Control Of Anti Fouling Systems On Ships

The harmful effects of anti-fouling systems were considered by the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) for the first time in 1988, when the Paris Commission requested the MEPC to consider the need for measures to restrict the use of tributyltin (TBT) compounds on seagoing vessels. As a first step, the Committee at its thirtieth session in 1990 adopted resolution MEPC.46 (30) on ``Measures to control potential adverse impacts associated with the use of tributyltin compounds in anti-fouling paints'', which recommends that IMO Member Governments adopt measures to eliminate the use of anti-fouling paint containing TBT on non-aluminium-hulled vessels of less than 25'm in length and eliminate the use of TBT-based anti- fouling paints with an average leaching rate of more than four micrograms of organotin per square centimetre per day. These recommendations were intended to be interim measures until IMO could consider a possible total prohibition of TBT compounds in anti-fouling systems. From 1990 onwards, MEPC was presented with TBT monitoring results which reconfirmed the toxicity of TBT compounds, as well as with information on existing alternatives, including their effectiveness and the risk posed to the marine environment by these systems. This 2005 edition, reproduces the texts of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001, the four Conference resolutions, and the Guidelines developed and adopted by the Organization.

Control of anti-fouling systems on ships : hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session, June 10, 2009.

Control of anti-fouling systems on ships: hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session, June 10, 2009.

These Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (hereafter 'the Guidelines') are intended to provide a globally consistent approach to the management of biofouling. As scientific and technological advances are made, the Guidelines will be refined to enable the risk to be more adequately addressed. Port States, flag States, coastal States and other parties that can assist in mitigating the problems associated with biofouling should exercise due diligence to implement the Guidelines to the maximum extent possible.

Marine biofouling can be defined as the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, algae and animals on structures submerged in seawater. From the dawn of navigation, marine biofouling has been a major problem for shipping in such areas as reduced speed, higher fuel consumption and increased corrosion. It also affects industries using off-shore structures such as oil and gas production and aquaculture. Growing concerns about the environmental impact of antifouling coatings has led to major new research to develop more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Advances in marine antifouling coatings and technologies summaries this wealth of research and its practical implications. This book is divided into four sub-sections which discuss: marine fouling organisms and their impact, testing and development of antifouling coatings, developments in chemically-active marine antifouling technologies, and new surface approaches to the control of marine biofouling. It provides an authoritative overview of the recent advances in understanding the biology of fouling organisms, the latest developments on antifouling screening techniques both in the field and in the laboratory, research on safer active compounds and the progress on nontoxic coatings with tailor-made surface properties. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Advances in marine antifouling coatings and technologies is a standard reference for manufacturers of marine antifouling solutions, the shipping industry, oil and gas producers, aquaculture and other industries using offshore structures, and academics researching this important area. Assesses marine antifouling organisms and their impact, including a historical review and directions for future research Discusses developments in antifouling coatings examining chemically-active and new surface approaches Reviews the environmentally friendly alternative of safer active compounds and the progress of non-toxic compounds