New high-activity antifouling

The company says that the new coating was developed to meet the challenge of how to keep a ship’s underwater hull clean from discoloration and/or fouling pick-ups while stationary in seawater, and at the same time to minimise environmental impact without compromising operational efficiency.

PPG adds that with prolonged outfitting periods for new-build LNGCs, FPSOs, drill ships, offshore structures and even general commercial ships, there is increasing demand for vessels to look clean with good aesthetics. Customers need the appearance to be good at delivery stage and do not want to incur costs for cleaning the underwater hull before delivery.

Sigma Nexeon 750 is designed to address these issues, being a copper-free, high-activity antifouling based on self-polishing binder technology. Claimed features for the coating include protection of the underwater hull from fouling and discoloration, high

antifouling performance for static and low-activity vessels for new-build, consistent polishing at stationary service conditions, and keeping hulls clean through long outfitting periods in the newbuilding stage.

Nexeon 750 is recommended as a final antifouling coat, in combination with the existing Sigma antifouling product range, for virtually all ship types, particularly FPSOs, drill ships, and offshore support ships. The product has already been extensively tested by Korean shipbuilder DSME, which has expressed its satisfaction with Nexeon 750’s performance.