Nippon Paint Marine has made significant strides in the marine coatings sector with the successful application of GAN Aquaterras, their biocide-free foul release solution, to the container vessel M/V Wan Hai 613 at the Zhou Shan Chang Hong Shipyard in China.
The AQUATERRAS coating, released back in 2021, has been touted as revolutionary for its environmentally friendly attributes. Unlike many traditional antifouling coatings, AQUATERRAS does not contain biocides, which means it won't leach harmful chemicals harmful to marine ecosystems. Instead, it utilizes low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) technology to provide sustainable hull protection from fouling.
This coating not only helps preserve marine biodiversity but also leads to substantial fuel savings. Nippon Paint claims users can experience up to 14.7% fuel savings over five years compared to conventional solutions, all thanks to the coating's ability to maintain vessel speeds. This means less energy is required to operate ships coated with AQUATERRAS, which directly lowers carbon emissions.
Kazuaki Masuda, who leads the technology division at Nippon Paint Marine, celebrated this milestone, stating, “The first application of AQUATERRAS in China is significant for our product development.” He emphasized the coating’s dual aim of safeguarding aquatic environments and adhering to industry antifouling standards.
Wan Hai Lines, the ship operator, has relied on Nippon Paint Marine’s solutions since 2016, citing the successful performance of past coatings. The company noted how the previous product, known as FASTAR, has also contributed significantly to their fuel savings. The recent introduction of AQUATERRAS builds upon this successful partnership and innovation.
Looking more broadly, the global hull coatings market may be entering new phases of growth. Recent projections suggest it could reach approximately $12.3 billion by 2031. The steady rise is attributed to the growing demand for efficient marine coatings and innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts.
Continuous research and development are fostering advancements not only in the coatings themselves but also how they’re applied and maintained. These advancements aim to fulfill the increasing regulatory requirements for sustainable shipping practices.
According to market reports, there’s been notable vintage among leading manufacturers to innovate and offer products catering to stringent environmental standards. The shift toward eco-friendliness isn’t just favored by regulators; it’s also becoming greener for operations. With initiatives like Nippon Paint’s AQUATERRAS, operators can have confidence as they lower their environmental footprint without sacrificing performance.
The results from Nippon Paint’s recent application of AQUATERRAS demonstrate much more than just successful implementation; they represent a growing industry trend toward sustainable practices and technologies. This adoption signifies a landmark shift to responsibly managing marine resources, sparking optimism for future innovations.
