Ballast Water Management Decision Support System Model Application - Global Maritime Transport and Ballast Water Management: Issues and Solutions - page 258

Ballast Water Management Decision Support
System Model Application

Matej David and Stephan Gollasch

Abstract In this chapter, the generic ballast water management (BWM) decision
support systems (DSS) model presented in the chapter “ Ballast Water Management
Decision Support System ” is validated by using one year real ballast water dis-
charge data of the Port of Koper, Slovenia. All possible BWM options as outlined in
the BWM Convention have been studied, and data on vessel voyages were collected
or assessed, including vessel movements, main routes, navigational constraints and
ballast water patterns, i.e., amount of ballast water to be managed per vessel and
type, ballast water exchange (BWE) capacity rates per vessel type and source ports
relevant for risk assessment (RA). The ballast water discharge data were analysed to
assess (a) the number of vessels that would be able to conduct BWE on their
intended routes according to the BWM Convention, and (b) the quantity of ballast
water which would be discharged (managed versus unmanaged). It is most likely
that only vessels from outside the Adriatic are enabled to conduct BWE before they
call at the Port of Koper. A ballast water exchange area in the Adriatic would open
more options to conduct BWE. The RA results from source ports were related to
each vessel to assign the level of risk to each vessel discharging ballast water. A
critical situation arises when ballast water is assessed as to pose an extreme risk as
the BWM DSS would conclude that these vessels would not be allowed to discharge
unmanaged ballast water.

Keywords Port of Koper ￿ Ballast water management ￿ Decision support system
application ￿ Risk assessment result ￿ Ballast water discharge quantity