Manufacturers and stakeholders in the ballast water treatment equipment market have formed an association intended to give a voice to the industry's manufacturers.

The Ballast Water Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) recently elected its inaugural board of directors at its first annual meeting.

"The paramount need for this association arose from the growing demand for well-founded information on the practicability of ballast water treatment technologies, as well as on the technical and environmental aspects of implementing ballast water management regulations worldwide," the US-based group said.