SHIPPING industry group BIMCO has developed the first international standard for in-water cleaning to help protect the marine environment from pollution and the introduction of invasive species.

BIMCO, in partnership with the International Chamber of Shipping, hopes a successful trial project in 2021 – possibly in one of Australia’s major ports – will lead to formal adoption of the standard by the International Maritime Organisation and its incorporation into regulation by key countries in maritime trade.

BIMCO secretary general David Loosley said a working group of major shipowners, cleaners and  researchers had reviewed leading edge technology and practices over three years to develop an international minimum standard for in-water cleaning of marine vessels.

“The standard focuses on strengthening the biofouling management on ships and having approved cleaning companies is a major step forward in the protection of local marine environments when a ship is being cleaned during a port stay,” Mr Loosley said.

“If supported, it will significantly reduce the risk of pollution of our oceans with toxins and heavy metals from anti-fouling paints and the biological damage caused by introduction of invasive species.

“It will also help participating organisations by raising the minimum standard of in-water cleaning several notches higher and ensuring that the end result is both a clean ship and safe working practice.”

Mr Loosley said the working group had consulted shipping and environmental regulators around the world in developing the standard and provided input into the development of corresponding regulations.

“The shipping industry deals with a maze of different and often contradictory regulatory requirements relating to in-water cleaning around the world, making it difficult to maintain consistency from both a commercial and environmental perspective,” he said.

“We hope this industry-led standard will be taken on board by all countries involved on maritime trade and incorporated into their own regulations.”

He further hopes that the new industry standard and associated certification of approved hull-cleaning companies will result in more ports allowing in-water cleaning.

John Stawpert, manager (environment and trade) at the International Chamber of Shipping said the new industry standard established a benchmark for safe and environmentally sound underwater hull cleaning, an issue that was of increasing concern to the international community.

“We hope that this first step by industry bodies will allow cleaning companies to demonstrate that their products protect the marine environment, and that shipowners can be confident that their ships are cleaned to a safe and effective level around the world,” Mr Stawpert said.

“With these industry standards port authorities can also have confidence that underwater hull cleaning can be completed with minimal risk to the environment by independently approved cleaning companies working to proven high standards.

“Our aim is to provide the foundation for more ports to provide in-water cleaning services.”

The Industry Standard On In-Water Cleaning With Capture was developed by a coalition of companies and organisations including Akzo Nobel, BIMCO, C-Leanship, CMA Ships, DG Diving Group, Fleet Cleaner, Hapag-Lloyd, Hempel, HullWiper, International Association of Classification Societies, International Chamber of Shipping, Minerva Shipping, Portland Port (UK), Port of Rotterdam and PPG Coatings.

According to the standard, at least 90% of the macro fouling must be captured by the cleaning company, and effluent water coming back into the sea will have removed organisms that are larger than 10 micrometres.

The standard details planning, the documentation and assessment part of the operation, as well as the actual cleaning, the management of the effluent – the water involved in the cleaning – including the capture of particles, before it is released back into the sea.

The standard also includes:

Criteria for the cleanliness of water pumped back to sea

Methods to help shipowners act before the biofouling growth and coverage become severe

An approval procedure for cleaning companies

Minimum reporting requirements

Minimum requirements for an inspection, service and cleaning reports

The Industry Standard on In-Water Cleaning with Capture is available on the BIMCO and ICS websites.