IMO-NORAD TEST Biofouling project

We are excited to share that IMO-NORAD TEST Biofouling project with its sister-project GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships will be hosting an Asia-Pacific Women in Maritime - Biofouling Management Workshop following the 3rd Global Project Task Force of the GloFouling Partnerships Project meeting in Bali, Indonesia on 13 March. This workshop will bring together experts from various sectors, including women associations, WIMA Indonesia, WIMA Philippines, WISTA International, PACWIMA, government, industry, and academia, to tackle important topics around gender equality in the maritime and biofouling sectors. The workshop will feature discussions on best practices from the government, technology, engineering, and academia sectors to strengthen and replicate gender diversity initiatives. Participants will explore the role of men in gender mainstreaming and their contributions to driving change. Key challenges, available opportunities, and potential solutions for fostering greater inclusivity in the sector will also be highlighted. This workshop promises to be a meaningful exchange about advancing gender equality and inclusivity across sectors. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting event! International Maritime Organization, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships, UNDP, Global Environment Facility, World Maritime University, WISTA International WIMA Indonesia, WIMA Philippines, PacWIMA

Ships unknowingly transport invasive species, endangering marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal economies. Yet, progress is being made, innovative solutions and global collaboration are addressing this crisis. Watch the short documentary below, developed by the Global Industry Alliance for Marine Biosafety under our sister project, the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships. International Maritime Organization, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, MTCC Caribbean MTCC Africa MTCC Latin America, Amelia Bola

What a highlight of 2024 this was! Take a look at the video of the 5-day event organized by our sister-project GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships in Busan, Korea on biofouling prevention and management! International Maritime Organization, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, MTCC Caribbean MTCC Africa MTCC Latin America Amelia Bola MTCC Asia

On the final day of the 3rd GloFouling Partnerships R&D Forum programme, participants had an incredible visit to the Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST), where they explored groundbreaking research and innovative facilities dedicated to marine science. KIOST’s impressive library of marine samples and the biological sample repository, showcased the storage of specimens from Korea’s coastal waters. Participants learned how these resources support scientific research and contribute to the conservation of marine biodiversity. Participants boarded a research vessel to see first-hand the equipment and monitoring software systems used to collect samples. The group also visited Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) land-based test facility including water basins used to conduct tests for ballast water management systems, gaining valuable insights into how this facility operates ensuring they effectively manage and neutralize invasive species transported in ballast water, which is crucial for protecting marine ecosystems worldwide. A unique highlight of the day was a visit to Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the world's leading shipbuilders, where participants observed the latest advancements in shipbuilding technology innovations. During the tour, participants saw processes behind the construction of eco-friendly vessels, such as LNG-powered ships and hybrid systems, designed to reduce emissions and environmental impact. The tour offered an up-close view of the scale and precision involved in producing some of the largest and most sustainable vessels navigating our seas. This visit wrapped up a productive and inspiring five-day forum. A heartfelt thank you to all the speakers, panelists, hosts, exhibitors, co-organizers and everyone who contributed to making this event a success! International Maritime Organization, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships, MTCC Africa MTCC Caribbean MTCC Latin America Amelia Bola Feng Zhou, KRISO(Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering), Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

On Day 4, industry leaders and policymakers held insightful discussions on the shifting landscape of biofouling regulations. Highlights included Chris Scianni’s presentation on California’s biofouling regulations, Yasmin Gabay’s insights on New Zealand’s vessel requirements, and Sveinung Oftedal’s overview of Norway’s biofouling initiatives. These sessions underscored the need for a unified, mandatory global framework to standardize biofouling control efforts. Dr Bev Mackenzie emphasized the application of the 2023 IMO Biofouling Guidelines, while updates on the development of ISO standards for in-water cleaning were shared by Irene Øvstebø Tvedten and Mario Tamburri. Sahan Abeysekara also explained the "clean hull notation" concept, underscoring the importance of balancing effective biofouling control with environmental protection. Presentations on hull cleaning and fuel efficiency offered valuable insights into reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving vessel performance. Beom Jin Park explained the impact of hull cleaning on ship performance, while Prof. I Ketut Aria Pria Utama, shared collaborative research on hull roughness drag penalties. Dr. Bagus Nugroho provided a comprehensive assessment of skin-friction drag on recently cleaned ships, showcasing innovative measurement and computational methods. Abigail Robinson explored ways to quantify biofouling impacts on fuel consumption, underlining the potential to curb emissions and fuel loss effectively. The afternoon parallel session chaired by Chris Scianni from California State Lands Commission offered targeted insights into the risk management in ports with featured presentations on port biodiversity, with Dr. Benjamin Vallejo Jr. exploring biofouling ecology in Manila Bay and Dr. Jasmine Ferrario discussing biodiversity enhancements to limit non-native species. Marion Vial’s presentation on biofouling in the English Channel, where findings from a two-year monitoring study compared two types of coatings applied to two vessels, providing valuable data on biofouling impacts and coating performance in this region. Simultaneously, the Industry Support to IMO Member States session addressed biofouling prevention and management challenges at the national level, with contributions from Agampodi Jagath Mendis Gunasekara (Sri Lanka), Patricia Ayala Carbajal (Peru), and Ricardo Coutinho (Brazil) exploring how to connect efforts for a holistic approach. Thanking all who contributed and we are excited for the day ahead where participants would have the opportunity to visit Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST), Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) and Samsung Heavy Industries. International Maritime Organization, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships

Today on Day 3 of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships 3rd R&D Forum and Exhibition, we delved into the latest Innovative Solutions for Biofouling Management, with insightful presentations by industry leaders such as Shipshave AS, Samsung Heavy Industries, Jotun, AkzoNobel, DHI, and Subsea Global Solutions. These pioneering companies shared forward-thinking technologies designed to tackle biofouling while prioritizing marine health and vessel efficiency. We also had engaging sessions on Monitoring, Testing, Early Detection, and Rapid Response presented by Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST), ProxiHealthcare Inc., and Global TestNet. Their expertise emphasized the importance of proactive biofouling management to protect biodiversity and support sustainable industry practices. An impactful discussion on Biofouling Management in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSAAs) was led by Inti Keith of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands, with valuable insights from Will Griffiths (International Maritime Organization), Sonia Angélica Jurado Caicedo, Evangelina Schwindt, Joape Ginigini, and Sharloth Fernández. Experts highlighted the importance of tailored biofouling practices to protect these ecologically sensitive regions, where invasive species pose significant risks to biodiversity. We look forward to the session tomorrow which will focus on policy developments and standards! Follow for more. International Maritime Organization, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships

Day 2 of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships 3rd R&D Forum and Exhibition was a fantastic showcase of Korea’s advances in #biofoulingmanagement, featuring expert presentations and hands-on demonstrations. The Korean special session began the day with insights into Korea’s legislative and policy improvements, research on risk assessments, and cutting-edge technologies for biofouling treatment and prevention. This informative session set the stage for deeper discussions, as participants were able to ask questions, exchange knowledge and engage directly with the experts on Korea's approach and innovations. At the parallel exhibition, attendees were also able to explore a variety of anti-fouling systems, including in-water cleaning technologies and protective coatings, gaining firsthand knowledge of effective solutions in marine biosecurity. The day concluded with a site visit to ORIENT SHIPYARD CO., LTD. for a dry dock demonstration, where IMO Member States had the opportunity to observe live dry-dock cleaning procedures. Experts provided detailed explanations on the water source for the water jet, the stages and levels of dry-dock cleaning, waste collection processes, and painting techniques. The participants had also the opportunity to witness the Ocean Engineering Basin facility of KRISO(Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering), which simulated realistic maritime conditions—including waves, wind, and currents—for testing the manoeuverability and stability of ships and offshore structures, as well as assessing the performance of maritime equipment. An interactive regional technology demonstration was also delivered as part of the IMO-NORAD TEST Biofouling project, hosted by the members of the Global Industry Alliance for Marine Biosafety — Tas Global Co. Ltd and Chiro SLM-Global. Participants not only observed these technologies in action but also engaged in a truly immersive experience—manoeuvring equipment, trying out diving gear, testing different brush types, and discussing operational efficiencies directly with the technology experts. We are pleased with the knowledge-sharing and active engagement on display and look forward to even more innovation and collaboration in biofouling management tomorrow. Follow along for more updates from the #BiofoulingForum! International Maritime Organization, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships, MTCC Africa, MTCC Caribbean MTCC Latin America, Amelia Bola, Feng Zhou

Day 1 of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships 3rd R&D Forum and Exhibition brought together 300 participants for dynamic discussions on the impact of #invasiveaquaticspecies and innovative #biofoulingmanagement solutions. A highlight was the premiere of Silent Invaders: The Unseen Impact of Invasive Aquatic Species, a powerful film commissioned by the Global Industry Alliance for Marine Biosafety. The first day also spotlighted a critical topic for the biofouling sector and the wider maritime community: advancing gender equality and empowering women’s roles in this field. We look forward to tomorrow's programme which will feature the IMO-NORAD TEST Biofouling project regional technology demonstration! Stay tuned. International Maritime Organization, IMO-NORAD TEST Biofouling project MTCC Africa, MTCC Caribbean MTCC Latin America, MTCC Asia, MTCC Pacific, Jon Stewart #BiofoulingForum

As MTCC Caribbean continues its journey in the IMO-NORAD TEST Biofouling project, we’re excited to promote biofouling strategies and innovative technology that support eco-friendly shipping in the Caribbean and Latin American regions. From advanced in-water cleaning methods to next-generation antifouling coatings, MTCC is driving solutions that help protect our marine ecosystems and reduce invasive species transfer. Together, let’s pave the way for cleaner, greener seas! #BiofoulingManagement #SustainableShipping #MTCC #MarineProtection