Speakers
Biofouling Management: Regulatory Development & Technology
In-Water Cleaning (IWC) is a low-hanging fruit for any ship owner aiming to become more sustainable, and should be an obvious part of any ship’s routine activities. However, very few conduct IWC on a regular basis. The main reasons for the lack of IWC are not a lack of technological development within IWC, or a lack of IWC service providers. Rather, the main reasons are arguably a lack of knowledge as well as a lack of comprehensive biofouling management policies.
An ISO standard under development aims to address these challenges. ISO 6319 describes the IWC process, including all relevant aspects such as preparations, the assessment of the hull prior to the IWC operation, the cleaning operation itself and post-cleaning processes. The standard will provide knowledge about how IWC may be conducted in a safe and environmentally sound way. Since ISO 6319 provides methods for the documentation of the IWC operation, it will assist ports and local authorities in regulating IWC, and help to assure shipowners that cleaning services are performed according to a specific standard regardless of location. ISO 6319 aims to provide a level playing field for a range of stakeholders including ports, IWC service providers, coating manufacturers and shipowners.
ISO 6319 aligns with, and supplements, the 2023 IMO Biofouling Guidelines, and the ISO is also a member of the correspondence group currently developing the “Guidance on matters relating to in-water cleaning” at the IMO.
