SAFEMED Project: Seminar on the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention), Cairo, Egypt, 24-26 April 2007 – Apr 24, 2007
Twenty eight government officials from the Mediterranean region participated in the Seminar on the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Seminar) which was organised by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), in collaboration with the Egyptian Government, in Cairo, Egypt between the 24 and the 26 April 2007.
The AFS Seminar was organised within the framework of the European Union (EU) funded MEDA Regional Project “Euromed Cooperation on Maritime Safety and Prevention of Pollution from Ships – SAFEMED”, which is being implemented by REMPEC in ten Euromed Mediterranean Partners, namely Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, The Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.
The main objectives of the AFS Seminar were to familiarize participants with the AFS Convention and related European Union (EU) legislation, in particular Regulation (EC) No 782/2003 on the prohibition of organotin compounds on ships and its affect on ships entering EU ports after 1 January 2008; to provide the necessary knowledge and information to encourage the ratification and implementation of the AFS Convention in the Mediterranean region; and to present and discuss the procedures and guidelines developed by a Consultant for securing the removal and final disposal of anti-fouling wastes in the framework of the AFS Convention.
A number of speakers, including officials from the European Commission, the International Maritime Organization, representatives from the paint industry, shipowners, shipbuilders, Classification Societies and other Consultants, delivered presentations during this three day event.
From the positive feedback received, both from the participants and the speakers alike, it was clear that the main objectives of the seminar had been reached and that the event was a success.