Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced the adoption of a new low-friction ship-bottom paint "Seaflo Neo" developed by Chugoku Marine Paint Ltd. After analysing the results of an onboard test with a newbuilding vessel, the company confirmed that the new paint offers improvements in fuel efficiency compared to conventional paints. This will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions from vessels, Exim News Service reports.
Friction between the hull and the water accounts for the majority of resistance as a vessel moves through the water. Reducing friction drag is a very effective way to reduce CO2 emissions during vessel operation. MOL has taken a proactive stance in developing and adopting a low-friction ship-bottom paint as one of its environmental initiatives.
Newbuilding vessels adopting the new paint are the car carriers Eternal Ace (capacity: 6,400 units of standard passenger cars) and Brilliant Ace (capacity: 6,400 units of standard passenger cars), both completed earlier this year.
The main characteristic of the new paint is the high smoothness of the paint film surface, the result of a newly developed low-viscosity hydrolysed polymer. The ultra-smooth finish minimises friction drag between the hull and the water, improving fuel efficiency by 3-5 per cent compared to an identical vessel with a conventional hull coating. The environment-friendly paint is also low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a major source of air pollution. |
