The introduction of ISO 6319 establishes clear guidelines for the safe, efficient and environmentally sound cleaning of vessel hulls, by standardising how in-water cleaning operations are planned, executed and reported.
Preventing and removing biofouling on hulls of ships limits the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species (IAS). Indeed, biofouling on ships is recognized as an important potential sub-vector to translocate IAS. Such translocation threatens coastal environments by disrupting ecological systems, which can also negatively affect fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. Additionally, biofouling increases frictional drag on hulls and decreases the propeller efficiency, in turn increasing fuel consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution from ships. Not only is biofouling estimated to increase a ship’s fuel consumption by on average 9 %, this added fuel consumption costs the shipping industry billions of USD. Therefore, improving biofouling management across the global shipping fleet will have considerable benefits, both from an environmental and economic standpoint.
This document provides requirements and best practices for planning, conducting and documenting in-water cleaning (IWC) operations safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner. Additionally, this document provides requirements and best practices for reporting on the effectiveness of IWC operations.
This document addresses all forms of IWC of external submerged surfaces, which are hull and niche areas, all types and levels of biofouling, which means biofilms, microfouling and macrofouling, conducted both with or without capture. It does not address internal piping.
The document has been established to inform ports, regulatory agencies, ship biofouling IWC service providers, inspection service providers, IWC equipment manufacturers, coating manufacturers, shipowners, ship managers, ship operators and other relevant stakeholders.