Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Biofouling - Prevention of Pollution of the Marine Environment from Vessels - page 74

did not adequately prepare for the implementation of the Convention. 54 The number
of States required for entry into force, 30, has been achieved already. The required
world tonnage, 35 %, is yet to be achieved and is still 4.42 % short. This actually
indicates that countries with the largest shipping registries are resisting entry into
force of the Convention.

4.3 Management of Ships Bio-fouling

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As discussed in the introduction of this chapter, there are two aspects of bio-fouling:
the transfer of invasive aquatic species through bio-fouling and environmental
impact of the harmful anti-fouling systems.
IMO started working to prevent the harmful effects of organotin compounds in
1989, followed by a MEPC Resolution in 1990. 55 The Resolution noted that use of
tributyl tin compounds, in anti-fouling paints for vessels, is a significant source of
tributyl tin found in the marine environment. 56 The Resolution recommended that
States should take interim measures to eliminate the use of anti-fouling paint
containing tributyl tin on non-aluminum hulled vessels of less than 25 m in length,
and to eliminate the use of anti-fouling paints containing tributyl tin with an average
release rate of more than 4 g of organotin per day. 57 The resolution also urged to

consider appropriate ways towards total prohibition in the future on the use of
tributyl tin compounds in anti-fouling paints for ships. 58
In November 1999, IMO adopted an Assembly Resolution particularly noting
the serious concern that anti-fouling systems, in which organotin compounds act as
biocides, must be prevented from being introduced into the marine environment. 59
The Resolution requested, as a matter of urgency, the MEPC to work towards the
expeditious development of a global legally-binding instrument to address the
harmful effects of anti-fouling systems used on ships. This was urged with a view

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54 As observed by some environmentalist organisations “As organizations that aim for conserva-
tion and environmental protection, we are very concerned by the continuing increase of the
transfer of invasive species by ballast water and therefore call on the global forum to step up
their efforts to rapidly ratify the BWM Convention and to stimulate and assist others to also
achieve the level of confidence they need to ratify.” Submission of the Friends of the Earth
International (FOEI), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) and Clean Shipping Coalition (CSC), IMO Doc. MEPC 65/2/13 (8 March 2013).
55

Measures to control potential adverse impacts associated with use tributyl tin compounds in
ant-fouling paints, MEPC Resolution 46/30, IMO Doc. MEPC30/24, annex

19 (16 November 1900).
56 Ibid.
57 Ibid.
58 Ibid.
59 Anti-fouling Systems Used on Ships, Assembly Resolution A.895(21), IMO Doc. A 21/Res.895
(4 February 2000).