into force in June 2021, set requirements for the management of ballast water to reduce risks to aquatic ecosystems. Applicable requirements depend on the ship, its construction, voyages and the regulatory provisions that apply to it.
The regulations address management, systems, documentation and compliance. Analyses may be included in verification activities according to the scope of the assignment.
Read Canada’s Ballast Water Regulations
What the service involves
The analysis is adapted to the objectives of the assignment and the parameters to be verified. The service may include:
- Ballast water sampling.
- Laboratory analysis of samples.
- A report presenting the results.
- Annual follow-up when included in the assignment.
Sampling arrangements, parameters and testing frequency vary with the ship’s needs and applicable requirements. The purpose of the analysis should therefore be defined before sampling is planned.
When to request an analysis
- Documenting ballast water parameters.
- Checking water characteristics before or after treatment.
- Monitoring a ballast water management system.
- Responding to verification or documentation requirements for an assignment.
- Planning a sampling campaign or periodic follow-up.
Regulatory obligations vary between ships. A single analysis does not establish the overall compliance of a ship or its management system. Results must be interpreted in the context of the parameters tested and applicable requirements.
Planning the sampling
Sampling must be planned according to the requested analyses and sampling conditions. Consult our instructions or contact our team about collection, storage and shipping arrangements.