Jotun’s Imperial Fouling Protection system cuts a superyacht’s 30-year carbon footprint by 50% compared to conventional coatings. By using advanced silyl acrylate self-polishing technology tailored to yacht sailing patterns, the coating minimises marine growth, cuts hydrodynamic drag, and slashes annual fuel bills by over 50%.
Jotun has unveiled new analysis demonstrating that its Imperial Fouling Protection System can deliver an approximately 50% lower carbon footprint over a 30-year service life compared to conventional antifouling coating systems, highlighting the critical role of advanced hull protection in superyacht operations.
Hull fouling remains a major yet frequently overlooked factor in vessel efficiency. The accumulation of marine organisms on a ship's underwater hull increases hydrodynamic drag, which drives up fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and operational costs. In severe cases, a fouled hull can increase a yacht’s annual fuel bill by more than 50%.
Engineered specifically for the unique operating profiles of superyachts, the Imperial system uses advanced silyl acrylate self-polishing technology to maintain a clean hull over extended periods. This performance holds even when vessels spend considerable time at anchor or travel at low speeds. The system allows coating specifications to be customised to a vessel's specific sailing patterns, voyage factors, and operating environments.
The significant reduction in carbon emissions is driven by fewer maintenance cycles, lower overall paint consumption, and decreased waste generation over the vessel’s operational lifecycle. Developed in collaboration with leading paint manufacturers and the Water Revolution Foundation, the Imperial specification requires roughly half the paint volume of a standard "business-as-usual" application while preserving long-term hull performance.
“This is ultimately about giving owners strong performance while reducing environmental footprint where possible,” has stated Tracey Warner, Regional Category Manager Yachting, Europe and Central Asia, Jotun Performance Coatings.
In addition to reducing fuel burn and emissions, effective fouling protection plays a key role in marine biosecurity. By curbing the transport of invasive aquatic species across international waters, the system also minimizes the frequency of underwater cleaning operations.
“A robust lifecycle assessment considers the full range of impacts, from material production and maintenance cycles to waste generation and operational efficiency. Transparent lifecycle data enables the industry to make more informed sustainability decisions,” has added Leah Werner, Executive Director of the Water Revolution Foundation.