On a double hull ship, ballast water is permitted only in which tanks?

• A. Inside tanks
• B. Outside tanks
• C. Ballast center tanks
• D. Cargo tanks

Answer: (B)

On a double hull design, ballast water is stored in the outside ballast tanks—the spaces between the inner and outer hulls. This arrangement keeps ballast separate from the cargo tanks, protecting cargo from contamination and meeting safety and environmental requirements. Using inside tanks would place ballast in or near cargo areas, risking contamination; ballast center tanks aren’t the designated ballast spaces in this configuration; and cargo tanks are reserved for carrying cargo, not ballast.