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LONDON, United Kingdom, October 9, 2001 (ENS) - Ship
paint containing the harmful compounds known as organotins
will be restricted as of January 1, 2003 and banned five years
later, members of the world's primary maritime organization
have agreed.
Cargo ship tied up at a UK dock. Anti-fouling paints
are applied below the water line. (Photo courtesy Freefoto.com)
Anti-fouling paints are painted on the bottoms of ships to
prevent sea life such as algae and molluscs from adhering
to the hulls where they slow down the vessels and increase
fuel consumption. These compounds leach into the sea water,
killing marine life attached to the ship. Studies have shown
that these compounds persist in the water, killing sea life,
harming the environment and possibly entering the food chain.
After keen debate, representatives of the 159 Member States
of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the
new convention Friday ending a five day diplomatic conference
at IMO headquarters in London. The IMO is the United Nations
specialized agency responsible for the safety of shipping
and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
The newly agreed International Convention on the Control
of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships calls for a global
prohibition on the application of organotin compounds which
act as biocides in anti-fouling systems on ships by January
1, 2003, and a complete prohibition by January 1, 2008.
IMO Secretary-General William O'Neil (Photo courtesy
IMO)
IMO Secretary-General William O'Neil said the adoption of
the new convention marks the successful outcome of a task
set by Agenda 21, the plan of environmental action agreed
by governments at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Chapter 17 called on countries to take measures to reduce
pollution caused by organotins compounds used in anti-fouling
systems.
The conference had seen intense debate, O'Neill acknowledged.
But he said, "The IMO spirit of goodwill, understanding and
compromise on the part of the many delegates and observers
from all over the world made it possible to reach consensus
on important issues, such as entry into force criteria."
"Our efforts will now turn to ensuring the convention is
brought into force as soon as possible," O'Neil said, and
asked Parties to do their utmost to prepare for implementing
the convention "as a matter of urgency."
Car and truck carrier (Photo courtesy Freefoto.com)
The agreement will enter into force 12 months after 25 countries
representing 25 percent of the world's merchant shipping tonnage
have ratified it.
Greenpeace, an observer at the IMO conference, says that
years of work by its campaigners and those of other environmental
groups led to the agreement.
"It's taken years of hard discussions to arrive at this
commitment, but today's treaty is a positive step in the right
direction, said Greenpeace toxics campaigner, Martin Besieux,
at the IMO meeting. "It sends a clear signal to the shipping,
paint and chemical industries that their days of abusing the
marine environment are finally over and they must stop producing
and using toxic paints."
Under the terms of the new convention, Parties are required
to prohibit and/or restrict the use of harmful anti-fouling
systems on ships flying their flag, as well as ships not entitled
to fly their flag but which operate under their authority
and all ships that enter a port, shipyard or offshore terminal
of a Party.
The agreement prohibits the use of organotins in anti-fouling
paints used on ships and will establish a mechanism to prevent
the potential future use of other harmful substances in anti-fouling
systems. Anti-fouling systems to be banned or controlled will
be listed in an annex to the convention, which will be updated
as necessary.
Ships of 400 gross tonnage and above engaged in international
voyages will have to undergo an initial survey before the
ship is put into service or before an International Anti-fouling
System Certificate is issued for the first time. Further surveys
must be undertaken when the anti-fouling systems are changed
or replaced.
Ships of 24 meters (78 feet) or more in length but less
than 400 gross tonnage engaged in international voyages will
have to carry a Declaration on Anti-fouling Systems signed
by the owner or authorized agent. The declaration will have
to be accompanied by documentation such as a paint receipt
or contractor invoice.
Oil tankers at Fawley, UK (Photo courtesy Freefoto.com)
The agreement urges the relevant industries to refrain from
marketing, sale and application of the substances controlled
by the Convention.
One of the most effective anti-fouling paints, developed
in the 1960s, contains the organotin tributylin (TBT), which
has been proven to cause deformations in oysters and sex changes
in whelks.
TBT has been found to impair the immune systems of some organisms.
Once in the marine environment, TBT can travel far from the
source of contamination and has been found in the tissues
of cetaceans, seals, sea otters and water birds around the
world.
"Today's decision is a victory for the marine environment
that is being severely damaged by toxic ship paints," said
Besieux. "It illustrates a growing awareness that there's
no place for hazardous products in today's world."
By January 1, 2003, all ships shall not apply or re-apply
organotin compounds which act as biocides in anti-fouling
systems.
By January 1, 2008, ships either shall not bear such compounds
on their hulls or external parts or surfaces; or shall bear
a coating that forms a barrier to such compounds leaching
from the underlying non-compliant anti-fouling systems.
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