Regional cohesion, innovation and future strategies in ballast water policies and management

• Project Dates: January 2009 - December 2013
• Project Leader: Professor Ehsan Mesbahi (PI - Newcastle)
• Staff: Mr Hossein Enshaei (project manager)
• Sponsors: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• Partners: Bundesamt für Seeschifffarht und Hydrographie, Germany; IMO World Maritime University, Sweden; CaTO Marine Ecosystems, Netherlands; GoConsult, Germany; DHIGroup, Denmark; Wageningen Imares, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).

Ballast Water Opportunity is a project for regional cohesion, innovation and future strategies in ballast water policies and management, focusing on: Coherence and harmonisation for implementation, monitoring and enforcement. Innovation based on scientific knowledge for implementation, enforcement and development of management systems. Development of future strategies to reduce ship-borne biological invasions.

The School of Marine Science and Technology was involved in two work packages and the project is coordinated by Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and includes Research institute, Classification Societies, Manufacturers, Administrations and Port Authorities.

Newcastle University has over 10 years of track record, working on several international, EU, national, Regulatory and Consultancy projects. In addition to the engagement of this project, the School of Marine Science and Technology will be participating in considering the current and emerging technologies, and the identification and prioritisation of future R&D needs and developments in the areas of Ballast Water Treatment, Biological issues, Legal issues and Training.