MERC is a State of Maryland and U.S. Maritime Administration initiative that provides test facilities, expertise, information, and decision tools to address key environmental issues facing the international maritime industry. Our current primary focus is to evaluate the mechanical and biological efficacy, environmental safety, and logistical aspects of innovations to prevent invasive species through commercial shipping and innovative approaches to sustainable urban waterfronts.

1. MERC Services:
2. – Provide technology developers/vendors with facilities and expertise for evaluating ballast water treatment, in-water cleaning systems and other environmental innovations.
3. – Provide regulatory agencies and classification societies with standardized third-party data on system performance.
4. – Provide ship builders and shipping lines with information and decision tools to select the most appropriate treatment options.
5. – Provide information and resources for Green Shipping and Sustainable Urban Waterfront efforts on the Chesapeake Bay, throughout the US, and around the world.