Marine-coatings manufacturers and users must campaign for the continued use of copper-based antifouling materials and seek to avert a sequel to the scenario that is likely to sink the use of tin-based antifouling agents due to environmental concerns.
That was a dominant theme sounded at the National Paint & Coatings Association’s recent Marine and Offshore Coatings Conference in Virginia Beach, VA. Representatives of major marine-coatings manufacturers, joined by suppliers of copper-containing biocidal antifouling agents used in those paints, warned that moves to restrict the use of copper-containing paints would torpedo the ability to protect hulls of ocean-going vessels from attack by marine organisms. Such “fouling” organisms can adversely affect the performance of ships by creating “drag” when vessels are underway, and also add significantly to ship-maintenance costs.