Push continues for TBT ban

UNION, N.J. – Twenty-seven countries have ratified the treaty to ban the presence of Tributyltin on boat hulls beginning Sept. 17, 2008, according to a statement today from Interlux Yacht Finishes. The Bahamas is the latest country to sign up and the U.S. and Canada are expected to follow in the near future, Interlux said.

In January, President Bush sent the AFS Treaty to the U.S. Senate and said, “I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Convention (AFS Treaty) and give its advice and consent to its ratification.”

The International Maritime Organization adopted the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Treaty) in October 2001 with the provision it would go into effect one year after ratification by 25 member countries with 25 percent of the world’s tonnage. On Sept. 17, 2007, that number was reached when Panama ratified the treaty, bringing the tonnage to 38.11 percent. This means that on Sept. 17, 2008, the AFS Treaty will be in force in all countries that have ratified the treaty.

  • For more of the latest news, click here.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button