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Tue 26 Jul 2011, 07:18 GMT

Car carriers cut fuel consumption with low-friction paint


New paint is said to improve fuel efficiency by 3-5 percent compared to a conventional hull coating.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has announced the adoption of a new low-friction paint named Seaflo Neo, which has been developed by Chugoku Marine Paint, Ltd..

After analyzing the results of an onboard test with a newbuilding vessel, the company confirmed that the new paint offers improvements in fuel efficiency compared to conventional paints that will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions from vessels.

Friction between the hull and the water accounts for the majority of resistance as a vessel moves through the water. Reducing friction drag has been shown to be an effective way of improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions during vessel operation. MOL says it is taking a proactive stance in developing and adopting a low-friction paint as one of its environmental initiatives.

The newbuilds using the new paint are:

Car carrier Eternal Ace (capacity: 6,400 units of standard passenger cars) built by Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and completed on July 25, 2011

Car carrier Brilliant Ace [pictured] (capacity: 6,400 units of standard passenger cars) built by Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and completed on March 30, 2011

Seaflo Neo - Characteristics

The main characteristic of the new paint, developed by Chugoku Marine Paint is the high smoothness of its paint film surface, the result of a newly developed low-viscosity hydrolyzed polymer.

The ultra-smooth finish minimizes friction drag between the hull and the water and is said to improve fuel efficiency by 3-5 percent compared to an identical vessel with a conventional hull coating. Called Seaflo Neo, the new environmentally-friendly paint is also low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a major source of air pollution.

As one of the environmental strategies in the midterm management plan GEAR UP!, the company is promoting its next-generation vessel concept Sempaku ISHIN. The adoption of the new paint is part of the concept.

"MOL moves aggressively to adopt various technologies that will contribute to reducing the environmental burden of its business activities," the company said.

Image: Car carrier Brilliant Ace

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