HARMFUL effects of foreign aquatic organisms no longer can be ignored, HullWiper managing director Simon Doran says.
Mr Doran spoke in Mauritius recently, with that country being one of 12 countries pushing the International Marine Organization GloFouling Project.
The GloFouling project is a collaboration with the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Programme and the IMO, created to implement guidelines for the control and management of the transfer of invasive marine species on vessel hulls.
Mr Doran spoke at an event in partnership with Immersub explaining what he said were the benefits of HullWiper’s underwater hull cleaning Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
“These species hitch a ride by clinging to the submerged areas of ships hulls,” he said.
“Invasive species in its basic form means that an organism is being moved from its natural habitat to a new habitat where it may have no natural predators.”
The threat is real, as the stronger organisms can take over and wipe out indigenous marine life.
The Mauritius Ports Authority has been pushing for sustainable and green hull-cleaning options as part of its ‘Green Port Concept’.
“At HullWiper, we consider ourselves to be environmental activists,” Mr Doran told the meeting.
“We believe that this supports MPA and the implementation of its ‘Green Port Concept’.”
Launched in Dubai in December 2013, HullWiper operates in ports around the world including Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
