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Antwerp-headquartered Hydrex claims that it has developed a new propeller buffing technique that can help shipowners and operators to reduce fuel costs.

Propeller buffing is designed to keep a ship’s propeller ultra smooth. The company says that it will be showing the results of this technique at the upcoming SMM international maritime trade fair in Hamburg, Germany, from Tuesday September 9 to Friday September 12, 2014 at stand 440 in hall B7 at the Dutch pavilion.

"We would like to have an opportunity to discuss your needs and how we can help you with some of the important issues facing shipowners and operators today," the company said in a statement. "Hydrex and Ecospeed are working hard to help you reduce your fuel bills and improve profits. Our business is keeping you in business and helping you cut costs."

Ecospeed is Hydrex's underwater ship hull coating system which is designed to provide a vessel with long-term protection and improve the ship's performance. It consists of a system that combines a hard coating, a surface treatment for hydrodynamic optimization and a long-term underwater maintenance service system.

"The Ecospeed coating contains a high concentration of embedded glass platelets. It has a very low amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and is typically applied in two coats of 500 µm dft. The high film thickness and the presence of glass platelets which act as an impermeable barrier explain why Ecospeed has excellent anti-corrosive properties. It is extremely durable, making it perfectly suited to be subjected to regular in-water surface treatment," Hydrex said.

"Ecospeed and routine in-water cleaning results in a super smooth hull over the life of the vessel and is the best guarantee of the highest fuel savings possible. This is achieved with the Ecospeed hull coating and routine in-water conditioning and cleaning," the company added.

Propeller cone fins are said to be able to reduce fuel costs by an additional 5 percent. "Propeller cone fins are becoming increasingly popular. Immediate fuel savings can be achieved and Hydrex can install most brands on-site in the wet, so that ships do not have to wait until their next dry-docking to start saving fuel through increased propeller efficiency," Hydrex said.

Hydrex says its Ecospeed calculator will be available at the SMM booth to demonstrate the fuel and total ownership cost savings that are achievable with Ecospeed and routine in-water cleaning.