Ballast Water Treatment: Global Market Scenario, Trends, Opportunity, Growth and Forecast, 2020-2030

Market Definition

While not completely loaded, oceangoing boats need ballast water to stabilize them. When a ship unloads cargo, water is absorbed; when it is reloaded, water is discharged. Additionally, ballast water may be employed for trim and structural integrity. Every year, more than 10 billion tonnes of ballast water are moved through water bodies all over the world, transporting more than 10,000 different aquatic species.   

Market Insights

According to estimates, the global market for ballast water treatment technology will grow from $70.13 billion in 2022 to $340.89 billion in 2030. The adult and larval stages of many marine and coastal plants and animals can be found in ballast water, along with a variety of other species like bacteria and viruses. The majority of these species won’t make it to the point where the ballast is released, but some would, and some might even thrive in their new home. One of the most serious pollution issues affecting ports and waterways around the world is the introduction of non-native species through ship ballast water.

Every hour of every day, about 10,000 aquatic species are moved in ballast water, generating effects outside of their natural range and having detrimental consequences on the environment, the economy, and human health. Due to wear and tear or outdated technology, ballast water management systems on older ships may perform less effectively. This might make it necessary to upgrade or replace the current systems, which would increase the requirement for new ballast water management systems. When a ship reaches the end of its useful life, it could be swapped out for a newer ship with a more sophisticated ballast water management system. This cycle of replacement may lead to a market need for new systems and market expansion.

The global fleet is about ten years old on average. Generally speaking, older ships are less fuel-efficient than newer ones. A vessel that is 10 years old might use up to 30% more fuel than one that is brand new. It can be expensive and difficult to retrofit older ships with new ballast water management systems. The cost of retrofitting a ship with a ballast water management system can range from $150,000 to $5 million, according to a report by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), depending on the size and complexity of the ship. In some circumstances, it could be more economical to swap out older ships for newer ones that come with cutting-edge ballast water management systems. According to a report by World Maritime News, the cost of a new vessel equipped with a ballast water management system can be comparable to that of retrofitting an older vessel.

Current market leaders and predicted market leaders in the forecast term are electro chlorination and UV-based disinfection systems. However, there is some disagreement among manufacturers of treatment systems as to which system types might see more sales in the event of a quick ramp-up.

The ideal option, according to UV system proponents, is UV-based units because shipboard space is limited and they have a smaller footprint and don’t require chemical additives. Vendors of this type of system also point out that an increase in BWMS demand would make it harder for makers of electrochemical systems to get essential components, like premium electrodes.

Market Dynamics: Drivers

Impact of Regulations on Industry

Ballast water management market demand is significantly influenced by environmental regulatory regulations. Ballast water discharge was first noticed as a problem by Australia, the U.S., Brazil, and Canada in their respective ports. Later, with the formation of the IMO, nations came together and concentrated on developing rules that ships should adhere to on a worldwide scale. International organisations like the IMO and USCG have put in place a variety of rules and regulations to safeguard marine health. The IMO presented recommendations for performing appropriate management of ballast water at the 2004 Convention on Ballast Water, including exchange of ballast water, treatment of ballast water, port reception facility, technology approval process, sampling of ballast water, methods of ballast water analysis, and risk assessment. Ships must install ballast water management systems to clean ballast water before discharging it into the ocean in accordance with these standards. Later, it was discovered that the 2004 convention was insufficient for completely eliminating bio invasion, leading to revisions. In September 2019, new and existing ships were required to have the technology for processing their ballast water, which had been a market driven by legal requirements since September 2017.

The market for ballast water management systems has expanded dramatically as a result of the tight enforcement of these laws in recent years, which has increased demand for ballast water management systems. The regulatory environment is always changing, and new laws are being passed to address new issues with ballast water management. Worldwide implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention) mandates that ships adhere to tougher ballast water discharge standards.

In conclusion, the demand for ballast water management systems and services has been fueled by regulatory restrictions, which have propelled the market for ballast water management. As new laws are implemented, it is anticipated that the market will keep expanding.

Market Dynamics: Challenges

Cyber Security Issues in Ballast Water Treatment Systems

Systems for treating ballast water are susceptible to cyber security problems, which could seriously affect the effectiveness and safety of ships and their workers. Ballast water treatment systems that have cyber security problems may experience anything from minor disruptions to serious safety threats. Critical systems could be shut down by a cyberattack or a ship could lose control, which could result in mishaps or collisions. Sensitive data may potentially be compromised via a data breach, and attackers may be given access to other areas of the ship’s network.

To reduce these hazards, ship owners and operators must put strong cyber security measures in place for their ballast water treatment systems. The ballast water treatment system may be separated from other ship systems by using network segmentation, strict access controls, and routine security updates. The ability of the crew to spot and report any suspicious activity or anomalies in the ballast water treatment system should also be taught. The possible effects of cyberattacks on ballast water treatment systems are illustrated by cyber events, which can range from system disruptions to major safety issues. A marine safety notice warning about the possibility of cyberattacks on ballast water treatment systems was released by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2020. The alert referenced a specific incident in which an unnamed vessel’s ballast water treatment system was infected with malware, causing the system to shut down, rendering the vessel unable to discharge ballast water.

Market Segmentation

• Based on Technology, the Global Ballast Water Treatment market is segmented into
  • Ultraviolet
  • Electro chlorination
  • Ultrasound
  • Oxidation
  • Disinfectant
  • Others
• Based on Water Capacity, the Global Ballast Water Treatment market is segmented into
  • More than 5,000 Cubic Meter
  • 1,500–5,000 Cubic Meter
  • Less than 1,500 Cubic Meter
• Based on Vessel Type, the Global Ballast Water Treatment market is segmented into
  • General cargo
  • Oil tankers
  • Bulk carriers
  • Container ships
  • Others
• Based on Installation Type, the Global Ballast Water Treatment market is segmented into
  • Stationary
  • Portable
• Based on Geography, the Global Ballast Water Treatment market is segmented into
  • Asia-Pacific
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa
• All market revenue has been given in US Dollar

Historical Year: 2020-2021
Base Year: 2022
Estimated: 2023
Forecast- 2024-2030

Key Questions this Study will Answer

• What are the key overall market statistics or market estimates (Market Overview, Market Size- By Value, Market Size-By Volume, Forecast Numbers, Market Segmentation, Market Shares) of Global Ballast Water Treatment Market?
• What is the region wise industry size, growth drivers and challenges key market trends?
• What are the key innovations, opportunities, current and future trends and regulations in the Global Ballast Water Treatment Market?
• Who are the key competitors, what are their key strength and weakness and how they perform in Global Ballast Water Treatment Market based on competitive benchmarking matrix?
• What are the key results derived from the market surveys conducted during Global Ballast Water Treatment Market study?