Operators of vessels providing passenger services in highly competitive markets must provide their passengers with a safe and comfortable service and also consider the implications of short and long term investment in marine coatings.

Majestic Fast Ferry Pte. is a ferry operator based in Singapore, serving passengers traveling back and forth from the Harbor Front and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore, as well as Batam Center and Sekupang Ferry Terminal in Batam and Tanjung Pinang in Bintan, Indonesia.

The company is committed to providing high-quality, reliable and comfortable ferry services with the best possible fuel consumption given the frequency of sailings.

Majestic Fast Ferry was looking for a coating solution that would provide proven energy savings and speed improvements and, importantly, last longer than the existing silicone antifouling coating provided by a competitor.

To meet the customer’s requirements - and to overcome any reservations about silicone coatings – PPG proposed its PPG SIGMAGLIDE 1290 100% pure silicone binder system for a trial on Majestic 9. 

This system utilizes a technology breakthrough – dynamic surface regeneration, to eliminate slime problems and keep the hull completely smooth from the outset, enabling the ship to move smoothly through the water, reducing power requirements throughout operations compared to traditional fouling release products.

PPG SIGMAGLIDE 1290 system is part of the established PPG SIGMAGLIDE fouling release range, which has been used on hundreds of vessels worldwide, including cruise ships, tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, gas carriers, dredgers, FPSOs, fishing vessels and tugs. 

PPG SIGMAGLIDE 1290 can achieve high power demand reduction throughout a vessel’s service life, delivering immediate energy savings and reduced costs.

Once applied to Majestic 9, the company declared itself pleased by the coating’s performance, particularly the improved service speeds and energy savings. It was so impressed by PPG’s comprehensive service and support throughout the project that it decided to switch to using PPG SIGMAGLIDE 1290 for all its other ferries.

“Based on the exemplary performance of both the coating and the excellent support throughout the project from the PPG team, we have started to switch to using PPG SIGMAGLIDE 1290 for the rest of our fleet,” said Majestic Fast Ferry’s Managing Director, Max Tan.

PPG SIGMAGLIDE 1290 – Key Features and Benefits

• Long-lasting biocide-free fouling release coating with excellent adhesion;
• 100% pure silicone technology with surface regeneration properties;
• Excellent fouling resistance and release performance eliminates slime problems and increases energy savings;
• Instant low friction with smooth operation from the start contributes to minimizing environmental footprint in line with EEDI and SEEMP requirements;
• For use at newbuilding, refurbishment and maintenance, with an extensive track record of over 400 vessels since 2001