The antifouling system FASTAR® I developed by Nippon Paint Marine will be used to protect energy efficient vessels.
The Tsuneishi Group Shipbuilding has recently announced that it is using Nippon Paint Marine’s nano-based antifouling FASTAR I® to protect a trio of energy-efficient box ships that the company is building for Jiangsu Ocean Shipping Co (JOSCO).
Each of the three vessels has an overall length of 146 metres and a 23.25 metres beam and employs Tsuneishi’s low-resistance hull form and an array of energy-saving technologies: the TOP-GR system optimises number, diameter, shape and geometric distribution of propeller blades to achieve greater propulsive efficiency, while MT-FAST adds a wing-like device to the front of the propeller to alter water flows.
In addition, the company is planning to also use the antifouling FASTAR I, a solution developed by Nippon Paint Marine that contains completely new hydrophilic and hydrophobic nano-sized silyl acrylate components that will allow a more precise control of the release of biocides.
“We have very good experience with Nippon Paint Marine systems on our vessels, so were keen to add to the overall energy efficiency of these next generation vessels with the new FASTAR system. With the installation of advanced technologies designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions, these vessels will be the greenest in the JOSCO fleet. The application of these two technologies combined with FASTAR is expected to contribute to significant fuel savings and help us meet environmental standards,” stated Lian Jian Guo, the general manager of the Technical Division at JOSCO.
“JOSCO’s experience with our LF-Sea® and A-LF-Sea® antifouling systems has delivered fuel savings of up to 8%, which can equate to a voyage free of fuel costs every twelfth trip or so. We anticipate FASTAR will deliver further cost savings and environmental efficiencies. It is by precisely controlling the release of biocides that we have been able to deliver a high-performing, low-polishing antifouling system that not only delivers unprecedented commercial benefits but also helps shipowners and operators meet emissions abatement and energy efficiency targets,” added Gerald Mao, the Senior Director of Nippon Paint Marine. “Liner operators like JOSCO are facing increased congestion at port with at least 30-day waiting times so need a coating that delivers consistent 60-month performance unaffected by seawater temperature and vessel speed. FASTAR I has been designed to deliver optimum performance and save fuel after longer idling times, when conventional coatings experience increased biofouling.”
The antifouling FASTAR system has already been applied to a passenger ferry and a bulk carrier, and Tsuneishi will also employ it for three similar 1091TEU vessels designed for the intra-regional trade that the company is planning to construct for Taicang Container Lines Co., LTD.
“For a containership with 80% activity, operating at 18kts in seawater temperatures of 26°C, a FASTAR scheme provides 60 months of service from a dry film thickness of 260μm on the vertical sides and a 160μm coat of on the flat bottom. A conventional antifouling covering the same 2000m2 area would require 1018 litres of paint versus 1330 litres. We are delighted that Tsuneishi Group’s next generation of energy efficient box ships are being specified with FASTAR. It’s a win-win coating for owners and builders,” concluded Jun Ye, the M & R Sales Director for Nippon Paint Marine in China.