Following the release of the first industry standard on in-water cleaning of ships, developed by BIMCO and ICS, IMO asked to include it in its on-going work.
Specifically, the standard has been submitted to support IMO’s work on the review of the Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.
In light of the situation, IMO suggests that the standard should be included in the Organization’s review of the 2011 “Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling” in order to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (resolution MEPC.207(62))
“The industry standard will help to ensure that the in-water cleaning of a ship’s hull, and niche areas including the propeller, can be carried out safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way.”….BIMCO stated.
In its ongoing review of its guidelines on biofouling management, the IMO has decided to strengthen the part describing in-water cleaning.
The Industry standard on in-water cleaning with capture, and its accompanying explanatory notes, represent the best management practice available today and it can therefore be of valuable support to the ongoing work at the IMO.
The IMO guidelines on biofouling management are relevant for shipowners as part of their sustainability commitment to promote environmentally responsible operations.
Therefore, ships will have to follow these guidelines when they are calling at New Zealand, Australia and the US, where the IMO guidelines on biofouling have formed the foundation for local legislation. The new proposal will help to make the IMO guidelines more practicable and more to the point than they are today.
