Ukraine acceded to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships

In accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 112/2017 dated April 21, 2017, Ukraine acceded to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, executed on October 5, 2001 in London.

The Parties to this Convention aim to continue to develop anti-fouling systems which are effective and environmentally safe and to promote the substitution of harmful systems by less harmful systems or preferably harmless systems. This is due to the fact that the use of anti-fouling systems to prevent the build-up of organisms on the surface of ships is of critical importance to efficient commerce, shipping and impeding the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.

Also, the State-Parties to this Convention note that the introduction of organotin compounds into the environment shall be phased-out.

This Convention shall apply to:

• ships entitled to fly the flag of a Party;
• ships not entitled to fly the flag of a Party, but which operate under the authority of a Party; and
• ships that enter a port, shipyard, or offshore terminal of a Party.

At the same time, this Convention shall not apply to any warships, naval auxiliary, or other ships owned or operated by a Party and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service.

The Convention entered into force for Ukraine on September 15, 2017.

Enclosures (in Ukrainian):

1. Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine dated 22.11.2017;
2. Annex to the letter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine dated 22.11.2017.