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As part of its objective to optimise fuel consumption, Vroon Offshore Services Pte. Ltd. (VOS) has chosen Micanti to supply antifouling film for its anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel VOS Triton.

In a statement, VOS Singapore Managing Director, Filip Olde Bijvank, said: "At group level, we have decided to start using Micanti Antifouling in the most severe conditions - offshore vessels operational in tropical water, but encountering long idle times. Although Micanti is new to the market, the proof they have demonstrated about their product in these circumstances makes us confident that this is the right way to go."

Micanti has recently increased its focus on the Asian market, introducing its antifouling film to Singapore - the world's leading bunker port.

The film is said to prevent marine growth in a physical manner and is not dependent on vessel movement. Optimum performance is also said to be guaranteed during a period of extended vessel inactivity.

Fuel savings

Being selected as a Vroon supplier will give Micanti the opportunity to assess the actual fuel savings for offshore vessels, as Vroon closely monitors fuel consumption.

"As the prices of oil are low and many offshore projects are put on hold, vessel maintenance is often decreased to a minimum," Micanti's managing director, Rik Breur, explained. "Luckily, companies like Vroon still keep the right level of maintenance to make sure the operational availability for clients is guaranteed. These companies need to have an antifouling that works in all conditions. We have shown in Europe and the Middle East that we are able to fulfil this need and, as such, the current market where long idle times are common gives us a competitive advantage over regular antifouling paints. We are confident that we will provide Vroon the operational benefits and low fuel consumption they are looking for."

Reducing chemical waste

On the issue of chemical waste, Breur remarked: "When painting a vessel, half the paint evaporates as greenhouse gas. Moreover, painters need to wear additional personal protection equipment during application. Micanti Antifouling is as simple as applying a sticker and no solvents are evaporated. After use the material can be discarded as regular household waste. This in contrast to traditional paint, which is chemical waste and both difficult and expensive to dispose of."

These benefits, Vroon stresses, make the product suitable for the Singapore market, where disposal of chemical waste is a time-consuming and expensive process for local shipyards.

"Micanti Antifouling is recognised for its good performance, even when vessels are moored or sailing at low speed. The fact that the product is 100 percent environmentally friendly is an additional incentive for Vroon Offshore Services (VOS)," Vroon added.