The international shipowners' associations BIMCO and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have produced a guide with the aim of help the maritime sector understand the effects and reduce the underwater noise from ships and to help the industry to implement the guidelines on underwater noise of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Remembering that maritime transport is one of the main sources of low-frequency underwater noise and that the Research has shown that this noise is harmful to the vital functions of a wide range of marine organisms, "including marine mammals, fish and invertebrate species, from which many coastal communities, in particular indigenous people, depend for their food, their livelihoods and their cultures," Michelle Sanders, representative Permanent Representative of Canada at the IMO, stressed that 'the reduction of subsea noise radiated by ships is not just a question of environmental protection: it is of fundamental importance importance of ensuring the health of the oceans."

The new BIMCO and ICS analyses the sources of noise and their far-reaching impact on marine life. It also explains the content of the IMO guidelines, how to set up a noise management plan and examines the scope of regulations and voluntary measures. The guide also explores the relationship between various energy efficiency measures being adopted by part of shipping and underwater noise: various studies, including one sponsored by the ICS, have discovered, in fact, that most of the Part of the energy efficiency measures also reduces noise irradiated submarine. The guide provides a comprehensive list of such measurements together with estimates of energy efficiency and Improvements in radiated underwater noise. 'Ships with energy saving - observed the Secretary General and CEO of the BIMCO, David Loosley - they are silent ships. While our sector reduces greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of energy efficiency measures, including noise level Irradiated submarine will shrink and this will help to protect marine life and the environment".