Ballast Water Treatment Market Report 2025

The ballast water treatment market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $104.97 billion in 2024 to $140.42 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to invasive species management, biodiversity conservation, public awareness, industry standardization, insurance and liability concerns.

The ballast water treatment market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $426.04 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing global shipping fleet, market competitiveness, government incentives, public pressure and activism, focus on green shipping. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in treatment technologies, retrofit installations and newbuilds, increased scrutiny on system performance, research and development for next-generation systems, increased awareness of invasive species impact, focus on cost-effective solutions, monitoring and reporting technologies.

The surge in attention towards preserving marine ecosystems from pollutants is a driving force behind the expansion of the ballast water treatment market. Marine ecosystems encompass diverse aquatic environments with high dissolved salt levels, including the open ocean, deep sea, and coastal habitats, each characterized by unique physical and biological traits. Pollution poses a significant threat across various sectors and is intricately linked with broader planetary concerns such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Combatting marine pollution is a global imperative, highlighted by the United Nations Environment Programme's June 2022 report, indicating a rapid increase in marine litter and plastic debris. Without substantial intervention, plastic emissions into aquatic environments are projected to nearly quadruple by 2040. Events like the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, have amplified calls for a renewed international commitment to combat pollution, including addressing challenges in marine environments. Thus, the growing focus on preserving marine ecosystems from pollutants is expected to drive the growth of the ballast water treatment market.

The growth of the shipping industry is expected to drive the expansion of the ballast water treatment market in the coming years. Shipping involves the transportation of goods, commodities, or cargo from one location to another, typically across bodies of water. It plays a crucial role in international trade, facilitating the movement of goods between countries and continents. As global trade continues to expand, the number of vessels operating in different regions also rises, increasing the risk of invasive species and aquatic organisms being introduced through ballast water. For example, in April 2024, a State of the Cruise Industry report by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a US-based cruise trade association, revealed that an estimated 31.7 million cruise ships carried passengers in 2023, representing a 7% increase over the previous four years. Consequently, the rise in shipping activity is fueling the growth of the ballast water treatment market.

Technological advancements are emerging as a key trend in the ballast water treatment market. Leading companies are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as ballast water management systems. For example, in October 2023, BIO-UV Group, a UK-based manufacturer of water purification and disinfection systems, introduced the BIO-SEA L01-0030 Mini, the smallest UV-based ballast water treatment system (BWTS) available. It is designed for use on workboats, yachts, research vessels, and offshore support vessels. This fully automated system combines filtration with UV treatment, catering to ballast water flow rates ranging from 13 m3/h to 30 m3/h (cubic meters per hour). With a compact skid footprint of just 1 m2 (square meter), the BIO-SEA L01-0030 Mini provides an efficient solution to meet the rising demand for ballast water treatment systems.

Key players in the ballast water treatment market are developing new technological products, such as the Manta filter, to boost profitability. Manta is engineered to quickly and economically clean polluted water, with the ability to convert pollutants like algae into renewable carbon-neutral biofuel. For instance, in July 2023, Wärtsilä Oyj Abp, a Finland-based manufacturer of power sources and other equipment, introduced the Manta filter. This filter features an innovative OneMotion scanner that cleans the screen in a single rotation, paired with a 25-micron smartweave screen, enhancing ballast water filtration. Its non-pleated design prevents silt from becoming trapped, ensuring there is no cake build-up across the screen.

In April 2024, Optimarin AS, a Norwegian manufacturer of ballast water treatment systems, acquired the Hyde Marine brand from Italy’s De Nora for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen Optimarin’s ballast water management capabilities, allowing the company to offer more advanced treatment solutions and improve compliance with environmental regulations, positioning itself for long-term growth in the competitive maritime industry. Hyde Marine, Inc. is an Italy-based manufacturer of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) designed to prevent the spread of non-native aquatic species.

Major companies operating in the ballast water treatment market are Wärtsilä Corporation, Xylem Inc., Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Ecochlor Inc, Alfa Laval AB, GEA Group AG, Hitachi Ltd., Veolia Water Technologies, Norwegian Greentech AS, ERMA FIRST ESK Engineering Solutions S.A., Industrie De Nora S.p.A., Atlantium Technologies Ltd., BIO-UV Group, DESMI A/S, JFE Engineering Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., PANASIA CO. LTD, BioMicrobics Inc., Wuxi Brightsky Electronic Co. Ltd., Hyde Marine Inc., TECO Technologies Inc., D2 Marine Solutions, Boll Filter Corporation, Aquarius Marine Coatings Ltd., Cathelco Ltd., Coldharbour Marine Ltd., Damen Green Solutions, Filtertechnik Jäger GmbH, Hatenboer-Water BV, Headway Technology Group Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the ballast water treatment market share in 2024 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the ballast water treatment market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the ballast water treatment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Ballast water treatment involves the process of pumping water into a ship to ensure its safe operation throughout a voyage. This practice helps reduce stress on the hull, enhances propulsion and maneuverability, and compensates for weight fluctuations caused by varying cargo load levels, as well as fuel and water consumption. Ballast water treatment is essential for maintaining safe operating conditions during a voyage.

Key technologies employed in ballast water treatment include physical disinfection, mechanical methods, and chemical methods. Physical disinfection involves the use of filters to physically treat water, removing living organisms and particles with a size of 50 microns or larger. The treatment capacities are categorized into less than 1,500 m3, 1,500-5,000 m3, and more than 5,000 m3. Services offered in this field include installation and calibration, performance measurement and recommissioning. Different types of ships benefiting from ballast water treatment include container ships, dry bulk carriers, tankers, general cargoes, and other ship types.

The ballast water treatment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides ballast water treatment market statistics, including ballast water treatment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a ballast water treatment market share, detailed ballast water treatment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the ballast water treatment industry. This ballast water treatment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The ballast water treatment market includes revenues earned by entities by separation and filtration, ozone, electrical currents, or UV radiation, and biocides or a form of chlorination. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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