Jotun Changes Over to TBT Free Antifoulings

Jotun Paints confirmed the October 10, 2001 announcement on phasing out of antifouling paints containing organotin compounds. The move comes in preparation for the IMO’s ban on the application of paints containing organotin biocides, which will go into effect January 1, 2003. From that date, the complete Jotun Paints antifouling range will comply with IMO’s requirements. According to Jotun, their antifouling technology will maintain performance equal to existing TBT products and will continue to meet expectations. Jotun Paints is gearing manufacture and supply of antifouling paints over the rest of this year to make the transition to the TBT free era as smooth and hassle free as possible, while avoiding the problem of surplus TBT products in 2003. A limited range will serve customers’ needs until the end of this year. Meanwhile, the manufacture of Jotun Paints’ TBT free antifouling range will be increased. IMO requirements The total withdrawal of TBT products from the Jotun range conforms fully with the IMO's 'International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships'. The 'Convention' prohibits the application of TBT formulations from January 1, 2003, and requires the removal or sealing of all TBT antifoulings by January 1, 2008. Why shipowners should comply By choosing Jotun Paints’ antifouling, and a sealer when necessary, ship owners can be confident that their system complies with IMO requirements. The application of TBT free antifouling must be documented to the satisfaction to the vessel’s flag state and classification society and flag state. All vessels coated from the effective date of 1 January 2003 must should document their compliance from the date of application. Vessels with TBT paint applied subsequent to 1 January 2003, will experience problems with control at some port states. Such vessels may be forced to dry-dock prematurely in order to obtain the compulsory International Anti-fouling System Certificate. Because all antifouling products specified by Jotun Paints will be cCompliant, a systems from Jotun Paints will secure sailing patterns including all counties’ ports for the full life of the antifouling. Vessels applying fully TBT free systems do not risk being charged for measures to control emissions of TBT next time it is washed in a extra in dry-docks for controlling TBT emissions. Jotun’s ‘SeaQuantum’ range is among the most advanced TBT free self polishing antifouling and is one of the few on the market , which fully hydrolyses in water, thus avoiding increased hull roughness throughout the lifetime of the coating. This is because the self-polishing effect is achieved by an identical hydrolysis release mechanism, but without the use of organotin compounds. Because the surface becomes increasingly smooth as the coating wears, there are major financial benefits when it comes to operating a vessel as the fuel consumption is reduced due to the reduced friction. SeaQuantum is developed in conjunction with the Japanese chemicals group Nippon Oil and Fats (NOF). The Quantum technology is one result of a more than 30 year long partnership. There are currently four products in the range: ‘SeaQuantum Plus’ for vessels that sail at more than 18 knots, ‘SeaQuantum Classic’ for vessels that sail at between 12 and 20 knots, and ‘SeaQuantum FB’ for a vessel's flat bottom, which is less exposed to fouling. In addition ‘SeaQuantum Ultra’ is developed to protect staticly immersed structures and slow moving vessels from fouling