0 (of a ship) not carrying any cargo (= goods), but with containers filled with sea water to add weight: --
A ship comes in with a cargo of 30,000 or 40,000 tons of oil and will go out in ballast and does not pay.
One trouble is that half our steamers are going out in ballast because they cannot get the necessary cargoes.
There was plenty of time, but they were not prepared to go out in ballast to lift these cargoes at a loss.
They often go one way in ballast, returning with cargo, or vice versa.
Since these will normally be in ballast, the scheme says, there will not be so much danger from pollution if there is a breakdown.
My sixth suggestion is that in no case should a ship be sent away in ballast.
Everyone knows the danger of sending ships out in ballast at certain times of the year.
All the above figures are exclusive of vessels in ballast.
