1 Introduction
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.207(62) – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species – (Adopted on 15 July 2011) - Annex – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species - 1 Introduction

1 Introduction

  1.1 In the adoption of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention), Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) made a clear commitment to minimizing the transfer of invasive aquatic species by shipping. Studies have shown that biofouling can also be a significant vector for the transfer of invasive aquatic species. Biofouling on ships entering the waters of States may result in the establishment of invasive aquatic species which may pose threats to human, animal and plant life, economic and cultural activities and the aquatic environment.

  1.2 While the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention) addresses anti-fouling systems on ships, its focus is on the prevention of adverse impacts from the use of anti-fouling systems and the biocides they may contain, rather than preventing the transfer of invasive aquatic species.

  1.3 The potential for invasive aquatic species transferred through biofouling to cause harm has been recognized by the IMO, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), several UNEP Regional Seas Conventions (e.g., Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Region Environmental Program (SPREP).

  1.4 All ships have some degree of biofouling, even those which may have been recently cleaned or had a new application of an anti-fouling coating system. Studies have shown that the biofouling process begins within the first few hours of a ship's immersion in water. The biofouling that may be found on a ship is influenced by a range of factors, such as follows:

  • .1 design and construction, particularly the number, location and design of niche areas;

  • .2 specific operating profile, including factors such as operating speeds, ratio of time underway compared with time alongside, moored or at anchor, and where the ship is located when not in use (e.g., open anchorage or estuarine port);

  • .3 places visited and trading routes; and

  • .4 maintenance history, including: the type, age and condition of any anti-fouling coating system, installation and operation of anti-fouling systems and dry-docking/slipping and hull cleaning practices.

  1.5 Implementing practices to control and manage biofouling can greatly assist in reducing the risk of the transfer of invasive aquatic species. Such management practices can also improve a ship's hydrodynamic performance and can be effective tools in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing air emissions from ships. This concept has been identified by the IMO in the "Guidance for the development of a ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP)" (MEPC.1/Circ.683).

  1.6 These Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (hereafter "the Guidelines") are intended to provide a globally consistent approach to the management of biofouling. As scientific and technological advances are made, the Guidelines will be refined to enable the risk to be more adequately addressed. Port States, flag States, coastal States and other parties that can assist in mitigating the problems associated with biofouling should exercise due diligence to implement the Guidelines to the maximum extent possible.

Parent topic: Annex – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species
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