BIMCO survey sheds light on the effectiveness of anti-fouling systems

Published: 25 January 2022

In the autumn of 2021, BIMCO conducted a survey on biofouling to gather information from the industry with regard to anti-fouling systems (AFS) and the factors that trigger an underwater inspection or in-water cleaning. The results are out and provide useful insight into the biofouling management of shipowners, ship operators and ship managers. It also contains an analysis of user experiences, including the use of anti-fouling systems (AFS). The results of the survey will be fed into the work on biofouling management at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Biofouling is increasingly on the agenda at the IMO and for several national governments. As a result, the IMO’s Resolution MEPC.207(62) 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive species are being reviewed.

To do the review, an IMO correspondence group has been set up and BIMCO is taking an active part in this work. The subject will also be discussed in depth at the upcoming IMO Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) 9 sub-committee in April 2022.

The biofouling survey aims to gather real-life experiences on biofouling management, particularly regarding the use of anti-fouling systems, methods to assess the state of biofouling and removal of the accumulated biofouling from ships.

The survey conducted in the autumn of 2021 has provided useful insight into the above-mentioned areas and the results will be submitted to the IMO PPR 9 sub-committee. BIMCO will also use the results to build its argumentation that updated IMO Guidelines on biofouling management should take the existing infrastructure and practices of the shipping industry into consideration, and improve the existing guidelines in a way that does not unfairly affect any involved stakeholders.

BIMCO wishes to take this opportunity to thank the participants of the survey for their useful input.

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