Nippon Paint Marine says that it nano-based antifouling Fastar I has been selected for three energy-efficient 1091 TEU container ships the Tsuneishi Group is building for China’s Jiangsu Ocean Shipping Co (JOSCO).
The first in the series, Hull No SS297, is nearing completion at the shipbuilder’s facility in Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, China, and was scheduled to join JOSCO in April 2022. The second and third vessels in the series will follow in August and September retrospectively. With an overall length of 146m and a 23.25m beam, each vessel in the series is based on Tsuneishi’s innovative low-resistance hull form and includes various energy-saving technologies.
Lian Jian Guo, GM Technical Division, JOSCO, said: “We have very good experience with Nippon Paint Marine systems on our vessels, so were keen to add to the overall energy efficiency of these next generation vessels with the new Fastar system. With the installation of advanced technologies designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions, these vessels will be the greenest in the JOSCO fleet.”
The technologies to which Lian Jian Guo refers include Tsuneishi’s ‘Top-GR’ and ‘MT-Fast’ systems, of which the former optimises the number, diameter, shape and geometric distribution of propeller blades to achieve greater propulsive efficiency. Further efficiency gains are achieved with MT-Fast, which adds a wing-like device to the front of the propeller to alter water flows.
“The application of these two technologies combined with Fastar is expected to contribute to significant fuel savings and help us meet environmental standards,” he said.
Gerald Mao, Senior Director, Nippon Paint Marine (Shanghai), said: “JOSCO’s experience with our LF-Sea and A-LF-Sea antifouling systems has delivered fuel savings of up to 8%, which can equate to a voyage free of fuel costs every twelfth trip or so. We anticipate Fastar will deliver further cost savings and environmental efficiencies.”
Introduced to the market in 2021, Nippon Paint Marine’s fourth generation antifouling uses hydrophilic and hydrophobic nano-sized silyl acrylate components to control the release of biocides. It is by precisely controlling the release of biocides that we have been able to deliver a high-performing, low-polishing antifouling system that not only delivers unprecedented commercial benefits but also helps shipowners and operators meet emissions abatement and energy efficiency targets. Liner operators like JOSCO are facing increased congestion at port with at least 30-day waiting times so need a coating that delivers consistent 60-month performance unaffected by seawater temperature and vessel speed. Fastar I has been designed to deliver optimum performance and save fuel after longer idling times, when conventional coatings experience increased biofouling.”
Tsuneishi group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding, one of Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding’s overseas shipyards, is building three similar 1091 TEU vessels for Taicang Container Lines, a subsidiary of China’s Jiangsu Port Group. These vessels, designed for the intra-regional trade, will also benefit from the Fastar coating.
Jun Ye, M & R Sales Director, Nippon Paint Marine (China), said: “For a containership with 80% activity, operating at 18 knots in seawater temperatures of 26°C, a Fastar scheme provides 60 months of service from a dry film thickness of 260µm on the vertical sides and a 160µm coat of on the flat bottom. A conventional antifouling covering the same 2000m2 area would require 1018 litres of paint versus 1330 litres. We are delighted that Tsuneishi Group’s next generation of energy efficient box ships are being specified with Fastar. It’s a win-win coating for owners and builders.”
