What type of ballast water system is completely separated from cargo and fuel systems?

The type of ballast water system that is completely separated from cargo and fuel systems is the segregated ballast system. This design is specifically intended to prevent any contamination of the ballast water with the cargo or fuel, ensuring that the ballast water remains uncontaminated and suitable for discharge when required.

In segregated ballast systems, dedicated tanks are used solely for retaining ballast water. This separation is not just beneficial from an operational perspective, but it also plays a crucial role in environmental protection. By preventing any potential transfer of substances from the cargo or fuel systems, the segregated ballast system mitigates the risk of pollution in marine environments.

Other types such as mixed ballast systems do not provide such separation and may introduce the risk of contamination. Gravity ballast and displacement ballast refer to specific methods of managing ballast but do not imply a separation between ballast water and other systems, which is key in upholding environmental standards.