What is the function of the ballast water management plan?

The function of the ballast water management plan is centered around the management of the discharge of contaminants. Ballast water is taken on board to aid in vessel stability and trim, but it can also introduce invasive species and pathogens into a new marine environment when the water is discharged. A ballast water management plan outlines procedures and technologies to minimize the risk of introducing these harmful organisms into different ecosystems, which can disrupt local marine life and biodiversity.

This plan typically includes measures for the treatment of ballast water before it is released, ensuring compliance with international regulations such as the Ballast Water Management Convention. The primary goal is to protect marine environments while maintaining the operational safety of the vessel. Other options, while related to ballast operations, do not accurately reflect the core purpose of the management plan, which is focused on environmental protection rather than operational capacity or structural design.