Environmentally friendly antifouling paints and painting schemes

Abstract

Since the 1970's Tributyl tin based antifouling paints were widely used to control fouling on ships hulls. These coatings offered up to 5 years of foul-free hulls and were the most effective antifouling paints ever produced. However, due to serious environmental effects, these paints have been banned since 2008 and have been replaced by copper based antifouling paints with some success. However, the extensive use of copper based antifouling paints has led to the accumulation of cooper and its compounds in the marine environment particularly in the vicinity of ports and harbors and is beginning to pose a serious environmental problem. This paper explores the possibility of incorporating environmentally friendly biocides in antifouling paints that exhibit a low persistence in the marine environment particularly those biocides that are available in the Indian context. Another serious problem facing the marine environment is the issue of Invasive species. In recent years the issue of invasive marine species has been receiving considerable attention due to the fact that introduction of non indegenous species or non-native species transmigrated from other areas to coastal waters often results in the reduction and even extinction of the native species and thereby severely disrupts the natural marine ecosystems. The predominant vector for the transport of nonindigenous species in marine environments has been shipping. While ballast water receives the most attention, hull fouling is now considered to be the most significant means for translocation of these organisms. Certain niche areas of the vessel such as bow thrusters, sea chest, stern tube, rudder etc. are the likely areas to be heavily fouled. Although this fouling does not affect the overall performance of the vessel, would however, be a vector for the transportation of Invasive species. In addition, the other areas that are likely to be fouled are on locations where antifouling paint has been worn of due to excessive shear and bending of the hull. This paper attempts to identify such areas using CFD simulations and suggest that special paint schemes must be incorporated in these niche areas.