calling time on tin

P&O Ferries does not use tin based anti fouling

If we keep the hulls of our ships clean and free from encrustation by marine organisms, they cut through the water more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption.

Special anti-fouling paints for the bottom of ships achieve this, but they have traditionally contained tin. 

The downside is that we now know that tin is toxic to a wide range of marine organisms so P&O Ferries has been cleaning the hulls of its ships from old paint residues whilst they are in dry dock, and applying new non-polluting  alternatives.

The process is already largely complete and will be fully implemented ahead of new legislation restricting the use of tin based paints, which comes into force in 2008.