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| Workers lower a scale model of a Great Lakes bulk carrier into the towing tank at the U-M Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory. Click image for higher resolution |
This week, the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. will implement new rules designed to reduce Great Lakes invaders. Ships will be required to flush ballast tanks with salt water before entering the Seaway, a practice corporation officials describe as an interim measure, not a final solutio
2 comments:
Sir Alvin:
Present state regulations regarding Ballast Water Management, such as those in the State of California, requiring vessels calling their ports to conduct ballast water exchange (with a few exceptions, e.g.: short coastal trade) should, for most Owners and charterers, satisfy the issue of harmful organisms' migration, without unnecessarily compromising shipping business (sacrifices are there, though, such as a need for track deviation in order to carry out ballast exchange in deeper water or within a minimum distance from the coast,additional fuel costs for running pumps - all of which can still be sustained,by present federal legislations, economically)
Implementing new designs could be just another alternative, environmentally, but then, we should also consider the viability of such as so much tonnage could be lost. Vessel lay-up in repair yards to effect modifications, could pose severe delays and loss of hire, not to mention the really huge costs to Owners for the modifications itself. If we could find the right balance between economics and environmental protection at lesser costs,I think that should be the more sensible alternative.
Capt Bert Sanchez
PMMAGS MMET
Naval architects who design ships know that ballast thank is needed to balance the ship and to protect the structure from unevenly distributed low. Ballast water will improve the position of center of gravity of the ship.
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