Água de lastro: problema ambiental de direito

Abstract

This work defines ballast water and approaches the problems and especially the pollution arising as effect of its use in the routine of maritime commerce. It presents an internationalist, analytical of the global situation, and the written dispositions on this matter, especially the Agreement on Ballast Water, its importance and its form, the need of its ratification in function of the international marine safety and the difficulties found. It suggests new interpretations of the Agreement in the extent of the International Law in order to reduce the formal requirements and looking for the celerity to put into force a new pattern of environmental protection, with the objective of inserting more modern and efficient forms of treatment of this problems of so great environmental, social and economical significance.