Ballast Water is linked to the international transport of invasive species. 

Various international regulatory efforts have been implemented to control and stop the inadvertent transport of invasive species. 

A first international effort involved the mandated exchange of ballast water at various points of an international voyage to physically expel ballast water from one region before transiting into another region.

New international regulatory efforts are directed towards the installation of equipment aboard ships that will treat ballast water neutralizing any potential biological threats.