3 Performance measures
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Marine Environment Protection Committee - MEPC.1/Circular.811 – Guidance for Evaluating the 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species – (13 June 2013) - Annex – Guidance for Evaluating the 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species - 3 Performance measures

3 Performance measures

  3.1 Performance measures can help to evaluate whether the 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species are improving biofouling management practice in the maritime industry, and thereby reducing the likelihood of invasive aquatic species being transferred through ships' biofouling. It is not considered feasible at this time to directly measure the environmental benefits of the Guidelines, i.e. to assess whether the Guidelines result in fewer biological invasions by aquatic species as a result of transfer via biofouling of ships.

  3.2 The following types of performance measures could be used to help evaluate the different recommendations in the Guidelines:

  • .1 Awareness and dissemination of the Guidelines – have the Guidelines been disseminated to relevant parties and are they aware of the Guidelines?

  • .2 Impediments to implementation of the Guidelines – are there any omissions and errors with the Guidelines that need to be corrected and/or are appropriate facilities and tools available to effectively implement the Guidelines?

  • .3 Application of the Guidelines – is there evidence of use of the Guidelines?

  • .4 Change in level of biofouling – is there evidence of changes in the level of biofouling from in-water or dry-dock inspections and/or data on the net benefits from managing biofouling?

  • .5 Extent of research and development – what research and technology development, related to the Guidelines, is available?

  3.3 Performance measures for the different components of the Guidelines are outlined in table 1. Each performance measure consists of the criteria being considered, an indicator for the criteria and a goal that the Guidelines are trying to achieve. Note that the "Year(s)" column in table 1 refers to the year following implementation when information is likely to be available for the relevant performance measure. Table 2 outlines a questionnaire that could be used to provide a uniform, but voluntary, approach to collecting information.

  3.4 In collecting information for performance measures it is useful to collect information not only on progress towards the specified goal but also information on why a particular goal is or is not being achieved. This would help the Sub-Committee to determine if actions, such as modifying the Guidelines, are required.

  3.5 The high level goal across all performance measures is to see an increase in the uptake of the recommendations of the Guidelines over time.

Table 1: Performance measures

Part 1: Awareness and dissemination of the Guidelines
  Criteria Indicator Goal Year(s)
1.1 The Guidelines, or communications based on the Guidelines, have been disseminated to: shipowners and operators and shipping agents; maintenance/recycling facility owners and operators; in-water inspection and cleaning service providers; ship designers, naval architects and builders; anti-fouling coating companies; Harbour Masters; and organizations involved in maritime/seafarer education and training. Number and proportion of Member States and Recognized Organizations that have disseminated the Guidelines or communications based on the Guidelines. Most Member States and Recognized Organizations have disseminated the Guidelines or communications based on the Guidelines. Year 1
Year 2
1.2 The following are known to be aware of, and understand the Guidelines: shipowners and operators and shipping agents; maintenance/recycling facility owners and operators; in-water inspection and cleaning service providers; ship designers, naval architects and builders; anti-fouling coating companies; Harbour Masters; and organizations involved in maritime/seafarer education and training. Number and proportion of ships/facilities/etc. that are known to be aware of the Guidelines. Most ships/ facilities are aware of the Guidelines. Year 1
Year 2
1.3 Biofouling management is known to be included in relevant training and education programmes for: shipowners and operators and shipping agents; maintenance/recycling facility owners and operators; in-water inspection and cleaning providers; ship designers, naval architects and builders; anti-fouling coating companies; Harbour Masters; and organizations involved in maritime/seafarer education and training. Number and proportion of known relevant training and education programmes that include biofouling management content. Most relevant programmes include biofouling management content. Year 2
Year 3
1.4 Member States are notifying the Organization of other measures being applied for biofouling management. For example, national regulations or emergency measures. Information related to other biofouling management measures being applied by Member States is being provided to, and disseminated by, the Organization. Member States and the maritime industry are aware of other biofouling management measures being undertaken by IMO Member States. Year 3
Year 4

Part 2: Impediments to implementation of the Guidelines
  Criteria Indicator Goal Year(s)
2.1 The Guidelines can be implemented by: shipowners and operators; maintenance/recycling facilities; in-water inspection and cleaning providers; and ship designers, naval architects and builders. Feasibility issues, omissions and errors are identified in the use of the Guidelines. Feasibility issues, omissions and errors are addressed in the review and revision of the Guidelines. Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Number and proportion of ships/facilities/etc. that have indicated lack of facilities or tools as reasons for not aligning their practices with the Guidelines. Availability of facilities and tools addressed through market demand and research initiatives. Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
2.2 Use of the Guidelines does not present a safety issue for: ship's crew; maintenance and recycling workers; in-water service providers; and any other entities directly applying the Guidelines. Any safety issues or concerns raised by use of the Guidelines are identified in the use of the Guidelines. Safety issues are addressed in the review and revision of the Guidelines. Year 2
Year 3

Part 3: Application of the Guidelines
  Criteria Indicator Goal Year(s)
3.1 Ships have biofouling management plans and are maintaining biofouling record books or equivalent documentation. Number and proportion of ships known to have biofouling management plans and maintaining biofouling management record books. Most ships have biofouling management plans and record books. Year 1
Year 2
3.2 Ships are conducting the following activities in line with the Guidelines:
- in-water inspections
- in-water cleaning, if appropriate. 		Number and proportion of ships known to be conducting in-water inspections and, if appropriate, in-water cleaning. Most ships are conducting in-water inspections, and in-water cleaning, if appropriate. Year 2
Year 3
3.3 Facilities are adopting appropriate measures for capture of waste. Number and proportion of facilities that have waste capture measures in place aligned with the Guidelines. Most facilities have adopted appropriate waste capture measures. Year 2
Year 3
3.4 The following are known to have practices that follow, or are aligned with, the Guidelines: shipowners and operators and shipping agents; maintenance/recycling facility owners and operators; in-water inspection and cleaning providers; ship designers, naval architects and builders; anti-fouling coating companies; and organizations involved in maritime/seafarer education and training. Evidence that practices follow, or are substantially aligned with the Guidelines. Most ships, facilities, etc. are implementing the Guidelines. Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
3.5 In-water cleaning technologies are able to capture most of the macrofouling debris from in-water cleaning. Number and availability of in-water cleaning technologies that incorporate capture of debris for all ship types. In-water technologies, able to capture most of the macrofouling debris, are widely available and sufficient to meet demand. Year 2
Year 3
3.6 The Guidelines are being taken into account by Member States that apply other measures for biofouling management. For example, national regulations or emergency measures. Whether other biofouling measures take into account the Guidelines. All other biofouling management measures take into account the Guidelines. Year 2
Year 3

Part 4: Change in level of biofouling
  Criteria Indicator Goal Year(s)
4.1 Ships are maintaining submerged surfaces and internal seawater cooling systems in accordance with the Guidelines to ensure they are as free of biofouling as is practical. Number and proportion of ships known to have submerged hull surfaces that are as free of biofouling as is practical. Most ships, adhering to the Guidelines, have submerged hull surfaces as free of biofouling as is practical. Year 3
  Number and proportion of ships known to have niche areas and internal seawater cooling systems that are as free of biofouling as is practical. Most ships, adhering to the Guidelines have niche areas and internal seawater cooling systems as free of biofouling as is practical.  
    The effectiveness of control measures applied are evaluated at dry dock. The effectiveness of measures is verified. Year 3
Year 4
    Net costs attributable to implementing the Guidelines (i.e. cost minus benefit, e.g. reduced fuel consumption) as a % of total operating costs. Net costs attributable to implementing the Guidelines are understood. Year 2
Year 3
4.2 Indirect or consequential benefits obtained from implementing the Guidelines. Any known indirect or consequential benefits (such as proven reduced GHG emissions or improved energy efficiency) from the use of the recommendations in the Guidelines. Indirect or consequential benefits of implementing the Guidelines are understood. Year 3

Part 5: Research and Development
  Criteria Indicator Goal Year(s)
5.1 Research and development of technologies to improve biofouling management is being undertaken. Information on research and technology development, relevant to the Guidelines, can be identified. Current status of research and technology development, relevant to the Guidelines, is understood. Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
5.2 Research into the indirect or consequential benefits of implementing the Guidelines is being undertaken. Research into indirect or consequential benefits of implementing the Guidelines can be identified. Indirect or consequential benefits of implementing the Guidelines are understood. Year 3
Year 4
Parent topic: Annex – Guidance for Evaluating the 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species
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