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On February 17th, 2011, International Paint held a presentation and Q&A session in London featuring the results of a study by Professor James Corbett of Energy and Environmental Research Associates and the University of Delaware, covering emission reducion and cost savings associated with fluoropolymer foul release technology.

The report claims that fluoropolymer foul release technology, when applied to tanker, bulk cargo and other vessel types can cut fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 9 percent.

The study, which has been welcomed by leading environmentalist Jonathon Porritt and Julian Brazier, chairman of the All Party Maritime and Ports Group, is said to highlight the savings achieved using fluoropolymer non stick technology, which has excellent resistance to marine fouling.

Over 400 vessels in the commercial fleet currently use fluoropolymer foul release technology for marine applications, patented by International Paint, making it one of the most widely used eco-efficiency technologies in the shipping market.

The report, on products manufactured by International Paint, the world's largest marine coatings supplier and part of AkzoNobel, analysed the latest fuel consumption data of vessel types when coated with fluoropolymer foul release technology; Prem Divya, a single engine 21,126 horsepower (HP) tanker, Ikuna, a twin engine 3,400 HP bulker and five identical post panamax container vessels, three of which were coated with TBT free polishing antifoulings and two with fluoropolymer foul release technology.

The results showed that fuel consumption (and therefore the vessel's emissions) was reduced by 10 percent on the Prem Divya, 22 percent on the Ikuna and by 5 percent on the container vessels (based on all five ships carrying a comparable load).

The report states that if similar fuel efficiency results were realised by all tanker and bulk cargo vessels within the commercial fleet: “annual fuel oil consumption could be reduced by roughly 16 million metric tons (MMT) per year, fuel expenditures could be reduced by $4.4 to $8.8 billion per year, and nearly 49 million MMT of CO2 emissions could be avoided annually."

Significantly, the report showed that reductions in CO2 are achieved at a negative cost, whereby the avoided emissions are coupled with economic benefits to the ship owner. For example, the Prem Divya delivered a total annual fuel cost saving of $251,000 based on a 2009 average bunker price of $387 per tonne. While fluoropolymer foul release technology would cost $645,000 more over a nine year period than a biocidal alternative, if this figure is deducted from 2009 bunker costs and projected over the same time period, the owners of Prem Divya would save $1.614 million.

If current (February 2011) bunker prices of $640 / tonne were used for the calculation, the annual savings would be $415,000 and the projected net savings over 9 years would be $3.09 million.

Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of the Forum for the Future and the Sustainable Shipping Initiative said: "This independent report shows how an existing technology enables ship owners to make significant cuts in their carbon footprint right now. There are many promising innovations and technological developments which can hasten the pace to a sustainable shipping industry, and companies should be paying more attention to their benefits."

Julian Brazier chairman of the All Party Maritime and Ports Group, commented: "The shipping industry is under significant pressure to demonstrate environmental leadership and innovation. This latest research suggests that viable solutions do exist. It also demonstrates the depth of innovation within UK manufacturing and the commitment and investment that is being made in developing groundbreaking technologies that can help to meet one of the biggest challenges that we face today."

Ian Walker, Market Director, International Paint, commented: "It is the simple and proven technologies that will make the biggest impact in reducing GHG emissions from ships; solutions that are easy to implement, do not require huge operational or maintenance costs and can have a significant and quick return on investment. The evidence speaks for itself with over 400 vessels and more already using fluoropolymer foul release technology."