Biofouling is the build-up of aquatic organisms on a ship’s underwater hull and structures. It can be responsible for introducing potentially invasive non-native aquatic species to new environments and can also slow a ship down and impact negatively on its energy efficiency. Anti-fouling paints are used to coat the bottoms of ships to prevent biofouling. IMO’s Anti-Fouling Systems Convention, which has been in force for more than ten years, prohibits the use of harmful organotins in anti-fouling paints and establishes a mechanism to prevent the potential future use of other harmful substances in anti-fouling systems.
An IMO workshop in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (21-23 November) has helped provide a greater understanding of the requirements and implications of ratifying, implementing and enforcing this convention and implementing guidelines on how biofouling should be controlled and managed. The workshop was attended by 35 participants from 11 countries* and is part of IMO’s continuing efforts to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals - in particular SDG 14, on the oceans.
*Benin, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo.