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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that its joint research and development (R&D) project on antifouling paints for ship bottoms will be incorporated into a government-industry initiative aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency.

The program will be sponsored by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

MOL, Nippon Paint Co., Ltd., and Nippon Paint Marine Coatings Co., Ltd. are jointly promoting R&D on high-performance antifouling paints that improve vessels' fuel efficiency. It is said to be a key element of MOL's CO2 reduction technology R&D initiative.

Details of the R&D projects are as follows:

* Ships consume most of their fuel in overcoming the resistance when sailing. Reducing this resistance contributes directly to lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. The drag of seawater over the vessel's wetted surface accounts for 50% to 80% of all resistance, including wind and wave resistance.

* The R&D project aims to develop a 'super-slick' antifouling paint for ship bottoms that will dramatically reduce fuel consumption.

With the addition of a high-performance low-ablation additive, the aim will be for the paint to significantly reduce drag. MOL will verify the paint's effectiveness in CO2 reduction by applying it to its operated vessels and carefully analyzing its performance during voyages.

* The paint used in the R&D project is expected to lower CO2 emissions by 8% to 12% compared to conventional antifouling paints.

"This R&D project is a step toward realization of MOL's vision for the vessels of the future, announced as "ISHIN-I (car carrier)" in September 2009 and "ISHIN-II (ferry)" in December 2009. MOL continues to work aggressively on R&D to reduce the environmental burden of its vessel operations," MOL said in a statement.