3/10/2021: The accumulation and transfer of aquatic/marine organisms—animals, plants, and micro-organisms—on structures and surfaces exposed to or submerged in aquatic environments, such as ships’ hulls and ballast water, is called biofouling. Biofouling poses a major risk to aquatic environments when invasive aquatic and marine species are moved from one ecosystem to another.
Biofouling has been identified as a substantial threat to the conservation of biodiversity in the world’s oceans. This is because a vast number of marine species may survive and establish reproductive environments in the host environment, leading to competition with native species. The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Biofouling Guidelines are an effort to provide a globally consistent approach to biofouling management.
Thai Subsea Services is a Thailand-based subsea ship services company composed of divers that have been in the industry for more than 30 years. The company has been known in the industry for providing biofouling removal and hull cleaning services nationwide.
When speaking about the company’s biofouling removal services, a senior representative for Thai Subsea Services said, “As part of the ongoing effort to reduce invasive marine species in foreign waters, ships entering certain waters and trade routes, such as New Zealand and some ports in the USA are required to show proof of an IMO biofouling management plan.
At Thai Subsea Services, our trained experts and divers have amassed a wealth of experience in conducting and implementing thorough biofouling management services. We have become an industry leader in high-caliber vessel cleaning in the country.”
Expanded trade and traffic volume have intensified the problem of transferring invasive marine species. Quantitative data indicates that the rate of bio-invasions is only increasing, with new areas being invaded continuously. The proper implementation of biofouling management plans is critical to reducing invasive species being transferred from one ecosystem to another.
Thai Subsea Services provides a wide range of ship maintenance services, including hull cleaning, propeller polishing, underwater photo inspection & UWILD, underwater repair, welding, sealing, cutting, and commercial diving.