BIMCO has launched a survey to find out the real picture on the methods ship owners and operators are using for the treatment of biofouling, and the performance of the various methods on different ships and over varying time periods.
Aron Sørensen, Chief Marine Technical Officer at BIMCO, who is leading the study, said: “We believe there is a lack of collective knowledge on biofouling management and treatment practices in the shipping industry. BIMCO would like to build a clearer picture of practice and performance for biofouling management, and how current antifouling technologies are performing on various ship types. We will use and share the outcome to work on the industry’s behalf to highlight any issues of concern. Once analysed, the survey result could form the basis for a BIMCO submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).”
| Biofouling means the attachment or association of marine organisms to the wetted portions of a vessel including sea chests, propellers, anchors, and other niche areas. |
The International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention) prohibits the use of listed harmful substances in anti-fouling paints used on ships and establishes a mechanism to potentially prevent the future use of other substances in anti-fouling systems should they be classified as harmful.
While the AFS Convention addresses anti-fouling systems on ships, its focus is on the prevention of a direct adverse impact on the environment from the use of anti-fouling systems and the biocides they may contain, rather than preventing transfer of invasive aquatic species. Consequently IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) developed and adopted a set of Guidelines in July 2011 for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize transfer of invasive aquatic species.
The Guidelines can be found in Resolution MEPC.207 (62) entitled “2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species”.
The aim of the Guidelines is to provide a globally consistent approach to managing biofouling reduction by providing useful recommendations on general measures to minimize risks associated with biofouling e.g. corrosion, clogging, and decrease in the efficiency of moving parts for all types of ships. Such reduction makes sense from an environmental protection point of view as well as a means to reduce oil consumption however, a number of countries have adopted unilateral regulation on hull husbandry prohibition thus making hull cleaning and in service anti-fouling maintenance very difficult or impossible.
More knowledge about biofouling management, and performance antifouling technologies of are therefore needed.
The survey deadline is 21 November 2014
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