At its 13th session, the IMO’s Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee agreed to recommend to the Marine Environment Protection Committee that a standalone instrument on the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimise the transfer of invasive aquatic species should be developed. At the 13th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response member states debated how to best develop a legally binding framework on the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species with several options on the table including amendment to existing instruments such as MARPOL Annex VI. However, there was clear support for the framework to take the form of a standalone instrument – with BIMCO and other industry associations supporting this way forward as the most appropriate way to ensure clarity and consistency for the industry. This recommendation will now go forwards to MEPC 84 in April for the Committee's decision. The work will be taken forwards by a correspondence group which will take a stepwise, goal-based and risk-based approach- firstly, identifying the objectives and then developing the draft structure of the framework, including a draft list of articles, regulations and appendices and then identify a list of guidelines to be developed to support the effective implementation. If time allows some text may also be developed and considered. The group will then report back to PPR 14 to take place in January 2027. What will the instrument cover? The instrument will consider the standard items that would be expected within an IMO Convention- so for example appropriate provisions for testing, verification, surveys, certification, inspections, documentation, record-keeping, and enforcement as appropriate. It will also need to take into account international law such as UNCLOS and other international agreements. It is also expected to not only focus on the minimisation of invasive aquatic species b