IMO Workshop Addresses Antifouling Systems

Flag state and port state roles in ratifying, implementing and enforcing the convention prohibiting the use of harmful antifouling systems on ships (AFS Convention) are on the agenda at a regional workshop held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 10-11.

The workshop sought to increase awareness of government officials and other stakeholders on the benefits and implications of ratifying, implementing and enforcing the Convention.

The environmentally sound practices for the disposal of waste generated in applying and removing antifouling systems were also presented and discussed.

This workshop was organized under a memorandum of understanding signed between IMO and the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA). PERGSA hosted the workshop, which was attended by 25 participants from Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. IMO’s Theofanis Karayannis coordinated the event.