In June 2024, the German Sailing Association (DSV) and the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) hosted the first round table on “Biofouling in recreational shipping”. Around 50 participants from a wide range of interest groups accepted the invitation from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), which organized the meeting in Hamburg. During an intensive exchange, the participants discussed the problem of the undesirable colonization of organisms on ships and boats.
Protection against alien species, biocides and emissions
On June 10, 2024, the BSH invited participants to Hamburg to discuss the topic of “Biofouling in recreational boating” in cooperation with the DSV and the DMYV. Around 50 participants from the interest groups of administration, science, associations, industry and recreational shipping took part in the lively exchange of views. Among other things, they discussed international developments in the field of biofouling and how antifouling products can be used to get the problem under control. “Recreational shipping plays a key role in protecting the marine environment. I am therefore all the more pleased that the use of sustainable anti-fouling is being discussed more and more intensively in the recreational boating scene,” said BSH President Helge Heegewaldt.
Biofouling – a danger for the environment, boat and crew
Biofouling repeatedly leads to the spread of non-native species (also known as neobiota), which can harm the native flora and fauna and upset the balance of the ecosystem. But it also has a negative impact on shipping: It results in increased fuel consumption and therefore greater greenhouse gas emissions. It can also have a major impact on the maneuverability of the ship and therefore pose a danger to the crew.
Innovative antifouling systems as a game changer
Antifouling systems (AFS) are increasingly being used to minimize unwanted boat fouling. However, these coatings, most of which contain biocides, are also a source of undesirable growth of pollutants and particles in the water. The German Federal Environment Agency is therefore increasingly supporting biocide-free alternatives. There are more and more biocide-free, self-polishing coatings on the market, new mechanical cleaning systems and innovative electrochemical methods that successfully counteract fouling with ultrasound. The BSH would like to make a greater contribution to education and awareness-raising in this area. For example, the video “Exotics in fouling – the importance of biofouling for the aquatic environment” has already been published on the Internet.
Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von YouTube.
Mehr erfahren
Further investigations on the Baltic Sea coast
Almost ten years ago, the German Federal Ministry launched the “CHANGE” research project in cooperation with the EU. From 2014 to 2017, antifouling practices in the Baltic Sea region were examined and more environmentally friendly processes were scrutinized at the same time. This was accompanied by an investigation into how much of the active antifouling ingredient copper is really necessary to avoid unnecessary overdosing in the Baltic Sea.
