London, UK
Day 1 - Hull Performance, Biofouling & Antifouling Management - GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, GMTZ)
Understanding Biofouling and Hull Performance
- Examine the stages and mechanisms of marine biofouling, from microfouling to macrofouling
- Understand how hull roughness and fouling affect hydrodynamic resistance, propulsion and vessel speed
- Assess the relationship between hull condition, fuel consumption, emissions and operating costs
- Identify the impact of vessel type, trading pattern, speed, idle periods and environmental conditions on fouling risk
- Explore biofouling pathways, niche areas and the transfer of invasive aquatic species
Active Learning – Vessel Risk Mapping: Working in groups, participants assess different vessel operating profiles and identify the key biofouling risks, performance impacts and priority areas for intervention.
Connecting Hull Performance with Energy Efficiency
- Examine how hull and propeller condition influence overall vessel efficiency
- Understand performance degradation and speed loss
- Connect proactive hull management with fuel efficiency and emissions reduction
- Explore the operational and commercial case for maintaining clean, efficient hulls
Active Learning – Case Study: Participants analyse a vessel experiencing deteriorating fuel performance and determine whether hull condition is likely to be a contributing factor.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
- Examine the IMO Biofouling Guidelines and current international regulatory developments
- Understand the direction of travel towards a future mandatory IMO biofouling framework
- Compare key regional biosecurity requirements and their operational implications
- Understand responsibilities across shipowners, operators, technical managers and vessel personnel
- Examine inspection, verification, documentation and reporting expectations
Active Learning – Compliance Challenge: Groups work through a vessel trading scenario involving multiple jurisdictions to identify applicable requirements and potential compliance gaps.
Biofouling Management Plans & Record Keeping
- Understand the purpose and structure of a Biofouling Management Plan
- Identify vessel-specific biofouling risks and management measures
- Examine Biofouling Record Book requirements and good documentation practices
- Integrate inspections, cleaning, maintenance and coating information into effective records
Active Learning – Management Plan Review: Participants review a sample Biofouling Management Plan, identify weaknesses and recommend practical improvements.
Selecting the Right Antifouling Solution
- Compare self-polishing, fouling-release, biocidal and non-biocidal coating systems
- Match coating selection to vessel type, speed, activity level, idle periods and trading pattern
- Evaluate coating durability, performance and environmental considerations
- Examine the relationship between coating selection, maintenance requirements and lifecycle costs
- Explore sustainable and lower-impact antifouling approaches
Active Learning – Coating Selection Challenge: Teams compare vessel profiles and recommend appropriate antifouling strategies, justifying their decisions against operational, environmental and commercial criteria.
Emerging Antifouling Technologies
- Explore developments in advanced and multifunctional coatings
- Examine biomimetic, nano-enabled and low-adhesion surface technologies
- Understand ultrasonic and other emerging fouling-control approaches
- Evaluate innovation against practical considerations such as scalability, durability, cost and operational suitability
The previous research explored biomimetic surfaces, nanocomposites and multifunctional coatings in considerable technical depth. Here, participants would focus on evaluating their practical application to shipping, rather than the underlying materials science.
Active Learning – Technology Evaluation: Participants score selected emerging solutions against a practical evaluation matrix covering effectiveness, environmental impact, vessel suitability, maturity and lifecycle value.