Background
Antifouling paints containing DDT are mainly used on sea fishing ships. There are 300,000 medium and small size ships widely distributed along the 18,000 km. coastline in China, which consume 10,000 metric tonnes (MT) antifouling paints. Approximately half is DDT based antifouling paint, and the other half is TBT based antifouling paint. Because DDT is a Persistent Organic Pollutant, it can damage sea organisms and sea ecosystems, and be accumulated in the bodies of sea organisms when it is released into sea from the antifouling paints coated on the ships’ surface.Use of DDT in this manner is not considered a permitted use under the Stockholm Convention, and there are no specific exemptions available to continue such production and use. Thus, China is obliged to take action to phase out the use of DDT as additive in the production of antifouling paint.
The objective is to draw upon international experiences in developing and optimizing antifouling paint formulations as well as scale production of antifouling paint products.
Duties and Responsibilities
The scope of this task will focus on antifouling paint products with an effective life no longer than 1 year used by small and medium sized fishing and commercial ships.
- An initial discussion of these Terms of Reference with respect to the objectives and activities, based upon which a work plan will be proposed and discussed with UNDP and MEP
- Review and summarize technical guidance and experience in developing and optimizing formulations of short-life, low-cost, and environmentally friendly antifouling paints
- Analyze the formulations of alternatives to the DDT antifouling paint tested by the project and recommend optimization and improvement solutions
- Develop training materials and deliver trainings to Chinese enterprises on pilot and scale production of optimized and improved alternatives to the DDT antifouling paint
Competencies
- Excellent written and spoken ability of English
- Good skills in communicating with other experts and project staff
- Basic knowledge of the Stockholm Convention on POPs is an asset
Required Skills and Experience
More than 10 years experience in formulation and production of antifouling paints