The control of harmful anti-fouling systems is on the agenda at a national workshop, led by IMO, in Dar es Salaam, the United Republic of Tanzania (14-15 October). Since the adoption of the convention prohibiting the use of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships (AFS Convention) in 2001, IMO has been holding national and regional workshops to encourage and assist countries in the ratification of the convention and in the development of relevant national legislation. As a result, the number of States signing up to the convention continues to rise, thereby improving protection of both the marine environment and workers involved in the maintenance of ships' hulls.
Environmentally-sound practices for the disposal of waste generated in applying and removing anti-fouling systems will also be presented and discussed at the workshop, which is being run by IMO’s Markus Helavuori, Marine Environment Division, and a team of consultants.