Regional Workshop on Surveys and Inspections related to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention)

  • When Jun 07, 2011 to Jun 08, 2011
  • Where Larnaca (Cyprus)
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Thirty-seven representatives from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Montenegro, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Spain, Syria, and Tunisia participated in a Regional Workshop on the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention) held recently (7 & 8 June 2011) in Larnaca.

This Workshop on surveys and inspections relating to the AFS Convention was organised within the framework of the EU-funded SafeMed II Project and of UNEP-MAP programme of activities approved by the 16th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, and delivered by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC).

Representatives from each country gave presentations to share their respective experiences in the ratification and implementation of the AFS Convention, and several important aspects concerning the AFS Convention were addressed.

The responsibilities of ensuring the safe disposal of anti-fouling waste and the establishment and enforcement of rules for stakeholders covering shipyards, boat owners, marinas’ operators and others involved in hull cleaning services were discussed, as was the importance of specialized training for Flag and Port State Control Officers in the proper implementation of the AFS Convention.

During the 2 day Workshop, the scope and implications of the AFS Convention were outlined with special emphasis on the importance that various State Parties’ obligations go beyond simply ensuring that ships are complying with the AFS Convention.

Countries yet to ratify the AFS Convention received information with respect to the ratification process while technical presentations on its implementation and enforcement were also delivered.

The report, Final List of  Participants, Programme and Conclusions as well as the presentations are available below.

Report

List of Participants

Programme

Conclusions

REMPEC, Capt. Joe Zerafa: Safemed Project - Ratification & Implementation of the AFS Convention

REMPEC, Mr. Jonathan Pace: Marine Environment Conventions; Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement (CME): General Principles and Critical Elements

IMO, Mr. Tian-Bing Huang: AFS 2001 Convention - Ratification & Implementation

CYPRUS, Mr. Ioannis Efstratiou: Implementation and Enforcement of the AFS in Cyprus

CYPRUS, Mr. Nicos Attas: Implementation and Enforcement of the AFS Convention; Port State Control in Cyprus

MONTENEGRO, Capt. Vladan Radonjic: AFS Convention - Surveys and Inspections

CROATIA: National approach to the implementation and enforcement of the AFS Convention in the Republic of Croatia

MOROCCO: Convention internationale de 2001 sur le contrôle des systèmes antisalissure nuisibles sur les navires (Convention AFS) - Expérience Marocaine Royaume

Bureau Veritas, Mr. Sai-Hang Loo: AFS Convention, 2001 - Surveys and Certification

SPAIN: Implementation and Enforcement of the AFS Convention (Surveys & Inspection) – Sharing of National Experience 

EMSA, Mr. Olev-Erik Leino: Regulation (EC) No. 782/2003 on the prohibition of organotin compounds on ships