National Workshop on the AFS Convention organised in Turkey – Dec 18, 2012

A National Workshop on the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems (AFS) on Ships, 2001 was organised in Istanbul, Turkey between the 18 and 19 December 2012. The Workshop, which was funded by the Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme (ITCP) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), was held at the Chamber of Shipping in Istanbul in close co-operation with the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications.

The main objective of the Workshop was to enhance Turkey’s capacity to implement and enforce the AFS Convention by raising awareness among key stakeholders on the requirements of the Convention including inter alia the environmentally sound practices for the disposal of waste generated in applying and removing AFS.

Apart from familiarising themselves with the provisions of the AFS Convention, the participants had the opportunity to exchange views with the three international expert lecturers on practical aspects of the implementation of the Convention. At the end of the Workshop, participants also had the opportunity make a field visit to a local shipyard where they were also provided with a practical demonstration on the procedures followed for the application of anti-fouling paint on ships.