Ballast Water Flow-Through Exchange Best Practices Review

This short report was prepared for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to support the state’s regulation of ballast water. Preparation of the report included an analysis of flow-through ballast water exchange operating procedures and equipment on board a typical tank vessel. Further efforts included considerations relevant to flow-through exchange on all marine vessels. The report delivers the following:

• Review of the flow-through a ballast water exchange system for the example tank vessel. This includes suggested changes for operating procedures and installed equipment that would increase exchange efficiency.
• Proposed general best practices and best systems that could serve as a guide for efficient ballast water exchange on other ships.
• Recommendations for further research that could lead to improved ballast water exchange.