Home: Message List - Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Scappa — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:44:48 GMT

Greetings,

Sorry. I forgot to send you this interesting link.

http://www.ambio.bham.ac.uk/about/pdf%20files/IOB.pdf

Thank you again.
Scappa.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Scappa — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:24:19 GMT

Greetings Lighthouse24,

You are correct in your assertion that a few nations have restricted the use of copper based paints and some biocides. Truth is that they will love to prohibit them, but there are no viable economic choices today to exchange those compounds with, neither there is a "marine police" to enforce it. And here is where I am going to make my money.

In any case, I was not talking about the the International Maritime Organization (IMO), an organization born out of the formerly known Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO). The assertions you made in your response are correct in regards of this organization. It is stimulating and invigorating to have a discussion with someone like you who knows and understand what is talking about. Most people I talk to they look at me with googeely eyes and just nod their heads in assent.

The prohibitions I am talking about come from The American Fisheries Society (AFS) and the use of these elements - to include paints made with a base of tributylin and stannic compounds- in nets and fisheries, to include the fishing fleets. Toxicogenomic analysis certainly shows that those elements are bad for marine fauna.

Regarding the container ship Emma Mærsk, that ship has more goodies than the expensive silicon-based coating as you correctly point out. It also has exhaust recycling system for its engine, the biggest Diesel engine that exists today, and it possesses recycling systems for water, garbage, and heat system aboard. Bringing up the Emma Mærsk as example was an excellent choice you made. Thank you.

Regarding the US Navy, I can not tell you much but all products used for the fouling prevention shipboard application are required to pass a Health Hazard Assessment (HHA) performed by the Navy Environmental Health Center (NEHC) before anything else. We have performed other tests and we are currently performing specific applications tests that I am not in liberty to discuss; and I am not being cocky or arrogant here, please believe me!

When all is over, I will be happy to share with you whatever I can in regards to this item. For now, thank you for entertaining such an inspirational discussion.

Sincerely,

Scappa.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Lighthouse24 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:26:03 GMT

Thanks for the additional info. Which of the U.S. Navy's test methods/stages has your product undergone and completed?

I'd agree that the IMO convention you cited most definitely banned antifouling paints made with tributylin (TBT) for non-aluminum craft, but you noted that "copper-based paints and biocides are outlawed." I was only aware of three nations that had restricted (but not prohibited) bottom paints with copper, and last I heard, California was the only U.S. state even considering restrictions. I was also under the impression that two of the three types of bottom paint currently approved and most widely used on U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels are copper-based (MIL-PRF-24647), as are those used by most container freight, tanker, and passenger ships in the world. Am I mistaken?

The Emma Maersk, launched late in 2006, made a big splash (pun intended) out of being the first ship in that company's fleet to use a very expensive silicon-based (non-copper, non-biocide) bottom coating. The other 600+ container ships in their fleet (the largest of the world's large ships) are using Type II bottom paint systems that contain copper (for now, at least). Of course, everyone is interested in solutions that are better for the environment if they perform acceptably, are cost-effective to purchase and apply, and safe to transport, store, and use.

Thank you in advance for any clarification you can provide.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Scappa — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:28:24 GMT

Greetings Lighthouse24,

Thank you for your contribution. You are right, peppers are been used for this and other purposes since 3,000 BC. However, as you pointed out correctly, in a large commercial scale are not practical, are not enough, or economic. I must say that many of the copper-base paints and biocides are prohibited in fisheries, and are not used in large vessels. If you have a small boat, made out of wood or fiberglass, the copper-based anti-fouling paint you use in your boat is OK, but for large carriers are not. This paints and coatings cause stagnant sediment which kills marine fauna if used in substantial quantities. If you have the opportunity to review the INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION TREATY ON THE CONTROL OF HARMFUL ANTI-FOULING SYSTEMS ON SHIPS OF 2001, that entered into full force in January 7, 2007, you will see that many of the copper-base paint and biocides are outlawed.

My product is meant for large, industrialized consumption. It is a lot cheaper than any product in the market, and unlike the paints, it is biodegradable. Marine fouling, although an expensive nuisance, it is not a significant problem for small vessels as it is for tankers, or warships, for example.

My product was tested by the US Navy, the Chilean Navy, and the Indian Navy, and it did stand its claims. Marine biofouling it is oblivious to the size or might of a Navy or a maritime carrier fleet. After studies performed on the cost of fouling removal, big vessels are second to none in cost resulting from countering marine biofouling.

When I started this, I did follow what you cleverly suggest as to look for cost, storage, and application limitations, and I am happy to say that I was able to put those to rest. Unfortunately I can not send you a sample of the product since I am in negotiations with a market giant for the exclusive distribution rights of this line of products. I am sure you will find the product amazing, cheap, easy to apply, and literally, with no restrictions.

Thank you for your time and consideration in reading my article, and I hope there is more people like you out there that can contribute with positive and constructive suggestions.

Thanks Lighthouse24, and best wishes and luck to you too.

Scappa.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

intechspecial — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:32:02 GMT

Very sound advice Lighthouse.

Your comments are always both informative and entertaining.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Lighthouse24 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:32:51 GMT

Sailors have been crushing up dried chili peppers and stirring them into bottom paint for almost as long as there has been bottom paint. On a large commercial scale, however, that solution comes with its own set of problems, most of which have traditionally been more costly and dangerous to deal with than say, copper-based biocides (which are not prohibited and are widely used throughout the world -- I use a copper-based anti-fouling paint on my boat). So I'm wondering if the "novel and innovative technology" you mention is something that overcomes those cost, storage, and application limitations in order to make this a truly viable commercial product. If so, I'd recommend focusing more on that aspect (and less on the basics of marine fouling) -- because I'd think that's the underlying question or traction statement that a knowledgable investor, industry analyst, or commercial buyer would be looking for with this. Just a suggestion. Best wishes.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

intechspecial — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:21:38 GMT

You are welcome!

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Scappa — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:27:17 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

Scappa — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:26:56 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Marine Biofouling as a Business Opportunity

intechspecial — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:40:24 GMT

Some extremely valueable information.

Thanks for your post, and welcome to the community!