A proposed revision to an international convention that would force shipowners to remove or seal coatings containing cybutryne has been delayed after an objection by Japan.
A draft amendment to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships had been tabled for approval at last week’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting at the IMO, following a submission by the European Commission.
Under the amendment, newbuildings would not be allowed to apply coatings containing the toxic chemical after October 2021, and existing ships must remove or seal cybutryne coatings at the first dry-docking after 2026.
Health concerns
While Japan supported the move on banning cybutryne coatings for newbuildings, it objected to the requirement that existing ships should be forced to remove or seal in coatings containing the chemical.
Its objection was based on a lack of information on how many ships would be affected and the damage to health caused by extensive blasting to remove coatings.
Many IMO member states supported the move to ban cybutryne but also considered the retrospective removal of such coatings a step too far.
The MEPC decided that the matter needed more consideration and has put the amendment under review until the next MEPC meeting in October, when a more informed decision will be made.
