Marine Bioinvasion: Ecological Risks and Implications for Maritime Safety

Ballast water is essential for the stabilization of ships, ensuring the safety of the vessel, cargo and crew. This practice is crucial for controlling the ship’s draft, keeping the vessel upright and preventing it from listing. Despite its importance for navigation, ballast water is the main cause of marine bioinvasion. When ships carry ballast water, aquatic organisms are moved from their local communities to new ecosystems, which can result in the introduction of exotic species that threaten local biodiversity. The global maritime sector transports a variety of species in its ballast water every day, and this introduction can cause ecological imbalances, negatively affecting coastal economic activities. In addition, ballast water can contain pathogens, posing risks to public health. Awareness of the impacts on marine ecosystems is essential, as is the development of biocide-free antifouling research and the implementation of ballast water treatment systems.

压载水（Ballast water）对船舶稳性至关重要，可保障船舶、货物与船员的安全。该操作对控制船舶吃水、保持船体直立并防止倾斜发挥关键作用。尽管压载水对航行至关重要，但其却是海洋生物入侵的主要诱因。当船舶搭载压载水时，水生生物会从其原生群落被携带至全新的生态系统，进而引入威胁当地生物多样性的外来物种。全球海运业每日均通过压载水携带各类物种，此类物种引入会引发生态失衡，对沿岸经济活动造成负面影响。此外，压载水中可能携带病原体，对公共健康构成威胁。充分认识压载水对海洋生态系统的影响至关重要，研发无杀生剂防污技术并推行压载水处理系统亦同等关键。