Background Marine fouling is a generic term for algae and molluscs attaching to and developing on a ship or marine installation. The fouling increases friction between the ship and the seawater, resulting in increased fuel consumption, and thus increased emissions of SOx, NOx and CO2. To minimise this problem, ships have traditionally been painted with toxic hull paint - approximately 80 000 tonnes/yr of conventional antifouling paint is used worldwide. The hull paint presently used on most commercial vessels contains heavy metals. The paint works by continuous polishing of the surface and the release of a biocide. The result is a slow leakage of heavy metals into the seawater, poisoning the whole ecosystem. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) agreed a ban on tributyltin-based paints (conventionally used to protect against marine fouling) in 2001. Objectives The main objective of the LIFE project is to demonstrate the long term reduction of marine fouling using an environmentally-friendly hull paint, based on Ekomarine’s patented technique. The project will be performed in waters with varying salinity, temperature, depth, and other conditions. Specific objectives include: To demonstrate the long term effectiveness of Ekomarine’s hull paint on commercial ships, leisure boats and test panels; and To distribute the project results within Europe and to other regions. Expected results: The project is expected to lead to the following primary quantitative environmental results: A reduction in leakage of poisonous heavy metals and other toxins by 100% in vessels to which the new paint is applied; A yearly reduction of 50 000 tonnes of poisonous heavy metals (TBT/copper/zinc) leaking into the seabed; Protection against marine fouling over 12 months while still maintaining oxygen depletion below 20%.