Copper in Antifoulings: Going from Strength to Strength
This article gives an updated overview of the use of copper in antifouling paints. In the first part, the worldwide regulatory status is summarized, for both commercial vessels and pleasure craft, based on the results from the detailed scrutiny of copper that has been undertaken by regulators in recent years in countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the EU. Ship performance data is then presented that shows the economic and environmental benefits that use of a premium copper-based antifouling can deliver. The increasingly sophisticated monitoring systems that are now being deployed on ships for measuring energy efficiency are able to isolate hull and propeller effects, and thus show the benefits of having a hull fully protected from fouling.
Every country in the world allows or has formally approved the use of copper antifouling coatings in their waters, and whenever a complete scientific risk assessment has been conducted, the use of copper has been approved. A complete risk assessment is appropriate for a complicated issue such as this because fouled vessel hulls have serious consequences, and the benefits of effective antifouling coatings that use safe and approved biocides such as copper have significant environmental benefits. Copper is still the largest, most successful, environmentally sound method used worldwide to prevent biofouling: some recent positive decisions are highlighted below.