Anti-fouling ban to go ahead

摘要

Panama has completed the task of ratification of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems for Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention). This will allow the Convention to enter into force on 17 September 2008. The International Maritime Organization explained that Panama's accession meant that the entry into force requirement of 25 states representing more than 25% of the world's merchant shipping tonnage has been met. Before Panama's accession, 24 states representing only 16.63% of the world's fleet had ratified the Convention since its adoption in 2001. Panama's accession ensures the 25-state requirement is met and brings the world tonnage figure up to 38.11%.