“Hull Performance and its Relationship to Fuel
Consumption and CO2 Index of Marine Vessels,” was presented by Daniel Kane of Propulsiondynamics. Kane spoke
about how shipowners can save on fuel by coatings selection.
“CASPER (Computerized Analysis of Ship Performance)
software can be used to analyze data.”
Vessel performance data recorded at periodic intervals
while sailing is forwarded to its offices for special naval
architectural analysis, resulting in precise calculations of
speed, fuel consumption and resistance. This provides owners and shop operators a way to establish economically-opti-mum intervals for hull and / or propeller cleanings for each
vessel based on evidence from ocean going service. The
results of this provide accurate metrics for comparing true
fuel costs of combined hull treatment and coating systems.
“All this data comes from instruments on the ship and provides an empirical study on vessel performance data,” Kane
said. Kane offered a comparison of before and after hull
cleaning and the cost saving associated with it. “We are looking at ways to optimize fuel using hull cleaning. Added
resistance is one of several technologies being utilized for
emission reduction.”
“Innovative Laser Cleaning Technology for Ship Surface
Treatment, Cleaning and Paint Removal Applications,” presented by Tim Niemeier, Adapt Laser Systems, provided information on the latest laser ablation process. According to
Niemeier, there are a wide range of systems available. In the
past there were a number of problems associated with them.
“There are now portable high powered units available. Today’s
lasers provide versatile fiber optic beam delivery. Laser surface preparation is an alternative tool for a number of applications including solvent cleaning, ablative blast and hand
sanding. Marine applications for this laser technology include
corrosion control at or near sensitive instruments or control,
spot repairs and touch ups and flash rust removal.
“Laser surface preparation systems are a new tool for
today’s ship preservation challenges,” he concluded.
One of the topics on everyone’s mind was upcoming
International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.
“Update on IMO Performance Standards for Protective
Coatings (PSPC),” presented by Jim Sell, NPCA coun-sel/secretary to IPPIC, PSPC work group provided an
overview of upcoming regulations.
“International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC)
Second Global Marine Coatings Forum Report Held in
Singapore,” presented by John Hopewell, IPPIC Secretariat
and manager of environmental affairs at NPCA provided an
overview of the forum and the role IPPIC will play in future
IMO issues.
“It was a highly successful event,” said Hopewell. “The role of
IPPIC is that it serves as a forum for open dialog and exchange
between participating organizations on issues of common
interest. We now have a seat at the IMO. Our primary focus at
the Global Marine Coatings Forum is how IPPIC can most
effectively represent the industry at the IMO.”
Being able to participate in the IMO gives IPPIC a
number of advantages. “We now have the right to receive
provision agendas of meetings and the right to prepare
written statements,” said Hopewell. “IPPIC will now be
able to have an impact on IMO by being able to brief
members before and after key IMO meetings of interest
and represent the views of members of IPPC and make
interventions when necessary.
Hopewell went on to describe what future issues the IMO
will be addressing. “Currently key issues of IPPIC and the
future of IMO are invasive species and antifouling coatings
performance standards. Future issues include VOCs, greenhouse gases and legal liability issues.”
“Developing a Cost Effective Coating Approach for Royal
Navy New Warship Build Program,” presented by Raouf
Kattan of Safinah Consultants. Kattan talked about the
Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC)
and its goals. “One of the aims of the PSPC is to provide a
15 year life for ballast and tank coatings over which it is
defined as being in ‘good’ condition,” Kattan said. “Good
condition is defined by regulations and consists of minor
rust spotting. It is expected that the first newbuilding classified under the new rules will being building in the second half of 2008. The paint specification is at the hear of
the PSPC and covers primary and secondary surface
preparation standards, steel profile range, soluble salt limits and thickness and number of coats.”
Other presentations included “The Marine Perspective–An
Update from the National Marine Manufacturers Association
and “Liabilities Involving Marine Coatings Comprehensive
Overview of the Legal Landscape and Future
Trends–Product Liability, Contractual, Regulatory and
Insurance Issues” presented by Jeffrey Marguiles, partner,
Fulbright and Jaworski.
EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSIONS
This year there were two panel discussion. Mark Ingle
moderated “Biocide Antifouling Coatings: Current Issues
and the Foreseeable Future Panel Discussion.” The panel
consisted of representatives from Chugoku Marine Paints,
Jotun, Hempel, PPG, Rohm and Haas, Arch Chemical,
International Paint, American Chemet, Carboline and
Janssen PMP.
Robert Martin, global business director at Arch Chemical
spoke about the profound effects of regulations such as
BPD, REACH and EPA. “We are going to need to improve
self-polishing systems, tougher non-stick coatings, lower
service life of the coatings controlled delivery of biocides.
We have to learn how to deliver our biocides more effectively,” he said. “Biocides will continue to be a factor, but
new biocides will be few. Instead hybrid non-stick antifouling biocide systems will be developed.”
“Comprehensive Overview of Marine Coatings Global
Environmental and Safety Issues,” featured experts from the
EPA and NAFTA, EU/IMO and Asia. Topics from this global
panel of experts included clear air, VOCs and HAPs, biocide
registration and limitations, hazardous waste, chemical use
restrictions, IMO/EU TBT Ban Implementation, and worker
health and safety. CW
