Assessment of technology options for ballast water treatment onboard merchant ships based on information axioms under fuzzy environment

This paper quantitatively evaluates the ballast water treatment technologies such as filtration and hydrocyclonic separation systems, biocides, heat treatment, ultraviolet light, ultrasound, magnetic treatment, ozone, pulse plasma, deoxygenation, ballast tank coating, and chemical treatment in order to investigate the techno-commercial feasibility of them for shipboard installation. In problem modeling stages under fuzzy environment, initiating of functional requirements over main attributes like safety, biological effectiveness, environmental acceptability, status of technology, cost, and etc. based on information axioms ensure great prospectus for decision-makers. The outcomes of this research contribute the shipping managers to decide on suitable marine technology options in accordance with the maritime legislatives and other critical constraints.