Speakers
Biofouling Management: Regulatory & Implementation Practicalities
The procedure for the implementation and uptake of the 2023 Biofouling guidelines will not be uniformly applied across the world. There are specific regional requirements set by governments and regional organisations, different Port State Control interpretations and ultimately, a mixture of mandatory measures (regionally enforced) and non-mandatory guidelines as provided by the IMO.
INTERTANKO has discussed the implementation of these guidelines and how it has been on a wholesale or partial basis with very little consistency, leading to discrepancies and uncertainties onboard. The aim is for these difficulties to be avoided during the development of the in-water cleaning guidelines.
With these guidelines being a supplementary document to the 2023 Biofouling guidelines, a key area of their implementation is the notion of in-water cleaning and the services provided by ports and terminals. Without consistency, the crew and Port State Control Officers would be subject to further communication issues across the number of further mandatory environmental regulations that have been introduced in recent times.
With shipowners focusing on the mandatory implications of CII, EU ETS and Fuel EU, environmental regulations and guidelines still play a pivotal role in day-to-day operations. Of key concern to INTERTANKO Members is the need for uniformity and consistency across the developing regulations, with overlap and confliction within the current framework causing further issues. While INTERTANKO Members adhere to all these requirements, the non-uniform nature complicates a trade where there is irregular and dynamic routing.