UK issues Marine Information Notice on new IMO voluntary guidelines

UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has issued a Marine Information Notice MIN 706 (M+F) regarding new IMO voluntary guidelines.

This notice was published on 8 February 2024.

Summary

This Marine Information Note emphasizes the recent adoption of voluntary guidelines by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concerning biofouling and underwater radiated noise.

The 2023 Biofouling Guidelines

• The Biofouling Guidelines aim to establish a globally consistent approach for managing biofouling on ships to reduce the transfer of invasive aquatic species.
• Adopted at the eightieth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, these guidelines replace the 2011 Biofouling Guidelines.
• Resolution MEPC.378(80) on www.IMO.org provides access to the 2023 Biofouling Guidelines.
• Ships are encouraged to utilize these guidelines to minimize the risk of invasive species and improve hydrodynamic performance, thus enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing air emissions.
• Feedback on the guidelines' usage can be submitted to environment@mcga.gov.uk for consideration during the next revision discussions at the IMO.
• Interested parties willing to share their experiences with these guidelines are invited to email environment@mcga.gov.uk for inclusion in discussions.

The 2023 Underwater Radiated Noise Guidelines

• These guidelines recognize commercial shipping as a significant contributor to underwater radiated noise (URN), adversely affecting various marine life forms and coastal Indigenous communities.
• Intended for designers, shipbuilders, and operators, the draft guidelines offer approaches to reduce URN and establish mechanisms for noise reduction efforts.
• Approved at the eightieth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, these guidelines supersede the 2014 Underwater Noise Guidelines.
• Circular MEPC.1/Circ.906 on www.IMO.org provides access to the 2023 Underwater Radiated Noise Guidelines.
• Ships are encouraged to implement these guidelines to mitigate URN effects and provide feedback on their effectiveness.
• Feedback on the guidelines' application can be sent to environment@mcga.gov.uk to inform future discussions at the IMO.
• Interested parties are invited to share their experiences with these guidelines by contacting environment@mcga.gov.uk.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

New IMO Voluntary Guidelines