Bangkok, Thailand June The International Regulatory Framework – Anti-fouling Systems on Ships – Issues and Responses Edward Kleverlaan Technical Officer International Maritime Organization

Bangkok, Thailand June Overview  Anti-fouling Systems - Issues  IMO Responses  New systems – not based organotins  Conclusions

Bangkok, Thailand June A fouled hull is an economic and environmental disaster for a ship owner : 1. Fouling and the need for its prevention

Bangkok, Thailand June Weed Fouling: Up to 10% increase in drag Enteromorpha (“Marine Grass”)

Bangkok, Thailand June Shell Fouling: Up to 40% increase in drag

Bangkok, Thailand June A totally fouled hull is an economic burden : vessel operates with reduced efficiency and safety, forcing dry-docking In context : docking costs > EURO per day for a large vessel Economic impact of a fouled hull

Bangkok, Thailand June Environmental impact of a fouled hull A fouled hull increases environmental impact of shipping : If the world fleet were totally fouled, an extra 70.6 million tonnes of fossil fuel would be burned, leading to : an extra 210 million tonnes CO 2 Global warming an extra 5.6 million tonnes SO 2 Acid rain Increased air pollution

Bangkok, Thailand June A fouled hull increases environmental impact of shipping : A fouled hull causes a serious risk of transport of invasive species across the world A fouled hull forces vessels to dry-dock, increasing pollution from shipyards Environmental impact of a fouled hull

Bangkok, Thailand June Conclusion so far : There is a need to prevent fouling of ships hulls for safety, economic and environmental reasons How it is prevented is a key issue...

Bangkok, Thailand June What is Fouling? “Macro-fouling” = Weed + Animal“Micro-fouling” = Slime Some 4000 fouling species exist globally

Bangkok, Thailand June Quick history  AF systems used to prevent sea-life such as algae, molluscs and crustaceans attaching themselves to the hull –increasing fuel consumption and decreasing manoeuvrability  Limes, Arsenic, copper plating etc

Bangkok, Thailand June When using biocides to control fouling there are two key issues: Biocides (types, quantities, environmental effects, human safety) Release mechanism Biocidal antifouling paint technology

Bangkok, Thailand June Biocide Release Mechanisms  For biocides to be effective, they have to be released into the sea from the antifouling.  For biocides to be effective, they have to be released into the sea from the antifouling.  Sea water is alkaline (pH ~ 8) and biocidal anti- foulings work by having an acidic binder component that can dissolve in sea water, thus releasing biocides. Acid Binder + Biocides Released Biocides Dissolved Binder

Bangkok, Thailand June Biocidal anti-fouling paints Biocidal anti-fouling paints biocide is released from paint film on the ship’s hull creating a micro-layer of toxicity at the paint surface, preventing settling of organisms biocide is released from paint film on the ship’s hull creating a micro-layer of toxicity at the paint surface, preventing settling of organisms Marine diatom Achnanthes sp. Zoospores of Ulva intestinalis

Bangkok, Thailand June  1960’s/1970’s – Introduction of paints with TBT – (  1960’s/1970’s – Introduction of paints with TBT – (tributyltin) TBT- self polishing anti-fouling paints

Bangkok, Thailand June Characteristics of Organotins (TBT) Pro’s  exceptionally effective – dry dock every 5 years  broad spectrum  environmental (limits marine pests) and  economic benefits Con’s  highly toxic to marine organisms: food chain

Bangkok, Thailand June Effects on non-target organisms  Persistent in marine sediments (half life of many years) Bioaccumulating (factors of > 6000 measured) Biomagnification (r esidues detected in marine mammals)  Reproductive system: marine shellfish, fish, surface feeding sea birds, wild fowl, humans  Immune system: linked to mass mortalities (seals, dolphins)

Bangkok, Thailand June International Response  1980’s: issue recognition and consideration by IMO/MEPC  Early 1990’s: Calls for action within IMO to phase out use worldwide and to promote environmentally safe anti- fouling techniques

Bangkok, Thailand June  Mid-late 1990’s –more evidence of bio- accumulative effects –more countries ban use of TBT –IMO-MEPC agrees to develop mandatory regulations –IMO-Assembly Resolution adopted setting out the timetable to phase out organotin compounds in AF- systems International Response

Bangkok, Thailand June – IMO Diplomatic Conference adopts AFS- Convention

Bangkok, Thailand June Since the late 1990s several TBT-free SPC technologies have been successfully introduced and widely used The main TBT-free biocidal product/technology introductions have been as follows: –Copper Acrylate, Silyl Acrylate –Zinc Acrylate, Silyl Acrylate/Rosin –Copper Acrylate / CDP hybrid TBT-free SPC technology

Bangkok, Thailand June ANIMALS PLANTS EXO-SKELETON NO EXO-SKELETON POLYCELLULAR UNICELLULAR Copper compound BARNACLES TUBEWORMS MUSSELS HYDROIDS SEA SQUIRTS GREEN ALGAE BROWN ALGAE RED ALGAE DIATOMACEOUS SLIMES Organic Boosters Biocide types used in TBT-free antifouling paints Some 4000 fouling species exist globally

Bangkok, Thailand June Biocide Other Applications Effects on living organisms DiuronHerbicide Inhibition of photosynthesis in plants Carcinogenic Deformed growth of fish larvae Irgarol 1051 Herbicide Inhibition of photosynthesis in plants Zn pyrithrione Bactericide, fungicide, Shampoos Allergic contact dermatitis in humans Inhibition of cell growth in mammals Paralysis in rabbits, mutagenic potential Cu pyrithrione Bactericide,Fungicide Under evaluation Sea-nine Eye irritation, sensitation, toxic on inhalation in humans. Future Issues - Toxic effects of organic biocides

Bangkok, Thailand June Ultimate solution to fouling control is a biocide-free hull coating to which fouling organisms cannot attach Developed in the 1990’s, the emergence of the Fast Ferry (> 30 knots) market provided the ideal opportunity to commercialise foul-release coating technology Use then expanded to include all high activity, fast vessels such as LNGs, car carriers, scheduled ships, container vessels etc. Biocide-free foul-release coatings

Bangkok, Thailand June  The fundamental rule for good adhesion is “like-sticks- to-like”, ie surfaces with the same surface energy stick best.  Barnacles use a glue to stick to surfaces, usually consisting of hydrophilic (water loving) polymers.  Foul Release coatings are hydrophobic (water hating) thus fouling adhesion is minimised  Control of slime fouling less effective Foul-release coatings – 1 st generation Barnacles cannot easily stick to the ultra smooth hydrophobic surface Diatomaceous slimes have hydrophilic adhesive

Bangkok, Thailand June Diatomaceous slimes have hydrophilic adhesive Slime washed off at D/D

Bangkok, Thailand June The very latest advances in foul release coatings technology, significantly improves upon the performance of first generation silicon elastomer systems New surface nano-technology provides an amphiphilic surface - both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. It has been established that marine fouling organisms secrete an adhesive protein or glycoprotein, either of a hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature. By having a balanced amphiphilic surface we can minimise the chemical and electrostatic interactions between the surface and the adhesive secreted from a wider range of fouling organisms…………….. Foul-release coatings – latest technology

Bangkok, Thailand June Performance after static immersion 3 months UK 2006 Experimental Latest technology 1 st generation Smoother surface, lower coefficient of friction

Bangkok, Thailand June Foul-release coatings – latest technology - benefits Biocide-free - suitable for all vessels operating above 10 knots Offer significant fuel savings / Greenhouse gas emission reductions compared with biocidal antifoulings : - 6% predicted fuel and GHG emissions savings over SPC coated vessels as coating is smoother and has a better coefficient of friction than the surface of an SPC biocidal antifouling

Bangkok, Thailand June Conclusions  IMO has introduced effective controls on harmful based anti-foulings systems in response to serious environmental risks.  Effective TBT-free SPC biocidal anti-fouings have been successfully introduced into the market that are registered for use by US-EPA, EU authorities  Foulant release (biocide-free) fouling control coatings are available for use on all vessels operating > 10 knots offering significant environmental benefits including reductions in GHG emissions from ships compared with biocidal anti-foulings

Bangkok, Thailand June Thank you