GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS BLOCK "TOXIC" SHIP IN ANTWERP DOCK

6 October 1999

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -- Greenpeace activists today blocked the ship MSC Carmen in the 'Shiprepair' dock in the harbor of Antwerp, Belgium. The activists prevent the ship from leaving the dock, where it has been painted with paint containing tributyl tin (TBT). TBT is a highly toxic biocide used in ship paints to prevent the growth of algae and mussels on ship hulls. It leaches from the ship's paint into the water, and is a source of serious marine pollution.

"The biocide TBT is not registered for use in Belgium so according to Belgium law its use is illegal," said Greenpeace Belgium spokesperson Jan Turf. "Even though the use of TBT is illegal in Belgium, and there are biocide free alternatives available, TBT ship paints are still available on the Belgium market".

Greenpeace samples taken near the "Shiprepair" dock show high levels of TBT, indicating its ongoing use. Greenpeace is demanding that the harbor and government authorities live up to their responsibilities and stop the illegal use of TBT.

TBT, an organic tin compound, disrupts the endocrine system leading to the development of male sex characteristics in female snails. TBT also impairs the immune system of organisms, and shellfish develop malformations after exposure to extremely low levels of TBT in seawater.

TBT accumulates in sediment, especially in areas with high ship traffic such as harbors, ports, and near docks where old paint is removed and ships are repainted. Sludge samples taken by Greenpeace from the Zeebrugge and Antwerp harbors contained TBT levels up to 10,000 ppb (micrograms per kilogram), which is 1500 times above the maximum allowed by the Belgium federal government for sludge that is dumped into the sea.

Studies have found that even sperm whales, which live and feed in the deep oceans far away from port and shipping lanes, have appreciable amounts of TBT in their bodies. This implies that TBT might be widely dispersed in the marine environment, even though it was introduced as a ship paint only some in the 1960s.

"Belgium should implement their existing ban by prohibiting further sales of TBT paint - taking the lead on TBT elimination within the EU and OSPAR countries," said Turf.

Organotins, like TBT, are on the priority list of chemicals whose elimination is mandated by the Oslo-Paris (OSPAR) Commission. OSPAR is a European agreement between ministers of countries surrounding the Northeast Atlantic along with the EU Environmental Commissioner to eliminate all releases of hazardous substances into the environment within one generation (2020). Measures for the priority list of chemicals should be developed by 2003. In addition, the International Maritime Organisation is currently discussing a proposal for a worldwide ban on TBT in ship paints by 2003 for new applications and a total ban on all ships by 2008.

This action in Belgium is Greenpeace's third exposé of TBT pollution in Europe in the last few weeks, after Rotterdam and Hamburg. The MV Greenpeace is currently touring Europe to remind governments to take steps to eliminate the release of hazardous substances into the environment as agreed to at the 1998 OSPAR conference.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Jan Turf, Greenpeace Belgium spokesperson, +32 477253232
- Wytze van der Naald, Greenpeace International Toxics campaign, +31621296916
- Andrew Davies, Greenpeace International press office, +31 20 5249545
- Elysabeth Loos, Greenpeace Belgium press office, +32 2 2740219

Please visit Greenpeace's "Down to Zero" website for further information.