Antifouling Paint Singapore

Protect your boat and the water with antifouling paint

Boat lovers everywhere want to make sure their boat stays looking and working its best. Biofouling refers to the growth of microorganisms, plants, algae, or animals that build up on the underwater sections of vessel hulls. This build up decreases the durability and efficiency of a vessel. Antifouling paint works to prevent biofouling, protecting your boat and your pocket.

This article will describe the variety of antifouling paint available, and take a look at the ever-changing regulations regarding biocides. We will also look at the companies that provide antifouling coatings, and where to find them in Singapore.

5 reasons to go for an antifouling paint

The possibly harmful effects of this traffic on our marine environment cannot be overlooked, and this is driving the demand for effective, low cost, low impact antifouling paint as integral part of a boat’s complete coating system. Antifouling paint should be applied because it:

1. Increases the maximum speed of a ship
2. Increases a ship’s durability
3. Lowers fuel consumption
4. Decreases the risk of transferring organisms into foreign waters (such as the Chinese crab)
5. Protects against damaging marine growth such as shipworms

The need-to-knows about antifouling paint in Singapore

For many years, antifouling coatings contained TBT, tributyltin, which is efficient as a repellent, but extremely toxic for sea environment. Since 2010, all ships and floating production storage and offshore loading units in the Port of Singapore, including all harbour craft and pleasure craft, are prohibited from applying or using antifouling systems which contain TBT on their ships or craft. In Singapore the use of antifouling paint and other marine coatings is controlled by Port State Control Officers who may inspect a vessels for compliance to Anti Fouling Systems Convention.

Every antifouling paint system in Singapore waters must be compliant with the AFS Convection.

Ships of 400 GT and above are obliged to carry an International Antifouling System Certificate on board. The International Anti Fouling System Certificate Record of Anti-Fouling Systems shall be drawn up in the form corresponding to the model set out in the AFS Convention. Ships below 400 GT but equal to or above 24 metres in length are required to carry a Declaration on Anti-fouling System, signed by the owner or its authorised agent. The Declaration on Anti-fouling System shall be drawn up in the form corresponding to the model set out in the AFS Convention and accompanied by appropriate documentation (such as a paint receipt or contractor’s invoice) or contain appropriate endorsement.

Types of antifouling paint and foul release systems

Traditionally, antifouling coating works through the action of a biocide – a chemical substance intended to destroy, deter, or render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means. The current biocide used in most antifouling paints is copper, with 90% of antifoul coatings using copper or its oxide as their active ingredient. However there is a trend away from biocides, and new products are emerging on the market which use different properties to fight biofouling.

Biocidal antifouling systems

The mechanism by which biocidal antifouling coatings leach biocides into the surrounding water varies depending on the coating type. Pairing the right delivery system with the substrate, environment, and use of the vessel is vitally important for the correct functioning of the coating. The two main categories of biocidal antifouling paint are:

1. Eroding antifouling
   As the name suggests, this coating uses erosion to deliver biocides.  This can be caused by the friction of the water passing over the hull, or by a chemical reaction which is localised at the surface of the coating. The biocides are released in a controlled manner, which provides longer and more consistent biofoul protection. Unlike hard film antifouling, boats painted with eroding antifoul can be hauled and relaunched without repainting, since the biocides are chemically bound to the paint and are only active in water.
2. Hard film antifouling
   The delivery mechanism for these types of antifouling paint is called ‘contact leaching’. The coating is packed with biocide, and contact with water causes these biocides to leach out. As a result, the antifouling protection is not constant – it starts out high, then wanes as the biocides leach away and all that remains is the hard paint film. These coatings also lose their antifouling ability if kept out of the water, so they cannot be hauled and relaunched without repainting.

Biocide free foul release coatings

Recent developments and the global trend towards sustainability and ecological coatings is driving the study of alternative antifouling methods which do not require the use of a biocide. These include experimental surfaces such as teflon or silicone coated, hydrophobic, and textured hulls which may prevent the biofouling from growing.

Foul release coatings include silicone elastomers, teflon-based coating and fluoropolymer coatings, ceramic coatings, and wax coatings. These coatings are also known as ‘foul release’ coatings because the mechanism does not prevent biofouling from settling, but instead the slipperiness prevents it from attaching. The action of the boat moving through the water is enough to detach biofouling from its tenuous hold.

Another, newer type of antifouling measure is biomimetic coating. The name comes from the Greek for “life-imitating”, and these coatings look to the natural world for inspiration. Coatings that imitate the closely scaled skin of a shark, flocked surfaces that resemble plants, or hydrophobic coatings based on the water-repelling surfaces of the lily pad are all biomimetic coatings.

Choose the best antifouling paint based on 6 questions

Ultimately, the choice of antifouling coating comes down to the best option for the vessel’s substrate, the environment, and the intended use of the vessel. All factors need to be considered to ensure a successful coating. In order to determine which coating is best for your vessel, these are some of the questions you should be asking:

1. Are there any regulation changes which may affect the suitability of the coating?
   After the banning of TBT, marine authorities have been wary of biocides in general. Though copper is currently the most common antifouling active ingredient, and it is not likely to go anywhere anytime soon, the antifouling industry is broadening. Biocide-free options are becoming more common and better-performing as companies within the industry move away from biocides.
2. What are the costs of the coating and the process?
   How much does the paint cost? Does the coating lead to greater fuel efficiency? What surface preparation is required? How often will it require repainting, and what cleaning procedures will be required? Prices per litre is not an adequate representation of price when it comes to antifouling, there are many cost factors at work.
3. What is the expected lifespan of the coating?
   Not all coatings have the same lifespan, especially under differing conditions. Some will protect for 3-5 years, others for the boat’s lifetime.
4. Is the coating suitable for the intended lay-up times, time in port, and water conditions?
   Hard antifouling paints do not maintain their antifouling properties while hauled, where eroding coatings do. Foul release coatings require the ship to move at a certain pace (about 25-30 knots) for the best results, so long times in port or lay up periods would prevent it from functioning effectively. Mooring conditions in warm coastal waters where marine organisms are densest poses an additional biofouling threat, however many ports are now banning copper biocide to combat rising contamination levels.
5. How abrasion resistant is the product?
   The abrasion resistance is relevant for racing boats, as well as ships that require polishing. Highly abrasion resistant paints include the hard film coatings and ceramic coatings.
6. Where, and how often, will the coating and hull need cleaning?
   Can the coating be cleaned without damaging it? Will underwater cleaning risk environmental damage? Downtime from dry-docking and regulations in certain ports preventing underwater cleaning may be factors you need to consider.

Antifouling paint Singapore: find the best product for your vessel

There are many companies operating in Singapore that provide antifouling and foul release products. Among these are AkzoNobel (Intersleek products under the International brand), Hempel, Jotun and the local Chugoku Marine Paints. Price varies across products, but with the range available it is possible to find exactly what you are looking for. Many products are not available for retail markets, and need to be applied by professionals and shipyards. It is always best to consult with professionals when choosing an antifouling paint.

If you would like more information, our experts are happy to help. Just contact us and we will bring you in touch with one of our coating partners to secure a quote for your project. You can do this  through our contact form by clicking the “Request a Quote” button at the bottom of this article. We will help you find the right coating solution for your needs.