Now operating at the ports of Trieste and Monfalcone, the new technology prevents the spread of invasive species and helps protect marine ecosystems
A new step forward in protecting the marine environment and enhancing the sustainability of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s port system: “Pure Ballast,” Italy’s first and only mobile system designed to treat ballast water from ships, has officially begun operations. The system was developed and is operated by Itelyum Sea FVG.
Ballast water, which vessels use to maintain stability and safety during navigation, has for decades been one of the main pathways through which invasive aquatic species and potentially harmful microorganisms spread into local ecosystems. The issue has been recognized internationally since the late 1980s and is addressed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments.
The Adriatic is one of the Mediterranean’s most productive seas and supports a wide variety of marine ecosystems. However, it is also among the areas most exposed to pressure from human activities and maritime traffic. Non-native or alien species transported in ballast water can disrupt the balance of these ecosystems, compete with native species, and damage valuable habitats such as Posidonia seagrass meadows. For this reason, ballast water management is internationally recognized as one of the most effective tools for preventing new forms of biological contamination in the world’s seas.
The ALIENA Project (Interreg Italy–Croatia 2021–2027), of which the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA FVG) is a partner, estimates that approximately 1,100 non-native species are present in the Mediterranean, including roughly 217 in the Adriatic alone and nearly 90 in the Gulf of Trieste. At least 50% of the alien species found in the Adriatic Sea are believed to have been introduced through maritime traffic, making shipping the primary pathway for their introduction.
With Pure Ballast now operational, the ports of Trieste and Monfalcone have access to a highly specialized service that treats ballast water directly at the dock, making a tangible contribution to the protection of the Upper Adriatic ecosystem.
The fully containerized, transportable system can operate near port facilities and has a treatment capacity of up to 300 cubic meters per hour. The process combines filtration with ultraviolet (UV) treatment to remove particles, organisms, and microorganisms from the water without the use of chemicals. The treated water is then discharged in compliance with international standards.
“Protecting marine biodiversity and preventing the introduction of invasive species are global challenges that require practical, innovative solutions. With Pure Ballast now in operation, we are providing the region with a technology that is unique in Italy and combines operational efficiency with environmental protection,” said Alessandro Bullo, CEO of Itelyum Sea FVG.
The new system was successfully tested in the presence of representatives from the Maritime Authority and the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, as well as technical experts from the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government and ARPA FVG, confirming that the system is fully operational.
The investment forms part of Itelyum’s broader commitment to environmental innovation and its efforts to develop increasingly advanced technologies for the sustainable management of resources and environmental services. With Pure Ballast, Friuli Venezia Giulia further strengthens its position as a center of excellence for applying the ecological transition to port operations and maritime logistics.