Antifouling Paints

Patch Trial Underway in Australia

The Problem

Fouling organisms such as barnacles, molluscs and algae on a ship's hull interfere with its performance and durability, increasing both fuel consumption and costs. Many are also potential pests in our waters.

There are strong commercial and environmental reasons to stop marine biofouling.

For years anti-fouling paints releasing mainly organotin-based biocides such as tributyltin (TBT) into the water have been highly effective. Unfortunately TBT is highly toxic to some marine species and harmful to the marine environment.

In response to growing concern, the Australian Government is supporting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in phasing out and implementing a ban on harmful anti-fouling systems.

While Australia and many other countries introduced controls in line with IMO recommendations on the use of TBT-based anti-foulant paints, Australian waters are still being used by ships coated with anti-foulants which would not meet Australian standards.

The Project

Technological developments over the past decade are making effective alternatives available. We need to test a wide range of TBT-free anti-fouling paints - some available and in use overseas — under normal commercial conditions to help industry to gain confidence in them before the international ban comes into effect.

The project will:

test the efficacy of newly developed TBT-free anti-fouling coatings on Australian vessels with long docking intervals (4-5 years);
include up to 24 vessels operating in Australian harbours and in offshore waters; and
extend to temperate and tropical zones around Australia.

This is a cooperative project with:

Australian Shipowners Association
Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation
Defence, Science and Technology Organisation
National Registration Agency

Major funding is being drawn from the Antifouling Program which was initiated under the Natural Heritage Trust and Australia's Oceans Policy.

Paint Companies/manufacturers in Patch Trial

Mr Bill Philips
Wattyl Australia
PO Box 335
Archerfield QLD 4108
Tel (07) 3853 2800
Fax (07) 3274 4529
billwatq@ozemail.com.au

Mr John Millett
AZKO NOBEL
PO Box 6624
SILVERWATER NSW 2128
Tel (02) 9684 0361
Fax (02) 9898 0470
Mobile +61-(0)41853199
John.Millett@akzonobel.com.au

Ted Riding
Jotun
Tel (03) 9314 0722
eriding@jotun.com.au

Mr Col O'Malley (Kansai)
Director
Corrosion Control Management Pty Ltd
34A Joseph Street
BLACKBURN NORTH VIC 3130
Tel: (03) 9898 0777
Fax: (03) 9899 5876
Mobile: 0414 342 593

Mr Dave Ronson
Ameron (Australia) Pty Ltd
Dave_Ronson@ameron.co.nz

Mr Jan de Jonge
Hempel's Marine Paints
Tel: (03) 9360 0933
Fax: (03) 9360 0894
jan_de_jonge@au.hempel.com

Mr John Vyse
Managing Director
Chugoku Marine Paints (Australia)
P O Box 151
Cloverdale WA 6105
Ph: (08) 9353-2293
Fx: (08) 9353-2652
supalux@iprimus.com.au

Contacts:

The Department of the Environment and Heritage - Antifouling Program
Edward Kleverlaan
Phone: 02 - 6274 1750
Email: edward.kleverlaan@deh.gov.au

Jennifer Taylor
Manager, Operations and Environment
Level 1, 4 Princes Street
Port Melbourne 3207
Victoria Australia
Ph: (03) 9646 0755
Fax: (03) 9646 2256
Mob: 0417 535 881
jennifer.taylor@asa.com.au