Marine Log - January 2008 - (Page 29) PAINTS&COATINGS SAYING GOODBYE TO TBT re your ships’ hulls TBT-free? If you operate on international voyages, that’s a question you should be prepared to answer as we enter 2008. Under the terms of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, no ships should have active TBT-based paint on their hulls by Jan. 1, 2008. This means that neither the ship’s hull nor its external parts or surfaces can have organotin compounds that act as biocides in anti-fouling systems. Ships can also have a coating over the non-compliant anti-fouling system that prevents it from leaching into the sea water. One of the most widely used organotins in anti-fouling systems, Tributyltin (TBT), was introduced in the 1960’s. While it proved extremely effective in keeping the hull clean of barnacles and other unwanted organisms, research begun in the 1980’s revealed the harmful effects of organotin compounds on the marine environment. The research showed that the organotin compounds persisted in the sea water, killing marine life and entering the food chain. They were even shown to cause sex changes in sea whelks. High concentrations of TBT have been measured by the U.S. Navy in harbors by commercial vessel repair yards and yacht marinas. Shipowners were supposed to stop applying or re-applying organotin compounds to their ships’ hulls by Jan. 1, 2003. However, the legal effect of the Jan. 1, 2003 date was suspended until the entry into force date. IMO says that during such time before the entry into force of the AFS convention, port states cannot apply any requirements of the convention to foreign ships calling at their ports. However, flag states may apply the requirements of the convention to their national fleet, depending on their national legal system and decisions of that country, but they may not expect the International Certificates to be recognized as effective until the date of entry into force. The entry into force date appears to be Sept. 17, 2008. That’s the date 12 months after, the AFS convention was ratified by 25 states representing 38.11% of the world’s tonnage. According to numbers posted on IMO’s website, as of November 30, 2007, twenty-six contracting states representing 38.11% of the world’s merchant shipping tonnage have ratified the AFS convention. Hempel A/S, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of marine coatings, says the effect of the AFS Convention entering into force on Sept. 17, 2008 is: The IMO Member States that have ratified the AFS Convention will require that the necessary documentation to prove compliance with the convention is available on board all ships irrespective of flag entering their ports. With the introduction of the EU TBT Regulation in July 2003 all EU flagged ships had to comply with a similar set of rules as the IMO AFS Convention. According to this legislation, no ships www.marinelog.com A OSG’s 442,500 dwt TI Africa was coated with Intersleek 900 fluoropolymer foul release coating irrespective of flag can enter any EU port after Jan. 1, 2008 if they do not comply with the 2008 date requirement, and they must carry the necessary documentation on board to demonstrate compliance. WHAT’S OUT THERE? Marine coatings manufacturers have developed environmentally friendly alternatives in the form of “super-smooth” fouling release systems. One such manufacturer is International Paint Ltd., Felling, U.K. is proud to announce the successful completion of coating work on one of the world’s largest crude oil carriers, the 442,500 dwt V-Plus TI Africa. Owned and operated by Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (OSG), the 2002 Korean built vessel, one of four sister ships, recently drydocked in Dubai. OSG, which operates 144 vessels, decided to use Intersleek 900 fluoropolymer foul release coating because of its previous experience with Intersleek 700 silicone based products on three OSG-owned VLCC’s. Captain Robert Johnson, OSG’s Head of Worldwide Shipping Operations said, “OSG decided to apply International Paint’s Intersleek 900 on the TI Africa as we believe the benefits from this type of antifouling coating will contribute to a reduction in the vessel’s environmental footprint by eliminating biocides and reducing emissions, while at the same time enhancing the vessel’s efficiency through the water. Our decision to upgrade to the 900 series followed the successful in-service results of Intersleek 700 on three of our VLCC vessels.” JANUARY 2008 MARINE LOG 29 http://www.marinelog.com
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