Image: PPG

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PPG, a provider of protective and marine coatings, and DNV GL, the quality assurance and risk management firm, have signed a collaboration agreement focused on operational data analysis using DNV GL's next-generation hull analysis methodologies.

To tackle the challenge of poor hull and propeller performance, PPG and DNV GL have agreed to work together to collect data and apply DNV GL's methodologies in a move designed to help PPG's further development of coating solutions.

According to data published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), approximately one tenth of the world fleet's fuel consumption can be attributed to poor hull and propeller performance. This is estimated to cost owners around $30 billion in additional fuel costs per year and contribute to 0.3 percent of all man-made carbon emissions.

Released in 2017, the ISO 19030 standard defines a set of performance indicators for hull and propeller maintenance, repair and retrofit activities to improve operational performance.

"DNV GL and PPG have identified a market demand for methodologies that go beyond ISO 19030 and share a common vision to develop future requirements and solutions that enable optimum vessel performance," commented Tom Molenda, PPG's Global Marine Director. "Our goal is to enhance hull efficiency for multiple operational profiles and optimize vessel performance."

DNV GL Senior Research Engineer Jason Stefanatos explained that as more owners invest in more sophisticated sensors, tools and systems to collect operational data, performance can be measured more precisely over time.

"By applying DNV GL's expertise in hull degradation and operational data analysis tools, PPG will be better able to transparently demonstrate the impact of their coating solutions," Stefanatos said, noting that the methodologies and data analytics tools are also available on DNV GL's Fleet Performance Management Platform ECO Insight.

"The ECO Insight platform provides information on the performance of voyage, vessel, hull, engine, fuel, weather, cargoes, among other variables. And because we have access to real-time vessel performance data from more than 1,900 vessels, we are confident that our collaboration with PPG can be used by owners and operators to optimize hull performance," Stefanatos added.