Innovative antifouling coatings for a lower environmental impact

Protection of ships hulls against biofouling is a process as old as man’s use of ships as a form of transport. Tributyltin-based (TBT) antifouling paints have been successfully used for over 40 years to protect ship's hull from biofouling. However, due to its high toxicity versus marine organisms, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted the AFS Convention, which prohibits the use of harmful organotins in antifouling paints used on ships (entered into force in 2008). This paper reviews recent literature focuses on the evaluation of the available techniques for innovative free-TBT antifouling coatings with a lower environmental impact