BIMCO launches survey to highlight biofouling management

Biofouling is getting increasing attention and so pressure for biofouling management is mounting. In response, BIMCO is launching a survey to gain insight into how shipowners are managing the topic.

Biofouling management is an important issue for several reasons. Fouling on a ship’s hull significantly reduces hydrodynamic performance and increases fuel consumption. Furthermore, biofouling impacts ships’ emissions and potentially transfers invasive species.

The industry has recently seen local and regional regulation that mandates the use of a biofouling management plan. One example is New Zealand, where all ships arriving in the country from 1 May 2018, are required to have a clean hull in accordance with the Craft Risk Management Standard for Biofouling (CRMS). Australia and the Unites States have also announced their own regulation covering biofouling management.

How do you manage biofouling?

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is currently working to address how to improve biofouling management. In order to advise the IMO on how shipowners are managing biofouling, BIMCO is launching a survey and strongly encourages its members to participate by using this link: BIMCO’s Biofouling Survey 2018

What is BIMCO doing?

In response to growing concerns over the impact of hull biofouling on the marine environment, BIMCO and a group of industry partners have set out to create an internationally recognised standard on underwater hull and propeller cleaning.

The group consists of eight different organisations, including paint manufacturers, ship owners and cleaning companies taking a holistic approach to establish an international standard that will work in practice. The standard is expected to be finalised in the autumn of 2019.

BIMCO has also produced a Hull Fouling Clause for Time Charter Parties, which sets out the physical circumstances and the point in time when the responsibility for hull fouling passes from the owners to the charterers when an extended period of idleness is due to charterers’ orders.

For more information visit: www.bimco.org

19th November 2018