Applicable to:  Ship owners, managers, operators, masters, builders, repairers, paint manufacturers and suppliers and the Shipping Community.

1   Shipping Circular No. 22 of 2008 drew the attention of the Shipping Community to the IMO Guidelines for survey, certification, brief sampling, and inspection of anti-fouling systems on ships.  It also provided information regarding anti-fouling systems approved, restricted, or prohibited under domestic laws of Parties to the AFS Convention.

2   This circular provides “Draft Guidance on Best Management Practices for Removal of Anti-Fouling Coatings from Ships, including TBT hull paints” bearing in mind the 2008 deadline for a total prohibition of TBT-based anti-fouling systems on ships under the AFS Convention.

3   The AFS convention, which will enter into force on 17 Sep 08, will prohibit the use of
organotin biocides in anti-fouling paints used on ships. As a consequence, ships will have to either replace or overcoat their existing organotin-based anti-fouling systems. If the large amount of TBT-containing waste that is expected to be generated at shipyards and other facilities as owner/operators attempt to achieve compliance prior to Sep 08 is not properly managed, it will adversely affect the quality of bottom sediments in nearby waters and thereby create additional pressure to dispose of such sediments on land.

4   The Scientific Groups established under the London Convention and Protocol began to develop guidance on ‘Best Management Practices’ (BMPs) for removal of anti-fouling coatings from ships in 2006. The Scientific Groups discussed an initial report of BMPs in Jun 07.

5   In Nov 07, the governing bodies under the London Convention and Protocol
noted that this issue had now become very urgent as the AFS Convention would enter into force on 17 Sep 08. It was agreed to inform MEPC 57, by way of interim advice, of
the current information collected in the Scientific Groups on environmentally-sound
removal methods of anti-fouling systems from ships, resulting in document MEPC 57/INF.2. In May 08, the Scientific Groups continued their work, as planned, and prepared a report for submission to MEPC 58 (Oct 08). The text of “Draft Guidance on Best Management Practices for Removal of Anti-Fouling Coatings from Ships, including TBT hull paints, contained in the annex to IMO document, MEPC 58/INF.3 (see attachment), provides a survey on BMPs for the removal of anti-fouling paints, followed by sources describing the chemical/mechanical treatment of  wastewater. References and links to the most relevant documents are set out at the end of the annex.

6   The Shipping Community is advised to follow the draft guidance pending finalization of the guidance by IMO. 

7   Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to Mr Zafrul Alam (Tel: 6375 6204).

KHONG SHEN PING
DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE