The biggest risks arising from maritime transportation include the introduction of nonindigenous species, the spread of pathogens and diseases, and hazards from extreme weather events.
The biggest risks arising from maritime transportation include the introduction of nonindigenous species through ballast water and hull biofouling of ships, the spread of pathogens and diseases carried by ships and their infected vectors, and the hazards resulting from extreme weather events such as storms and sea-level rise.
Commercial shipping plays a major role in the transport and introduction of aquatic nonindigenous species, which can disrupt ecosystems and harm native species.
Additionally, ships can inadvertently carry microscopic pathogens or infected vectors to distant places, posing a risk of spreading diseases.
Lastly, maritime transportation faces hazards due to the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, which can lead to property damage, population dislocation, and environmental degradation.