Landmark order for fuel-saving hull paint system

Under the terms of the agreement, Jotun will supply its hull performance system, including SeaQuantum X200 antifouling paint and a high performance guarantee, to a number of vessels scheduled for drydock in 2012 and 2013. The first vessel to be upgraded will be the 10 000 TEU Cosco Europe scheduled for dry docking in September 2012.

According to COSCO Container’s deputy managing director, Hou Liping, the agreement is consistent with the company’s commitment to sustainable development, part of which involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “After extensive review we have concluded that hull performance can play a very significant role in further reducing our fuel cost and greenhouse gas emissions,” he says. “Jotun’s hull performance solutions combines a high performance antifouling paint with a credible method for measuring delivered performance and a cash-back performance guarantee. This has enabled us to embark on an ambitious investment programme aimed at improving hull performance across our fleet.”

According to Jotun Cosco Marine Coatings’ president and general manager, Dong Zhaoming, the agreement with COSCO Container represents an important milestone in Jotun’s efforts to bring its system to the global market.

“As a market leader and the first Chinese enterprise to sign the United Nations’ global compact initiative, the industry looks towards COSCO on a broad range of issues,” he says. “We are very pleased to be working with an owner who both recognizes the importance of hull performance and who is willing to work together with us at the very cutting edge of our industry.”