Researchers Study Hull Biofouling and Spread of Invasive Species
of non-indigenous ascidians (NIA), TAU researchers also discovered a Caribbean species new to the region. The findings, state the authors of the report, “strongly support the hypothesis that marine vessels constitute a substantial vector for the introduction and dispersal of NIAs”. Boud Van Rompay, founder and chairman of Belgium-based marine coatings supplier Subsea Industries, said, “The NIA threat is increasing because the antifouling systems in use since the TBT ban have been less effective in eliminating hull fouling. There is currently no miracle cure that will, on its own
Hydrex to Expand Antwerp Facility
the River Scheldt with new workshops and offices. As part of its expansion, the result of organic growth over the past two years, Hydrex has also refurbished its dive support workboats and increased its manpower by 25 percent to strengthen its diver-technician capability. Hydrex Chairman Boud Van Rompay said, “The new facility together with our recent recruitment drive is consequent of market demand for swift and cost-effective underwater hull and running gear care. “Our range of services require an experienced work force not only qualified to carry out often complex underwater
Cammell Laird Awards Coatings Contract for RRS Sir David Attenborough
that the hull coating for the newbuild should also be Ecospeed. Through-life costs, ease of maintenance and the environmental benefits help reduce operational costs and makes Sir David Attenborough a better research ship for polar science,” said White. Subsea Industries Chairman Boud Van Rompay said, ”We are delighted that Cammell Laird, BAS and NERC have once again selected Ecospeed for a new polar research vessel. The hard coating completely mitigates against the leaching of chemicals into the marine environment and this, along with other ‘green’ technologies will
Hull Biofouling Environmentally More Damaging than Ballasting
delivered at the World Ocean Council’s Sustainable Ocean Summit in December, in which IMO Marine Environmental Division’s Technical Officer Dr Theofanis Karyannis revealed that hull biofouling could be more damaging than ballast water transfer, Subsea Industries’ Chairman Boud Van Rompay said: “The transfer of IAS in ballast water has been addressed with the ratification of the BWM Convention, but currently there is no legislation to prevent the transfer of IAS on ships’ hulls though fouling, only guidelines.” Indeed, while there is ongoing evaluation of
Subsea Industries Opens UK Office
coatings. As accounting manager, Woods will head up Chelmsford-based Subsea Industries U.K., with responsibility for sales growth across the company’s complete portfolio of marine coatings. However, the company is actively recruiting sales representatives for other locations. Boud Van Rompay, Subsea Industries’ founder and CEO, said, “Subsea Industries is in expansive mode at the moment and we are recruiting for a number of sales professionals with coatings industry experience. Mark’s appointment, together with the opening up of a new UK sales office, is the first
Ecospeed Agent Appointed in Poland
is a lot of interest in them.” Navitech Gdynia Sp. z o.o. has been at the forefront of marine equipment supply, marine consulting and technical services in the Polish market for many years and is well known and respected in the Polish shipping and shipbuilding market. Hydrex CEO Boud van Rompay confirms the strategic value of Hydrex’s representatives around the Baltic Sea, “Many years ago we successfully developed the environmentally safe underwater hull coating system Ecospeed. It has proven itself as a sustainable, viable alternative to the toxic antifouling coatings
February 2025
