BALMAS project

Programme: Adriatic IPA - Cross Border Cooperation 2007-2013

Project Title: Ballast water management system for Adriatic Sea protection

Acronym: BALMAS

Duration: 2013 – 2016

Total Budget: € 7.157.158

Web site:

Summary: BALMAS project integrates all necessary activities to enable a long-term, environmentally efficient, and financially and maritime transport sustainable implementation of BWM (Ballast Water Management) measures in the Adriatic. The general BALMAS objective is to establish a common cross-border system linking all Adriatic research, experts and national responsible authorities to avoid the unwanted risks to the environment and humans from the transfer of HAOP (Harmful Aquatic Organism and Patogenous), through the control and management of ships’ BW and sediments. Further, developments will be encouraged in related knowledge and technology at cross-border level for a long-term effective BWM in the Adriatic according to the BWM Convention, Europe wide developments and local specifics. Short term changes to be achieved by BALMAS include a better protection from unwanted impacts of HAOP. By developing a joint Adriatic BWM DSS, BWM Plan and Strategy, BALMAS will ensure uniform BWM requirements to ease shipping and at the same time to maximise environmental and economical protection of all sea users.

Contact persons in ISMAR:

Dr. Mauro Marini m.marini@ismar.cnr.it;

Dr. Raffaele D’Adamo raffaele.dadamo@fg.ismar.cnr.it

Partnership:

Istituto per le acquee della Repubblica di Slovenia - (IzVRS) (Lead Partner)

National Institute of Biology – Slovenia

Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport – Coast Guard Headquarters

Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)

Marine Research Centre Foundation –Italy

National Research Council (CNR) – Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR) – Italy

National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysic (OGS) – Italy

Scientific and Technological Park of Molise (PSTMOL) – Italy

Ministry of the Maritime affairs, Transport and Infrastructure – Croatia

University of Dubrovnik – Croatia

Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries – Croatia

Rudjer Boškovic Institute - Center for Marine Research – Croatia

MARE NOSTRUM-Association of Croatian employers - Croatia

Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Mostar – Bosnia-Herzegovina

Maritime Safety Department – Montenegro University of Montenegro – Montenegro

University of Tirana – Albania