MOL adopts fuel-efficient low-friction hull paint

JAPAN's Mitsui OSK Lines has announced the first-time adoption of a low-friction ship bottom paint, named "LF-Sea," developed by Nippon Paint Marine Coatings Co Ltd that was applied to a new building Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC).

Sea trials using the new paint on car carrier Neptune Ace (built by Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co Ltd with a capacity to transport 6,400 units of standard passenger cars) confirmed that LF-Sea improved fuel efficiency.

"Vessel hull's friction drag is the greater part of resistance in the sea water. Reducing the 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 part of its environmental initiatives," said Kenta Arai, the technical division general manager in the ship design group.

LF-Sea uses a component called hydrogel, which is a naturally derived material. The hydrogel allows water to fill in small indentations on the hull to minimise friction drag.

"LF-Sea can realise about four per cent reduction in fuel consumption compared to an identical vessel using conventional bottom paint. Reducing the consumption of heavy fuel oil by four per cent ensures a decrease in CO2 emissions at the same rate," he said.

"MOL continues joint research and development on an ultra-high, fuel efficient ship bottom paint with the aim of further CO2 reduction with Nippon Paint Co Ltd and Nippon Paint Marine Coatings Co Ltd.

"The companies will strive to further improve LF-Sea paint with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by eight per cent to 12 per cent compared to conventional anti-fouling paints. MOL believes the performance assessment on the new building PCTC will serve as a benchmark for the development on an ultra-high efficient ship bottom paint.

"This R&D initiative is one of several subsidised through the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's 'Support for Technology Development from Marine Vessels for Curtailing CO2' project, the statement added.
(Source:www.schednet.com)