GloNoise Partnership: Reducing Underwater Noise from Shipping
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has launched the GloNoise Partnership. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of underwater noise from shipping on marine life.
The GloNoise Partnership, funded by GEF, officially began in December 2023 and will last for two years. It involves nine beneficiary countries, including six Lead Pilot Countries (LPCs) and three Twinning Partner Countries. The project’s primary goal is to support the implementation of the revised IMO Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from Commercial Shipping. These guidelines aim to address the adverse impacts of underwater noise on marine ecosystems and their living resources. The project also focuses on building capacity in developing countries to implement these guidelines, gathering data to support IMO’s policy dialogue, and developing an online toolkit for national-level implementation by experts.
Impact of Underwater Noise
Shipping is a major source of underwater sound in the marine environment, with ships of different sizes producing varied frequencies of sound. Small leisure crafts, medium-sized ships, and large vessels all contribute to underwater noise. The sound levels vary between approximately 160 and well above 200 dB re 1 µPa re 1m, depending on the vessel type, size, and operational mode. Large commercial vessels produce relatively loud and predominantly low-frequency sounds, which overlap with the communication sounds and hearing of many marine mammals, particularly large whales, some seals, sea lions, and fishes. This overlap can interfere with important biological functions such as communication, foraging, reproduction, navigation, and predator avoidance, placing marine life under increasing stress.
Sustainable Development Goals
The GloNoise Partnership contributes to global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water). It also supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The project aims to reduce underwater noise from shipping and mitigate its negative effects on marine ecosystems, ensuring the protection of marine life and the sustainability of the marine environment.
