No more blistering barnacles if Transnet has way with new service

Transnet is set to introduce an in-water hull-cleaning service that will capitalise on new technology and bring South Africa in line with a call from the International Maritime Organisation for such a service.

Transnet National Ports Authority environmental manager Simphiwe Mazibuko said on Tuesday biofouling was bad news for marine ecosystems and shipping costs.

“Marine organisms attach themselves to the hull of a ship, potentially spreading alien and invasive species across borders.

“Biofouling also slows down the vessel and reduces fuel efficiency. This results in vessels burning more fuel and emitting more carbon emissions.

“The cleaning of ship biofouling is one of the practices recommended by the International Maritime Organisation to help vessels meet their new regulations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by 2020.”

Mazibuko said alien biofouling – barnacles, mussels, algae, coral and other marine organisms carried into local waters by vessels that had voyaged in foreign waters – posed a threat to indigenous biodiversity.

Yet preventing the attachment of organisms or cleaning off this debris without the proper regime in place could in itself cause severe environmental problems.

“This makes it critical for the port landlord to introduce a strict permit for all service providers undertaking hull cleaning activity in any port. Submissions from prospective service providers are presently being reviewed as part of the Transnet National Ports Authority tender process.”

According to an April 2019 report by the United Nations Development Programme, biofouling is one of the greatest threats to the freshwater, coastal and marine environments of the world.

The world’s commercial shipping fleet consists of approximately 93,000 vessels and a multitude of marine species may survive transit and establish a reproductive population in new host environments.