Vialibility of ballast reception facilities within the Great Lakes

Abstract

Shore-based ballast water reception (BWR) facilities offer an economically and environmentally feasible alternative to onboard treatment of ballast water for vessels on dedicated trades within the Laurentian Great Lakes (Great Lakes). Six to eight high-capacity BWR facilities could significantly decrease the secondary spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in the Great Lakes. The location of these facilities should consider prevailing hydrology, trade networks, and historical ballast water volumes. This study included an analysis of the Great Lakes geography and hydrology, U.S. and Canadian Laker fleets, thirteen years of USCG ballast water reports, and third-party information showing vessel movements within the Great Lakes region. Third-party information allowed the estimation of Canadian fleet operations and contributions to the movement of ballast water. Previous engineering studies of ballast water reception facilities allowed for a comparison to recent data for U.S. port operations. U.S. ballast water reports provided data to calculate ballast discharges at U.S. Great Lakes ports. Analysis of multiple reporting years revealed peak ballast water discharges and daily vessel traffic patterns for the region (i.e., intra-lake and inter-lake). Analysis of vessel voyage routing information allowed the determination of suitable locations for BWR facilities. Considerations in determining the size and location of shoreside facilities included: traffic density, vessel sizes and trading patterns, hydrology, and geography. Estimation of the number of and treatment capacities for ballast water reception facilities included capital and operating expenses. BWR facility capital expense estimates ranged from $65 to $75 million for vessels moving ballast water upbound from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie to $160 to $180 million to treat vessels moving ballast water upbound from Lake Erie (including the Welland Canal, Detroit River, and St. Clair River). BWR facilities are technically feasible from both environmental efficacy and ship transfer considerations. Optimizing the number of facilities (six to eight) located along key high-traffic routes allowed determination of economic feasibility when compared to fitting ballast water treatment systems on every trading vessel. BWR treatment technologies and processes were selected based on current municipal water treatment plant designs utilizing fresh surface water sources. Recommendations and next steps include working with Transport Canada to gain access to Canadian ballast water reports, allowing for more accurate ballast water operation analysis. Further study of the Great Lakes regional municipal water treatment plants would provide improved ballast water reception facility design information allowing improved capital and operating expense estimates.