Adoption of the Treaty to Completely Ban Organotin-Based Paints - January 2000

Adoption of the Treaty to Completely Ban Organotin-Based Paints - January 2000

In November 1999, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held a meeting in London, where a treaty was adopted to completely ban the use of organotin-based antifouling paints on ship hulls. These paints were used to prevent marine organisms from adhering to ship hulls, but their negative impact on the environment became severe. Tributyltin (TBT), an organotin compound, was particularly noted for its harmful effects on marine ecosystems. According to the treaty, new applications of these paints were banned by 2003, and complete removal from existing ships was mandated by 2008.

Tributyltin is known to affect marine life even in low concentrations, with reports of reproductive abnormalities in shellfish and crustaceans. In response, the IMO demanded prompt action, requiring member countries to establish national laws based on the treaty. Countries with significant ship fleets, such as Japan, Norway, and the United States, have been actively addressing the issue. The development of environmentally friendly alternative coatings is progressing, and technological innovations to reduce environmental impact are highly anticipated in the future.