Antifouling for varied trades

PPG Protective and Marine Coatings has introduced an ‘entry-level’ version of its silyl acrylate polymer antifouling technology, designed for ships trading at medium to high rates of operation and medium speeds.

The Dutch company’s latest products, known as Sigma Syladvance, is claimed to make premium technology available for a different set of requirements at lower cost. The patented silyl acrylate polymer technology offers self-smoothing properties, while the maker claims “outstanding fouling protection”. The binder used has been chosen for consistent antifouling performance and a linear polishing pattern which can reduce frictional drag.

Sijmen Visser, PPG global marketing manager marine said: “Antifouling coatings have evolved over the past decade, in some part due to technological advances, but also because of the very real need for vessel operators to reduce fuel costs whilst continuing to optimise voyage efficiency. PPG has been working hard to develop hardwearing, environmentally-sound products that can offer fuel savings.

The product is suitable for dry dock maintenance and repair projects, and controlled performance life of up to 60 months is predicted.

The established Sigma Syladvance 800, on which the new product is based, has been available for over 10 years and has been used on a variety of vessel types for newbuilding and repair. One user, Greek operator Chandris, specified Sigma Syladvance 800 for an upgrade to its 2007-built VLCC

Ellinis

, which trades worldwide on a demanding schedule, so needed to maintain optimal hull condition and high operational efficiency. The company says that the coating, in addition to keeping the ship’s hull free from fouling, contributed positively to the hydrodynamics of the ship’s hull by reducing hull frictional drag and the total amount of fuel consumed.