Ballast Water
Description of Issue:
Almost 99 percent of U.S overseas trade is moved by ship and over 80 million tons of ballast water are discharged into U.S. waters each year. There are thousands of marine species that may be carried in ships’ ballast water. The introduction of aquatic nuisance species can result in substantial ecological and economic damage. AAPA is committed to working to ensure the establishment of strong international and national ballast water management programs. AAPA believes that only through a strong national and international program of ballast water research and regulation can we hope to minimize the risk of invasive species to the U.S. and maintain a cost-effective transportation mode for international trade. A series of court decisions have led to the regulation of ballast water under the Clean Water Act. In 2008, EPA published a Vessel General Permit with which vessels must comply.
EPA - Clean Water Act Comments Testimony U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Maritime Administration Letters Shipping Industry Ballast Water Coalition Other Materials
Staff Contact: Meredith Martino, mmartino@aapa-ports.org
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