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Cyprus-based ship management company, Lemissoler Navigation, via its affiliated and managed company Frontmarine Co. Ltd, says it has achieved "significant" fuel savings from coating its newbuild 58,500-deadweight-tonne (dwt) supramax bulk carriers with Hempel's Dynamic antifouling product.

As part of an environmental efficiency drive, Lemissoler has adopted a unique hull design for the new vessels, fitted them with fuel-efficient propellers and coated the undersides with Hempel's Dynamic antifouling.

According to the design specification, fuel consumption was calculated at 24.7 tonnes per day at 14.2 knots in ballast condition. Thanks to the recent eco changes, these vessels in sea trials are said to be achieving a fuel consumption of 23 tonnes.

Lemissoler Navigation has coated four of the eight newbuilds with Dynamic and, based on its performance, is planning to coat the remaining four vessels with the same product.

Hempel's Group Product Manager, Andreas Glud, explained: "Dynamic is a low-friction, hydrolysing silyl acrylate, which gives our customers an outstanding antifouling service and delivers average fuel savings of up to 4 percent. Our patented microfiber technology, which is integral to this paint, gives it an exceptional mechanical strength that reduces cracking and peeling. Based on the fuel savings demonstrated in these trials, our Dynamic antifouling is a contributing factor to an overall fuel saving of 7 percent for the new Frontmarine vessels."

Lemissoler Group's Technical Manager, Dimitris Solomonides, remarked: "We are delighted with the results of the recent sea trials of the first four new vessels. Lessening the environmental impact of our activities and improving fuel efficiency is one of our top priorities and we believe that the innovative design of the newbuilds, the fuel efficient propeller and Hempel's Dynamic antifouling have proved to be a winning combination in delivering these efficiencies."