A new association has formed to represent ballast water equipment manufacturers and other industry stakeholders.

The Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers' Association was created because of "the growing demand for well-founded information on the practicability of ballast water treatment technologies, as well as on the technical and environmental aspects of implementing ballast water management regulations worldwide," according to a statement on the group's website. Many ships pump water in and out of their ballast tanks to improve stability.

Proposals for ballast water equipment association have been floated in year past, according to board President Mark Riggio. "What makes this different is the realization that we needed to have a unified voice in the conversation."

BWEMA members met April 19 to form the group's first board of directors. The group did not say whether it intends to hire any staff. bwema.org

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