Protecting boat and ocean health requires careful balance of antifouling coatings

By Dr.

In a 2020 study by biotech company I-Tech AB and independent marine coatings consultancy Safinah Group, data revealed that nearly every vessel inspected and analysed contributes significantly to the health of our oceans and the shipping environment.

While hard fouling results in detrimental levels of fuel consumption, biofouling in "niche" areas such as valve boxes, thrusters, and grilles produces some of the most significant and widespread risk

Niche Regions: Key Uncharted Areas for Ship Operations

While data are hard to come by, niche areas may account for up to 10% of the total underwater hull surface of the global shipping fleet

Let's take the valve box area of ​​a ship as an example

There are several reasons why niche areas are favorable environments for the accumulation of biofouling organisms

Coating damage is also a common factor, as niche areas are more susceptible to turbulence than smooth hull areas

Therefore, when it comes to biofouling, we cannot ignore these parts of the underwater structure of the hull

problem assessment

The problem of pollution in niche areas is certainly not a small problem, nor one that can or should be ignored

The study found that although the coverage of hard fouling on the flat underwater hull surfaces of ships varies, at least 95% of the global commercial fleet is heavily polluted in niche areas

Ironically, these types of ships are most likely to use some form of fuel technology to support emissions reductions, such as dual-fuel engines, hybrid engines or even all-electric engines

Hull biofouling poses a serious biosecurity threat to marine ecosystems through its role in the transport of invasive aquatic species (IAS)

Without decades of research, analysis, and conditions to assess the severity of IAS, it is difficult to gain insight into the long-term impact of the problem

Considering the risks this poses, and how difficult it is to address ecoregional areas, we were surprised to find that this is not an industry-recognized problem

Will increased regulation help solve the problem?

Regardless of the details, general regulations to protect our waters from the biosecurity risks posed by biofouling are on the horizon

In recent years, New Zealand authorities have taken stricter measures to protect its fragile marine ecosystem

Likewise, California ports require (as of October 2017) that all vessels of 300 gt or more must complete and submit the Marine Invasive Species Program Annual Vessel Reporting Form at least 24 hours prior to their first arrival at any California port in the calendar year
.
In addition, from January 2018, ships must submit a "Biofouling Management Plan" and record all management measures in the logbook
.

For many, the challenge here is breaking free of red tape
.
These regulations are likely to be the beginning of stricter measures around ship requirements and a greater emphasis on hull safety when ships enter coastal waters
.

With ever-increasing regulation, the need to develop and use effective antifouling agents, a substance added to coatings to address biological contamination, has become increasingly urgent
.
However, a new challenge has arisen here, with the use of many of these actives and others for fouling mitigation facing increasing restrictions around the world
.
For coatings, it is mainly because of the "biocide" of the active agent
.

The addition of biocides is determined by the levels of potentially harmful chemicals used in the adjuvant complex, including numerous chemicals used to deter or eliminate hard fouling and biofouling
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Many biocides used in marine coatings are effective in killing barnacles and other forms of fouling
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This has increased pressure on the industry to develop environmentally friendly and species-friendly systems that do not harm marine species without sacrificing the protection, or even profitability, of ship operations
.

While these sensitivities and requirements may seem like a challenge—and maybe even a cause for frustration—there are simple ways to reduce the risk of biofouling under regulation, and they aren’t as complex as the current problem
.

find a solution

The first and most obvious step to take for operators and ship owners is the effective use of antifouling coatings from the ship's development phase, which will keep the ship in top shape for future operations and maintenance
.
During this stage of the ship's life cycle, more time and effort should be spent on coating special areas where the structure can make application and ongoing maintenance extremely difficult
.

Not all antifouling coatings are created equal
.
When considering which coatings are best for marine operations, coatings with higher polish rates may be more suitable for niche areas where quality is really needed in low water flow conditions than smooth areas of the boat
.

It is important that when it comes to changes and various regulations, operators and ship owners should strive to be fully aware of all the facts
.
Regulatory challenges may vary by region, with the European Union (EU) at the forefront of stringent marine environmental regulatory action and increasingly stringent regulations around biocides
.
The regulatory environment here is particularly complex, as member states must debate how to approve products
.

I-Tech's active agent Selektop® has received seven-year approval from the European Union, which is still in progress and is expected to be renewed in early 2023
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The adjuvant is an alternative form of fungicide, and has greater benefits for its implementation and regulatory approval, primarily because it repels barnacles and other forms of biofouling, rather than killing them
.

Selektope is not a typical fungicide
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It is a repellant, not a fouling species killer, and in addition, the agent is very effective at low concentrations, which reduces the overall biocidal load of any coating to which it is added
.
From a regulatory perspective, this is a significant major advantage
.

in conclusion 

As with most challenges facing the shipping industry, biofouling will ultimately require multiple solutions and support parties to help protect vessel operations and the environment
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As we have seen in other sectors and issues, collaborative thinking and a unified mind to find viable solutions will greatly improve maritime's ability to deal with biofouling and its harmful effects
.

Visit https://i-tech.
se/ for more information
.

References: 

1 Moser, CS; Wier, TP; First, MR et al.
Quantifying the extent of niche areas in the global fleet of commercial ships: the potential for “super-hot spots” of biofouling.
Biol Invasions 19, 1745-1759 (2017 ).
https://doi.
org/10.
1007/s10530-017-1386-4.