Five year analysis shows effectiveness of Jotun HPS system

Coatings specialist Jotun reports that it has analyzed the first ever five year drydocking of a vessel treated with its Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) system.

The data indicated that Gearbulk's 55,700 dwt Penguin Arrow, coated with Jotun's SeaQuantum X200 in September 2010, recorded an estimated fuel saving and CO2 emissions reduction of $1.5 million and 12,055 tonnes respectively, over the 60-month period.

Jotun's proprietary HPS offer combines the application of an advanced antifouling coating, a specialized application procedure, a full suite of sensors that record hull performance and a high performance guarantee.

The coating limits the growth of organisms on the hull, while the sensors measure hull performance and the efficacy of Jotun's solution, providing a comprehensive insight into return on investment (ROI). Although it varies according to operational parameters, ROI is normally complete within one year of application, says Jotun.

Stein Kjolberg, Jotun's Global Sales Director HPS, says the HPS system findings from the 60 month analysis exceeded expectations.

"As the first vessel to be coated with SeaQuantum X200, we were excited to see data on how Penguin Arrow's hull performed over five years," he says. "The results were even better than we hoped for, and we now have clear evidence that SeaQuantum X200's silyl methacrylate coating technology delivers clean hulls, saving money for owners."

Mr. Kjolberg notes that in addition to saving on fuel costs, the solution helped cut corresponding emissions.

"Jotun has long argued that the right marine coatings represent one of the most cost-effective ways for owners to reduce emissions," he comments. "We expect these findings will attract significant attention not only from owners, but other industry stakeholders seeking a more sustainable industry."

Jotun met with Gearbulk regularly over the five-year period to monitor the system and had full access to the vessel's historical performance data, stretching back to January 2000, allowing for a full comparative analysis. As a result of using HPS, speed loss was restricted to just 0.5% over the measured period which enabled the customer to achieve excellent fuel efficiency. This compares to a market average speed loss estimated at 5.9%, and a historical speed loss of 6.4% for Penguin Arrow itself.

Penguin Arrow's five-year drydocking was completed in November last year. Despite undergoing less operational activity than expected and at lower speeds – conditions that would usually encourage fouling – the HPS system exceeded expectations. The initial visual inspection of the vessel's hull showed it to be completely fouling free aside from the usual areas of mechanical damage.

Mr. Kjolberg notes that Jotun's confidence in the system, backed by the HPS guarantee (which covers periods between dry dockings), was never in question.

"Since its launch in 2011, about 400 vessels have been coated with SeaQuantum X200, and the feedback has been very positive," he says. "But now that we have five years of data from Penguin Arrow, we can make a stronger case to other owners that the system works."

Jotun says the HPS results strengthen its position as an antifouling specialist dedicated to transparency. Since 2013, Geir Axel Oftedahl, Jotun's Business Development Director HPS has been working with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to establish a common industry standard for measuring changes in hull and propeller performance. Now at the stage of a Draft International Standard, ISO 19030 is expected to come into effect later this year, accelerating industry-wide best practices and providing transparency for buyers of fuel saving technologies and services, including coatings.

"We are committed to delivering measured performance that empowers ROI analysis," says Mr. Oftedahl. "Today's shipowners have an understandable focus on operational costs and staying in compliance with the industry's increasingly stringent environmental regulations. They have to know they can trust suppliers. With this data we can show exactly what we can do – delivering not just performance, but also savings, compliance and complete peace of mind."