07.09.21
I-Tech, a Swedish biotechnology company, announced that the M/T Calypso has demonstrated zero barnacle growth after a 63-month operation due to Selektope, its proprietary antifouling technology.
In November 2015, the vertical sides and bottom of the hull of Team Tankers-operated tanker, M/T Calypso, were painted with a five-year Selektope-containing, copper-free antifouling product. The period tested the efficacy of the first 60-month paint system containing the active antifouling agent, and saw the vessel operate through heavily impacted fouling areas known as “hotspots” across global routes, formally completing its operations earlier this year.
During this period, M/T Calypso displayed an average weighted speed loss of only -0.5%. Analysis of the M/T Calypso’s performance was carried out using Molflow’s AI-ship modeling tool “Slipstream”, training multiple Neural Network models to describe the vessel’s behavior at certain points in time and comparing their predictions for calm atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
A reference for industry averages can be found in separate data collected by coating manufacturer Jotun which shows that, over a service period of 5 years, the average speed loss as a result of reduced hull optimzation created by fouling, for all vessel types and trades, and regardless of what anti-fouling is used, is about six percent.
In addition to sailing in hotspot areas, M/T Calypso spent long periods at anchor where there is increased risk of hard marine fouling by barnacles, whose larvae can only attach to the hull when the vessel is at anchor or moving at slow speeds of up to 6 knots. Regular underwater hull inspections during operation reported almost a complete absence of hard fouling in any of the vertical sides or flat bottom of the hull, and the ship’s hull was not cleaned at any time during the coating’s service life.
M/T Calypso laid at anchor for one month while waiting for dry dock, exposing the hull to a very high fouling risk. When the ship was taken to dry dock and inspected in February 2021, after 63 months of operation, the hull’s paint showed a normal amount of wear but no growth of barnacles.
“Despite the fact that Team Calypso has been active in the harshest conditions for marine fouling for the past 63 months, data on the ship’s sustained performance show that the Selektope-containing antifouling paint has helped maintain the ship’s efficiency. The owner of this tanker will benefit from the fuel savings that can be associated with the power of Selektope’s ability to protect the hull from barnacles,” I-Tech AB CEO Philip Chaabane said. “Data analysis and inspections of the hull provide strong evidence that proves Selektope’s high-performance protection against hard marine fouling, regardless of the ship’s activity or movement patterns.”
Studies show that a vessel with just 10% barnacle coverage requires an increase in shaft power of 36% in order to maintain the same speed through the water compared to a vessel free of hard fouling, resulting in significantly higher fuel costs and emissions. Tackling biofouling is an increasing priority for vessel owners. As climate breakdown raises global sea temperatures, biofouling hotspots are growing, while congestion at ports around the world means vessels are spending longer waiting at anchor; all while regulatory pressure to reduce emissions is growing.
“After operating predominantly in tropical and sub-tropical regions, the fact that that the average weighted speed loss is significantly lower than for other vessels in our fleet, is hugely impressive – and will have a tangible impact on fuel costs and emissions,” said Capt. Pär Brandholm, senior performance and technical manager at Team Tankers International.
[1] https://vpoglobal.com/2020/02/19/proactive-measures-needed-to-improve-hull-performance-says-jotun-marine-manager/
In November 2015, the vertical sides and bottom of the hull of Team Tankers-operated tanker, M/T Calypso, were painted with a five-year Selektope-containing, copper-free antifouling product. The period tested the efficacy of the first 60-month paint system containing the active antifouling agent, and saw the vessel operate through heavily impacted fouling areas known as “hotspots” across global routes, formally completing its operations earlier this year.
During this period, M/T Calypso displayed an average weighted speed loss of only -0.5%. Analysis of the M/T Calypso’s performance was carried out using Molflow’s AI-ship modeling tool “Slipstream”, training multiple Neural Network models to describe the vessel’s behavior at certain points in time and comparing their predictions for calm atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
A reference for industry averages can be found in separate data collected by coating manufacturer Jotun which shows that, over a service period of 5 years, the average speed loss as a result of reduced hull optimzation created by fouling, for all vessel types and trades, and regardless of what anti-fouling is used, is about six percent.
In addition to sailing in hotspot areas, M/T Calypso spent long periods at anchor where there is increased risk of hard marine fouling by barnacles, whose larvae can only attach to the hull when the vessel is at anchor or moving at slow speeds of up to 6 knots. Regular underwater hull inspections during operation reported almost a complete absence of hard fouling in any of the vertical sides or flat bottom of the hull, and the ship’s hull was not cleaned at any time during the coating’s service life.
M/T Calypso laid at anchor for one month while waiting for dry dock, exposing the hull to a very high fouling risk. When the ship was taken to dry dock and inspected in February 2021, after 63 months of operation, the hull’s paint showed a normal amount of wear but no growth of barnacles.
“Despite the fact that Team Calypso has been active in the harshest conditions for marine fouling for the past 63 months, data on the ship’s sustained performance show that the Selektope-containing antifouling paint has helped maintain the ship’s efficiency. The owner of this tanker will benefit from the fuel savings that can be associated with the power of Selektope’s ability to protect the hull from barnacles,” I-Tech AB CEO Philip Chaabane said. “Data analysis and inspections of the hull provide strong evidence that proves Selektope’s high-performance protection against hard marine fouling, regardless of the ship’s activity or movement patterns.”
Studies show that a vessel with just 10% barnacle coverage requires an increase in shaft power of 36% in order to maintain the same speed through the water compared to a vessel free of hard fouling, resulting in significantly higher fuel costs and emissions. Tackling biofouling is an increasing priority for vessel owners. As climate breakdown raises global sea temperatures, biofouling hotspots are growing, while congestion at ports around the world means vessels are spending longer waiting at anchor; all while regulatory pressure to reduce emissions is growing.
“After operating predominantly in tropical and sub-tropical regions, the fact that that the average weighted speed loss is significantly lower than for other vessels in our fleet, is hugely impressive – and will have a tangible impact on fuel costs and emissions,” said Capt. Pär Brandholm, senior performance and technical manager at Team Tankers International.
[1] https://vpoglobal.com/2020/02/19/proactive-measures-needed-to-improve-hull-performance-says-jotun-marine-manager/
