Jotun to provide coatings for LNG-ready vessels

Jotun and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) have reached an agreement on the provision of advanced antifouling coatings for eleven newbuild container vessels.

The contract is part of UASC's ambitious US$ 2.3 billion newbuilding programme. The vessels are all LNG-ready, and have been classified as such by DNV GL.

The shipping and maritime industries rely on antifouling hull coatings to limit the growth of organisms on the hull that can affect the vessel's performance and durability. These advanced coatings deliver hydrodynamic performance gain, while cutting fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions. This agreement marks the first time Jotun and UASC have worked together on marine antifouling hull coatings.

LNG-ready

The new 14,500 TEU and 18,800 TEU vessels demonstrate cutting edge design and 'LNG ready' classification from DNV GL. Choosing Jotun’s antifouling solutions marks a further step on the path to optimum performance standards.

"Our aim is to set new industry benchmarks for fuel economy and environmental performance," explained Mohamed Zaitoun, UASC's Assistant Vice President New Building Technical Projects. "Antifouling products have a proven ability to keep hull surfaces smooth and clean under the water, which is critical to minimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions. We are focused on building a fleet of the most efficient container vessels in the market, and we believe Jotun's expertise can help us realise that vision."

HPS system

Of the eleven vessels to be coated with Jotun's premium antifouling range, eight are 14,500 TEU and three are 18,800 TEU capacity vessels. Eight of them will be treated with Jotun’s proprietary Hull Performance Solution (HPS) system, which combines top-of-the-line SeaQuantum X200 paint with advanced measurement technology. This solution will help UASC's vessels achieve up to a 15% hydrodynamic performance gain as well as fuel cost savings.

"UASC has evaluated the compelling nature of our advanced antifouling coatings in general, and the HPS system specifically, and is keen to trial it on eight of these flagship vessels," commented Morten Sten Johansen, Jotun's Sales Director HPS. "The combination of silyl methacrylate coating technology and a truly comprehensive measurement system, capturing high frequency performance data, delivers not just clean hulls and added efficiency – but also documented evidence of effectiveness. This helps owners clearly track fuel savings and hull performance, with the aim of providing a tangible return on investment."

Sustainable industry

"The market is showing a growing appreciation of the added value and benefits delivered by our antifouling coatings, and in particular HPS. Major industry players like UASC are leading a new wave of environmentally responsible ship-owners. They, like us, are focused on contributing to a more efficient and sustainable industry. Improving hull coatings is a fundamental part of that push," Johansen concluded.

UASC's new vessels are currently under construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, with delivery scheduled to commence from November 2014.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/18112014/jotun-coatings-on-lng-ready-vessels-1812/