Adhere to the Latest Environmental Regulations and Guidance with Witherbys’ Recently Updated Titles

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has a keen focus on minimising the negative impact of the maritime sector on the quality of the global environment. A vital part of this work includes establishing the practical measures ships can take to ensure they do not contribute to the issue further, alongside ensuring the safety of the ship itself and all on board. National requirements are also very important and contribute significantly to local improvements in environmental quality.

The mix of national and international environmental regulations and guidance can be daunting and the pressure to reduce the environmental impact of the shipping industry will continue in the years to come. To ensure that ships have access to the latest national and international requirements, Witherbys has recently produced a new publication and updated two essential titles.

Biofouling Management

Biofouling is defined by the IMO as "the accumulation of aquatic organisms such as microorganisms, plants and animals on surfaces and structures immersed in or exposed to the aquatic environment." While this growth is a natural and normal process, it can have a negative impact on manmade immersed structures.

The buildup of biofouling can have a significant impact on ship hydrodynamics and energy efficiency, as well as interfere with efficient operation of internal seawater systems. It can also threaten the marine environment through the transfer of non-native invasive species, or through the use of anti-fouling systems containing certain toxic substances.

The second edition of 'Biofouling, Biosecurity and Hull Cleaning' identifies ship structures that are vulnerable to biofouling, factors affecting the rate of buildup and the effect of biofouling on performance and operating costs.

The publication looks in detail at biofouling management, including the use of biocidal and non-biocidal paints and coatings, corrosion, marine growth prevention systems, in-water cleaning and

treatment in dry dock. It briefly discusses several examples of environmental research initiatives into the effects of biofouling.

The publication sets out current biofouling legislative requirements, including the IMO's recently revised 2023 Biofouling Guidelines, updates to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention), and individual national and regional biofouling legislation. It provides templates for the Biofouling Management Plan and the Biofouling Record Book from the updated 2023 Biofouling Guidelines.

Finally, it provides a selection of data sheets summarising the services offered and the area of operation of hull cleaning and inspection companies worldwide. This section includes world maps to enable readers to quickly identify companies operating in particular geographic regions.

For more information, up-to-date best practice and biofouling guidelines, refer to 'Biofouling, Biosecurity and Hull Cleaning, 2nd Edition' published by Witherbys, BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping.

Out Now:

'Biofouling, Biosecurity and Hull Cleaning, 2nd Edition'

Available at: https://shop.witherbys.com/biofouling-biosecurity-...

Ballast Water Management

Water has been used as ballast to stabilise ships and reduce pressure on the hull since the introduction of steel-hulled ships. Ballast water is essential to ensuring the safety and efficiency of many shipping operations today. However, the unintended consequence of ballasting water has been the transfer of non-indigenous aquatic organisms to new environments where they have caused severe economic and environmental problems.

National and international requirements to control the spread of non-indigenous aquatic species through the management of ballast water by ballast water exchange (BWE) have been in effect in most regions and ports for many years. The International Convention for the Control and

Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) entered into force on

8th September 2017. As of August 2024, there were 97 contracting States to the BWM Convention, representing approximately 93.73% of the world’s merchant shipping tonnage.

The BWM Convention has been fully in effect for five years. Between 8th September 2019 and 8th September 2024, all applicable existing ships have had to comply with the D-2 standard by the ship's next International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate renewal date. More in- depth PSC inspections, in particular checking BWMS documentation, maintenance and operation, have been predicted to take place after 8th September 2024. The grace-period of the Experience Building Phase, to prevent penalisation for the discharge of non-compliant ballast water, will continue until September 2026. However, penalties can still be issued for failures in other areas of BWM.

Now in its fifteenth edition, 'Ballast Water Management' by Witherbys includes information about the latest BWM Convention updates and will ensure that your ship is adhering to the latest regulations by providing accessible and easy to understand information. The book also includes recent updates to ballast water requirements from the IMO:

- A chapter covering recently adopted IMO interim guidance on how to deal with ballasting in challenging water quality (CWQ) conditions, which is particularly useful to ship’s crew when BWMS fail. It emphasises the importance of clear and practical assistance for crew in the ballast water management plan (BWMP)

- a new section on the IMO ‘Guidance for the temporary storage of treated sewage and/ or grey water in ballast water tanks’ approved at MEPC 81 in the spring of 2024 - an updated regulatory chapter to include other decisions made at MEPC 81.

To learn more about the latest international and regional legislation regarding Ballast Water Management, please refer to 'Ballast Water Management, 15th Edition' published by Witherbys.

Out Now:

'Ballast Water Management, 15th Edition'

Available at : https://shop.witherbys.com/ballast-water-management-15th-edition- understanding-the-regulations-treatment-technologies-and-practical-operation/

The United States is not party to the BWM Convention and its ballast water regulations. More information on the requirements for managing ballast water in US waters can be found in the Witherbys publication, 'US Ballast Water Management Regulations' which was released in March 2024.

'US Ballast Water Management Regulations'

Order here: https://shop.witherbys.com/us-ballast-water-management-regulations/

MEPC 82 took place on September 29th 2024 in London, where issues significant to the maritime industry were discussed and actioned. You can read the 'Key Outcomes' article by our Senior Technical Editor, Linda Churcher, in our Shipping Regulations & Guidance Newsletter by signing up here.