A multi-criteria decision analysis model for ship biofouling management in the Baltic Sea
Journal article, 2022
Biofouling of ship hulls form a vector for the introduction of non-indigenous organisms worldwide. Through increasing friction, the organisms attached to ships' hulls increase the fuel consumption, leading to both higher fuel costs and air emissions. At the same time, ship biofouling management causes both ecological risks and monetary costs. All these aspects should be considered case-specifically in the search of sustainable management strategies. Applying Bayesian networks, we developed a multi-criteria decision analysis model to compare biofouling management strategies in the Baltic Sea, given the characteristics of a ship, its operating profile and operational environment, considering the comprehensive environmental impact and the monetary costs. The model is demonstrated for three scenarios (SC1-3) and sub-scenarios (A-C), comparing the alternative biofouling management strategies in relation to NIS (non-indigenous species) introduction risk, eco-toxicological risk due to biocidal coating, carbon dioxide emissions and costs related to fuel consumption, in-water cleaning and hull coating. The scenarios demonstrate that by the careful consideration of the hull fouling management strategy, both money and environment can be saved. We suggest biocidal-free coating with a regular in-water cleaning using a capture system is generally the lowest-risk option. The best biocidal-free coating type and the optimal in-water cleaning interval should be evaluated case-specifically, though. In some cases, however, biocidal coating remains a justifiable option.
Non-indigenous species
Eco-toxicological risk
Bayesian network
Decision analysis model
Author
Emilia Luoma
University of Helsinki
Kotka Maritime Research Centre
Mirka Laurila-Pant
Kotka Maritime Research Centre
University of Helsinki
Elias Altarriba
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK)
Kotka Maritime Research Centre
Lauri Nevalainen
Kotka Maritime Research Centre
University of Helsinki
Inari Helle
University of Helsinki
Kotka Maritime Research Centre
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Lena Granhag
Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Maritime Studies
Maiju Lehtiniemi
Finnish Environment Institute
Greta Srėbalienė
Klaipeda University
Sergej Olenin
Klaipeda University
Annukka Lehikoinen
University of Helsinki
Kotka Maritime Research Centre
Science of the Total Environment
0048-9697 (ISSN) 1879-1026 (eISSN)
Vol. 852 158316COMPLETE PLUS Practical implementation of the COMPLETE project outputs and tools
Interreg, 2021-04-01 -- 2021-12-31.
Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)
Ecology
Geochemistry
Environmental Sciences
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158316
PubMed
36037884