On April 22, 2019 a seminar on the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems in Ships (AFS Convention) and the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships‘ Ballast Water and Sediments took place at Marine Engineering Faculty of National University «Odessa Maritime Academy». The conference was held by Parmenova D.G., Associate Professor of Life Safety Department of NU «ОМА», who had participated in the national seminar held by Theofanis Karayannis, Head of Marine Biosafety of the Marine Environment Department and consultants of the International Maritime Organization in the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine from April 1 till 5, 2019.

The aim of the seminar was to increase the level of knowledge of NU«ОМА» teaching staff on controlling ballast water discharge and preventing the risks of transporting non-native species of marine fauna to other parts of the world, which has devastating effects to established marine ecosystems. During the seminar, teachers were familiarized with the basic principles of the BWM convention and the main measures for meeting the requirements of conventions, controlling the flag state and the responsibilities of coastal states, as well as modern methods of monitoring compliance with the requirements for using anti-fouling systems on ships.