Applicable to all owners and operators trading to United States waters.
The AFS Convention was adopted by the IMO to prohibit the use of harmful organotins in the anti-fouling paints used on vessels and to establish a mechanism to prevent the potential future use of other harmful substances in anti-fouling systems.
Starting on 21 November 2012, foreign flagged vessels in the internal waters of the United States, in any port, shipyard, offshore terminal or other place in the United States, lightering in the territorial sea of the United States, or anchoring in the territorial sea of the United States, must comply with the applicable portions of the AFS Convention, as outlined in Policy Letter 12-08 from the United States Coast Guard (USCG).