The intrusion of invasive species into oceanic waters and especially coastal waters is among the four highest risks for our marine environment. Ballast Water is one of the sources of invasive species. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has drafted the “International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments”, an international convention to prevent the potentially devastating effects of the spread of harmful aquatic organisms carried by ships' ballast water.

The objective of the BallastWater project is to provide a Ballast Water Risk Index for the North Sea and Baltic Sea combining EO data and ground information. It further investigates the potential of EO data for the monitoring of ballast water exchange areas. Ballast water is a complex and global challenge; this project shall show on regional level the potential of the described products for decisions on ballast water exchange.