By
Alex Smith |
Two cruise ships have returned from 18-month stationary lay-ups free from biofouling following applications of Nippon Paint Marine’s Aquaterras antifouling system.
The coating was applied to the ships in early 2019 and 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic forced both ships to remain anchored for 18 months. In-water inspections following the lay-up found that both ships hulls were in conditions that exceeded expectations.
“Some cruise ships had so much fouling when they started operating again that they suffered vibration as well as significant drag and excess fuel-consumption,” said John Drew, director of Nippon Paint Marine in Europe. “However, despite extensive idling and static operation in warm and temperate waters, this coating kept the hulls of these ships extremely clean.”
The biocide-free, self-polishing coating was introduced to the market in November 2017.
“We anticipate it will become the benchmark eco-friendly antifouling, allowing shipowners to reduce underwater cleaning, save fuel, lower carbon emissions and mitigate the ecological damage from biofouling and species migration,” said Johan Wickens, managing director of Nippon Paint Marine in Europe. “The technology in this coating is way ahead of its time. It can give those early adopters the edge in a hugely competitive sector.”