AkzoNobel tool to calculate coating ROI

The new tool, launched in London this morning by AkzoNobel brand International, aims to enhance the accuracy and transparency of data provided to ship owners. The company has worked with experts including the University College of London (UCL) Energy Institute, the Marine Research Institute of Netherlands (MARIN) and Newcastle University – as well as more than 30 ship owners – to develop the tool, which is based on the hull performance measurement standards laid out in the draft ISO 19030 standard.

Intertrac Vision employs algorithms that calculate impact of several variables on total hull roughness as well as the roughness associated with biofouling. Computational fluid dynamics studies of several hull types – and a combination of AIS data and International’s own database on hull fouling cases – are used to make predictions on the impact of fouling control coatings on the comparative powering requirements of a vessel.

Key outputs from Intertrac Vision include: ships powering requirement, fuel oil consumption, fuel oil cost, CO2 emission predictions and a full cost benefit analysis when comparing different coatings and surface preparation options.

The service is available free of charge to ship owners and operators. Access is via specially trained company consultants and is delivered on iPad’s wherever customers require.

Michael Hindmarsh, project lead for Intertrac Vision said: “Having an accurate understanding of the return on investment prior to purchasing is a key part of the decision making process. Through Intertrac Vision we can bring a new level of transparency and choice to the industry, working with customers consultatively to ensure that the most effective and appropriate coatings solution is selected for each vessel within a fleet.”

Tristan Smith, lecturer at the UCL Energy Institute and contributor to Intertrac Vision, said: “While all technology providers, including those producing hull coatings, have long since offered insight into the fuel and CO2 saving potential of their solutions, ship owners have maintained a degree of scepticism around performance prediction.

“The lack of accurate and transparent supporting data underpinning statistics quoted has contributed to this mindset. As one of several academic contributors to Intertrac Vision, we aim to support this initiative by bringing the industry a step closer to a new era of robust, rigorous analysis that can help improve the rationality in hull coating selection.”

The new tool builds on International’s existing Intertrac database, which analysed the impact of trading routes and operational profiles on coating performance. The company noted that the product relies on a growing dataset taken from real-life experience, and called on vessel owners and operators to collaborate in the project to further refine the predictive capabilities of Intertrac Vision.

Speaking at the launch this morning, Oscar Wezenbeek, managing director of marine coatings at AkzoNobel, highlighted the many innovations that the company has brought to the market. He noted that Intertrac Vision would be invaluable in “getting customers to trust the benefits that these innovations can deliver.”

“Intertrac Vision gives true insight into real future performance, not just theoretical projections,” said Wezenbeek.

The Motorship will bring more on this story in our December issue.