0 (of a ship) not carrying any cargo (= goods), but with containers filled with sea water to add weight:
It is not the case that ships are sent out in ballast when suitable cargoes are available.
It is better that we should take out goods to where they can be used than that ships should go out in ballast.
Let us make sure that some products that we have available go back in the same ships, instead of sending the ships back in ballast.
I do not think that either of these arguments conforms to the usual practice throughout the world, particularly in the case of ships in ballast.
However, it is necessary to open the valves in order to take in ballast.
You have got to send your ships in ballast to fetch it.
It is true that the vessels may be in ballast at the time, but they are still capable of causing considerable pollution.
All the above figures are exclusive of vessels in ballast.
