According to new research sponsored by the IMO, biofouling by microorganisms and barnacles can add up to 55% to a ship’s GHG emissions through reducing fuel efficiency as reported by Ship & Bunker.
GHG emissions
The IMO stated in an emailed statement on Thursday that preliminary findings of the Impact of Ships’ Biofouling on Greenhouse Gas Emissions research presented at COP 26 this week reveal the shipping industry overestimated the effect.
According to the report, a 0.5 mm layer of biofilm covering 50% of the hull of a 175 m bulk carrier can cause a 25% increase in emissions, a 2.5 mm layer of barnacles with 10% coverage on a 230 m container ship can cause a 34% increase and a 5 mm layer of barnacles with 1% coverage on a 320 m tanker can cause a 55% increase.
In February 2022, the full report will be released.
The UN on GHG emission
“The International Maritime Organization has approved a number of legally-binding ship design and operational performance benchmarks that must be met by individual boats to minimise GHG emissions from the maritime industry,” the UN body stated in a statement.
“The goal is to ensure that shipowners investigate options to increase their vessels’ efficiency throughout their lives.”
“The report emphasises the significance of proper biofouling management. It demonstrates how the perceived impact of biofouling has likely been underestimated by the shipping community in the past.”
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Source: Ship & Bunker
