【Regulation】Updated IMO Biofouling Guideline

IMO has adopted ’The 2023 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (Biofouling Guidelines) '（Hereafter call 2023 Biofouling Guideline) in MEPC80 on July 2023. 

There was a biofouling guideline ’MEPC.207(62),
the 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the
transfer of invasive aquatic species’ which was revoked with the adoption of the 2023 Biofouling Guideline.

Please be noted followings for 2023 Biofouling Guideline.

• As before, this guideline is positioned as recommendations, not mandatory. 
• On the other hand, Australia, New Zealand, and the State of California in the U.S. require a Biofouling Management Plan (BFMP) based on the IMO Biofouling Guideline and record-keeping, which is a de facto mandatory requirement for vessels calling at ports in those countries/states.  Although some vessels that do not have a BFMP may be allowed to call ports by implementing alternative measures, many vessels comply with the Biofouling Regulations by implementing a BFMP due to cost and time considerations.
• In New Zealand, the 2023 Biofouling Guideline has already been taken into account in the country's Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for Biofouling, which was updated on October 13, 2023. If you intend to bring your vessel into compliance with the New Zealand CRMS by implementing a BFMP, we recommend that you review your vessel's BFMP to ensure that it is based on the 2023 Guideline.
• In Australia and California, measures based on the 2011 Biofouling Guideline have been required for some time, and there is no mention yet of the application of the 2023 version. We will inform you of any future changes to the law as they become available.

Please refer to the following link for details. The 2011 IMO Guidelines are also attached for your reference.

IMO Biofoulingに関する解説

2023 Biofouling Guideline

New Zealand CRMS