The IMO-GloFouling R&D Forum will bring together regulatory bodies, stakeholders and representatives from shipping and other maritime industries, academia, leading scientific experts and technology development leaders in the field of biofouling management for a comprehensive overview of this rapidly expanding area of research and development and technology commercialization.
This first edition of the IMO-GloFouling R&D Forum is a timely move that coincides with the increased global focus on biofouling as one of the main vectors for the transfer of invasive aquatic species. The R&D Forum will be an opportunity to discuss the main aspects of biofouling management in shipping just before the review of the IMO Biofouling Guidelines commences in early 2020.
About the R&D Forum
About the ANZPAC Workshop
The inaugural ANZPAC Workshop on Biofouling Management for Sustainable Shipping in 2013 was an outstanding international event that brought industry together with scientists and regulators, and this success was repeated with a second and third workshop in 2015 and 2017, respectively. The workshop is most similar in scope to the International Congress on Marine Corrosion and Fouling, and therefore held in alternate years to those events. It differs, however, in having a greater focus on practical issues facing the shipping sector in terms of regulatory compliance, efficiency of vessel performance, and other challenges posed by biofouling and its management.
The R&D Forum and ANZPAC Workshop will aim to bring some clarification on optimum techniques for biofouling management and point us in the direction of promising future research and development to minimize or eliminate the spread of invasive by maritime industries. Specific goals of the conference are to:
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Explore the current and future maritime landscape as it relates to recent and proposed regulations, standard development and implementation, including uptake of the IMO Biofouling Guidelines;
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Discuss the needs of vessel operators to find a balance between improved vessel fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, effective biosecurity risk mitigation and compliance with proposed standards;
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Explore perspectives from non-shipping industries (e.g. aquaculture, ocean energy); and,
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Identify where the knowledge and policy gaps are that are hindering the implementation of effective biofouling management strategies and standards
Objective
Venue: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Dates: 1 to 4 October 2019
Accommodation & other useful information
The Convention & Exhibition Centre is conveniently located in the Southbank of the city, but also within easy reach from Melbourne's CBD. There are numerous options for accommodation, many of which can be secured through standard booking websites. More information can be found here.
Contact
For information on the R&D Forum, contact the GloFouling Partnerships Project team at glofouling@imo.org
For information on sponsorship packages for both events, please contact Ms. Samantha Carter at admin@mial.com.au
For information on the ANZPAC workshop, contact the organizer, Mr. John Lewis at ESLink Services: jlewis@eslinkservices.com.au
