Characterization of Rio de Janeiro Port in Terms of Ballast Water

Abstract

This article discusses the characterization of Rio de Janeiro Port (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in terms of ballast water between October 2005 and December 2006. Two instruments were applied: (a) the “Ballast Water Reporting Form” and (b) the spreadsheet “Ballast Water Estimates from Port Recorders.” A variant of the second method was also used. An analysis of the most frequent routes and observations of the ballast exchange at sea were also associated with this information. In conclusion, it was found that the total volume of deballast was around 870,000 m3, the main “donors” being the ports in northeast Brazil and their tanker ships. In relation to the procedure of ballast water exchange at sea, it was found that this always occurs with vessels from overseas ports. Around 2 million cubic meters and 4 million cubic meters were estimated in the spreadsheet. In the first case, vessels whose destination were private terminals were not included, and in the second case, these were included. Although the values do not coincide, analyses from the data from ship manifests and clearance forms prove to be coherent and proportionally similar.

Ten years of Brazilian ballast water management

“…In 2005, after a period of discussions with the Brazilian maritime community, the Director of Ports and Coasts adopted the Brazilian Maritime Standard for ballast water management which stipulates obligations to ships and/or their agents including filling out and sending the Ballast Water Form and providing information about the ballast water handled by the ship and its management, mainly through the mid-ocean exchange(Castro et al, 2010). In 2014 the rule was revised and providing information about ballast water management systems has become compulsory(Brazil, 2014).Taking into account the additional task on ballast water and considering the nature of the inspection (not merely documental), during the period between the adoption of the Brazilian Standard (June, 2005) and its entry into force (October, 2005), PSCO located along the coast were trained by specialists on ballast water, senior inspectors and ship's masters.Moreover, informative material and presentations on the new requirements were also delivered to ship owners and maritime agents, with a view to discuss and clarify any aspects associated with the adoption of the new ballast water requirements.Inspection of ballast water is generally conducted during ordinary inspections by Port StateControl officers and is based on documents required by the Brazilian ballast water regulations, like the Ballast Water Management Plan and the Ballast Water Reporting Form (see Appendix*).…”