GloNoise Project Extended To Strengthen Global Efforts Against Underwater Noise Pollution

The GloNoise Partnership for Mitigation of Underwater Noise from Shipping has officially been extended until December 2026. This decision, endorsed during the Mid-term Project Board meeting on 15 July 2025, underscores the global community’s ongoing commitment to tackling underwater radiated noise (URN) from ships—a growing concern for marine ecosystems.

With representatives from nine countries, the IMO, UNDP, and various stakeholders, the meeting reviewed project progress and approved future plans to enhance URN reduction efforts through research, policy reforms, and regional cooperation.

National Leadership Driving URN Reduction Initiatives

Several participating countries showcased significant advancements in addressing underwater noise pollution:

• Argentina is coordinating two expert groups focusing on hydroacoustics and ship design to improve propeller efficiency and engine insulation, while also building a national URN data repository.

• Chile is integrating URN considerations into marine spatial planning and aligning its monitoring systems across various national agencies.

• Costa Rica is enhancing regional collaboration by organizing multi-stakeholder workshops and emphasizing peer learning among Latin American nations.

• India is adopting the GloNoise toolkit into its port and coastal planning efforts and building academic partnerships to strengthen monitoring capacity.

• South Africa, through ‘Operation Phakisa’, is engaging fisheries, academia, and indigenous groups to pilot real-time noise measurement tools and promote regional data exchange.

• Trinidad and Tobago is focusing on youth education and public awareness, and is pushing for tailored solutions for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean.

These efforts reflect a shared understanding of the ecological and policy challenges posed by URN, and the need for cross-sectoral action.

GloNoise Partnership: A Model for International Collaboration

The GloNoise Partnership, spearheaded by the IMO, UNDP, and GEF, provides a comprehensive framework to address underwater noise from shipping. The project operates through four main pillars:

• Developing tools and policy analysis to guide national and regional strategies.

• Building capacity in developing countries to implement effective noise mitigation actions.

• Facilitating partnerships across regions and sectors to support innovation and knowledge-sharing.

• Ensuring adaptive learning through continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms.

With six Lead Pilot Countries (Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, India, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago) and three Twinning Partner Countries (Georgia, Madagascar, and Malaysia), GloNoise serves as a pioneering example of how global partnerships can generate practical, science-based solutions for environmental challenges.

The extension of the GloNoise Partnership until 2026 reflects a strong and growing international resolve to mitigate underwater noise pollution and protect marine biodiversity. By fostering national innovation, regional collaboration, and global knowledge exchange, the initiative not only addresses the immediate threats of URN but also lays the groundwork for sustainable maritime practices well into the future.