SEAFRONT
Synergistic Fouling Control Technologies
Marine biofouling represents the unwanted colonization of marine organisms on surfaces
immersed in seawater. It has a huge economic and environmental impact in terms of
maintenance requirements for marine structures, increased vessel fuel consumption,
operating costs, greenhouse gas emissions and spread of non-indigenous species.
Conserving the marine ecosystem and reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires the
development and utilization of innovative and environmentally benign fouling control
coatings. |
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The SEAFRONT project will deliver i) cost-effective
coatings solutions with reduced environmental
footprint as determined by comparative life cycle
and eco-efficiency assessment, ii) 50% improvement
in biofouling deterrence and/or biofouling
release measured using newly developed test
methodologies, iii) hydrodynamic drag reduction
resulting in a consequent 5% improvement in
operating efficiency of vessels, all compared to
the latest state-of-the-art commercial coatings. SEAFRONT will release an electronic newsletter quarterly to its stakeholders containing the | highlights of the progress of the project and
latest international developments. Additionally,
a vibrant website will be created containing
major project results, important events and
conferences on marine biofouling and breakthrough
developments at international level.
SEAFRONT will contribute to standardisation by
active participation in international committees
predominantly via partner and market leader
International Paint. In particular, input will be
given to CEPE Antifouling Working group which
directly inputs into the EU regulatory process
for authorising Biocides and Biocidal Products Directive. |
The IPPIC Antifouling working group
holds strong relationships with the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) responsible for
global policy regarding conservation of marine
ecosystems. SEAFRONT contributes to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive by thorough investigation of environmentally benign and sustainable antifouling solutions designed to prevent introduction of biocides, hydrocarbons and heavy metals to the marine environment. SEAFRONT's approach will not only take into account today's REACH regulations, but also anticipates future regulations by avoiding any potentially harmful chemicals that could become restricted by REACH at some point. |
With a multidisciplinary consortium, SEAFRONT
will consider three different technology concepts
and combinations for the development
of environmentally benign fouling control coatings.
Studies aimed at developing an enhanced
mechanistic/fundamental understanding of
the relationships between coating properties
and hydrodynamic drag, biofouling settlement,
biofouling release and biocorrosion along with
establishment of new test methodologies will
be conducted in separate research work packages.
They will run continuously and in parallel
with technology development work packages. The latter will have to select candidate technologies for integration/combination and/or progression to the benchmarking, standardisation and end-user field trials. |
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