The IMO’s Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee has finalized comprehensive guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling, aimed at helping shipowners, charterers, operators, crews, and cleaning service providers conduct safe and environmentally responsible operations.
Key Highlights of the Guidance
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- Proactive Cleaning: Prevents biofouling by removing microfouling before macrofouling attaches
- Reactive Cleaning: Removes existing micro- and macrofouling as a corrective measure
- Covers various cleaning technologies, including diver-operated and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)
- Environmental Protection & Waste Capture
- Focuses on waste capture to prevent the release of coating substances and non-native organisms
- Aligns with the 2023 Biofouling Guidelines
Future Developments & Next Steps
- Testing & Standardization
- Developing compatibility testing between cleaning systems and different coating types
- Establishing minimum performance standards for cleaning systems
- Improving inspection methods to assess the need for in-water cleaning
- Legal & Regulatory Framework
- The guidance is expected to be approved by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in April 2025
- Members will be invited to provide feedback on its implementation
- MEPC will also consider a legally binding framework to control and manage biofouling, aimed at minimizing the transfer of invasive aquatic species
This initiative marks a significant step toward environmentally sustainable ship maintenance and the protection of marine ecosystems while ensuring regulatory compliance in global shipping operations.
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Source: BIMCO
