Green coating is available in other colours

In time, ship efficiency will be increased by innovations such as sail power and air lubrication but there is a technology available today that can benefit both shipowners and the environment, International Paint says

Conventional wisdom suggests that a number of factors have hindered a wholesale shift to new eco-efficient technologies, including the fact that shipping is still not regulated to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions when most land-based industries are. Moreover, analysts suggest that while innovation exists, there are not the incentives amid a recession to install eco-efficiency technologies.

“That may be true when it comes to some fascinating and innovative technologies being developed that require either a major retrofit or significant investment by the shipowner and shipyard at newbuild stage,” said John Willsher, Intersleek market manager, International Paint Ltd. “Yet there is one simple, eco-efficient technology that has already realised dramatic fuel savings and emissions reductions and has been applied on over 350 vessels in the commercial fleet. Fluoropolymer foul release technology is 25 per cent smoother than silicone hull coatings, has a 38 per cent lower co-efficient of friction, 40 per cent better foul-release properties and 80 per cent better static performance.”

Although it might be overstating the case to suggest that shipping was a benchmark for environmental innovation, if over 350 vessels had sails fitted or had bubbles flowing under their hulls the green credentials of the shipping industry might be much improved. According to International Paint, Fluoropolymer foul release technology could reduce global shipping CO₂ emissions by nearly 100 million tonnes and US$17 billion in bunker fuel costs every year if applied to the entire fleet.

“While we are ambitious at International Paint, we also understand the great constraints currently being put on vessel owners to trim budgets and rationalise costs,” said Mr Willsher. “Our experience of applying Fluoropolymer foul release technology, however, has shown us that shipowners never look back, with average payback periods on investment currently under 12 months. Moreover, a reduction of up to 9 per cent fuel and emissions savings may be conservative. Results on certain vessel types show considerably better results.”

Fluoropolymer foul release technology has been designed to prevent organisms adhering to ships with an amphiphilic surface, combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties to minimise the chemical and electrostatic adhesion between the surface and fouling organism. This ensures the efficiencies gained are maintained over extended in-service periods.

In addition to the environmental benefits the technology provides, there are also advantages during drydocking such as the treatment and disposal costs of wash water and blasting abrasives. Less paint is required, further reducing costs and minimising downtime. Fluoropolymer foul release technology also enables vessels currently operating at slow speeds to benefit from the environmental and cost efficiency benefits of foul release coatings.

“The technology has been adopted by some of the world’s leading shipowners, including use on vessels operating at speeds as low as 10 knots,” said Mr Willsher. “Our Intersleek 900 product is the only patented Fluoropolymer foul release technology currently on the market and its potential for reducing bunker fuel costs and emissions for all vessel types is considerable.” MP

see page 225 for details of Intersleek 900 application on newbuild projects