The GloBallast Partnerships Project (2007-2017)

The GloBallast Partnerships Project was a global initiative launched in 2007 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and a range of other international partners. The project aimed to address the problem of invasive aquatic species introduced through the discharge of ballast water from ships.

Ballast water is used by ships to maintain stability and balance when they are not carrying cargo. However, ballast water can also contain a range of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and small aquatic animals and plants. When this ballast water is discharged into a new environment, these organisms can become invasive and cause significant ecological and economic damage.

Objectives of GloBallast Global Partnership:

assist developing countries in implementing the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, which was adopted by the IMO in 2004.
The project provided technical assistance, training, and capacity building to developing countries to help them develop and implement national ballast water management strategies.

The project also promoted the development and use of environmentally friendly ballast water treatment technologies and worked to raise awareness of the issue of invasive species introduced through ballast water discharge.

Global Partnership of Countries:

The GloBallast Partnerships Project was implemented in over 60 countries and made significant progress in raising awareness of the issue of invasive species introduced through ballast water discharge and in supporting developing countries in implementing the Ballast Water Management Convention.

Tenure of Project:

The project was completed in 2017, but the IMO continues to work on ballast water management issues through its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and other initiatives.