Tag: biofouling

The BWM treaty entered into force in September 2017. This landmark step was recognized at the latest meeting of the Inter-agency Liaison Group on Invasive Alien Species, which held its 8th session in Brussels, Belgium, 22-23 November.

DNV GL focuses on biofouling, which sees an increasing interest from the industry, as it can be a significant risk for marine environment. While there are no immediate proposals for regulation on the table at the IMO, new regulations are in place or developing in various countries. 

An IMarEST workshop on practical biofouling management strategies was conducted in Melbourne, Australia, on 12-15 September. Biofouling is defined as the undesirable accumulation of aquatic organisms like, plants, algae and animals on ships’ hulls, which pose at risk the conservation of biodiversity. 

With effect from October 1, 2017  all vessels will have to submit a completed “Marine Invasive Species Program Annual Vessel Reporting Form” at least twenty four hours in advance of the first arrival of the calendar year at a California port.

The California State Lands Commission sent a Final Letter to interested parties, informing that the new biofouling regulations become effective on 1st October 2017. These regulations adopt a new annual vessel reporting form and require development of a biofouling management plan and related recordkeeping. 

A new global project aiming to help protect marine ecosystems from the negative effects of invasive aquatic species has been given the go-ahead for preparation, according to IMO. The GloFouling Partnerships project will focus on the implementation of the IMO Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling.

AMSA issued a Marine Notice to provide general information on the revised 2015 Anti-fouling and In-water Cleaning Guidelines for Australia and New Zealand, and the IMO's 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling, to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.  

IMO announced that conducted a national workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on 25-27 April, focusing on biofouling and, specifically, raising awareness of the issues and developed capacity for the ratification and implementation of the anti-fouling Systems Convention and the implementation of the Biofouling Guidelines.

Fleet Cleaner and OH Ship Cleaning announced that have recently realized in water cleaning of the hull of the ‘Vlieborg’ vessel from Wagenborg, using hull cleaning robot, in the Port of Rotterdam. The Vlieborg was heavily fouled with slime and algae, which were all removed from the hull and captured by the installation.

Environmentalists are calling on IMO to investigate the use of tin in silicone-based foul release systems and other ships hull coatings, due to the increased concern for the re-emergence of organotin in marine hull coatings. While use of the organotin tributyltin was outlawed as an active biocide almost ten years ago, IMO is claimed to “have left the door open” for tin as a catalyst.