The IMO meets this week to consider revisions to its coatings convention that could hit shipowners in the pocket.

While the focus of the London meeting is on curbing carbon emissions, a more immediate threat to shipowners comes from potential amendments to the anti-fouling treaty that could force thousands of shipowners to recoat their vessels’ hulls.

The proposed changes to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems in Ships (AFS Convention) are up for approval by the regulator's Marine Environmental Protection Committee.