THE Japan Ship Technology Research Association (JSTRA) is the latest entity to join the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety, a platform for industry collaboration set up under IMO’s GloFouling Partnerships project.
The GIA brings together committed leaders from maritime, shipping, ocean energy, aquaculture and other ocean-based industries, to support two key International Maritime Organization environmental objectives via improved biofouling management: protect marine biodiversity and decarbonise shipping.
The alliance will hold its eighth meeting in October. GIA members are to discuss ongoing activities, including producing an awareness raising animation; developing a report exploring port perspectives related to biofouling management.
Biofouling is the accumulation of micro-organisms, plants, algae, or small animals on ships’ hull and other wetted surfaces. In addition to the irreversible affects it can have for marine biodiversity by introducing potentially invasive aquatic species into new environments, biofouling also increases the drag of ships, forcing them to burn more fuel to maintain speed and contribute to the higher GHG emissions.
JSTRA is engaged in strategic research and development activities to enhance the international competitiveness and technology base of the Japanese shipbuilding and shipping industries, and to respond to technical issues being faced by these industries, including logistical efficiency, safety assurance and environmental conservation issues.
JSTRA chairman Seiichi Tanaka said, “We regard regulations, standards and research and development activities as our trinity, whereby we provide an integrated maritime cluster (platform) where members from shipping industry, government (inspection organisations and other government agencies) and academia come together as one; and drive initiatives regarding new regulations and standards, and research and development activities to enhance international competitiveness.”
GloFouling Partnerships will be holding its 2nd research and development Forum and Exhibition on Biofouling Prevention and Management for Maritime Industries at IMO headquarters in London 11-14 October 2022.
The forum will bring together regulatory bodies, academia, leading scientific experts, technology developers, and representatives from maritime industries such as shipping; ports and harbours; aquaculture and fishing; offshore oil and gas; deep-sea mining; and ocean renewable energy, for a comprehensive overview of this rapidly expanding area of research and development of technologies.
