What happens to ballast tanks when cargo tanks are full?

When cargo tanks are full, ballast tanks are typically empty. This is because the purpose of ballast tanks is to provide stability to the vessel by adjusting its weight distribution. When full, the cargo tanks mean that the ship has reached an optimal weight and stability point, allowing for the ballast tanks to be emptied or have reduced levels of water to maintain proper trim and balance. Proper management of ballast is crucial in ensuring vessel safety and performance during operations, especially when loading and unloading procedures are taking place.

Other options such as the ballast tanks being full, half-full, or cleaned are not standard procedures when cargo tanks are filled to capacity. Rather, the effective operation of these systems focuses on adjusting ballast based on the load conditions of the vessel to maintain stability.