Mike Agosta08.10.05
As diverse as the coatings market is, all coatings share a common bond in that one of their main purposes is protection. The differences stem from what, exactly, the coating is formulated to protect against. Marine coatings are formulated to provide a water-resistant finish, and to resist salt, ultraviolet rays, abrasion, corrosion and the growth of fouling organisms, such as slime, vegetation, marine life and calciferous growths.
Obviously these growths can cause damage to a ship, but they can also indirectly damage the environment. The presence of fouling organisms increases the drag of a ship through the water which makes the engines work harder. This wastes fuel and adds pollutants to both the air and water.
"The overall goal of marine coatings is to keep vessels fouling free and, thereby annually save an estimated 70 million tons of fuel, which also means lowering emissions to the atmosphere by 210 million tons of CO2 and 5.6 million tons of SO2," said Claes-Skat Rordam, global product manager, Hempel's Marine Paints A/S.
Lowering the emissions from ships is becoming increasingly important because the market is growing,
Obviously these growths can cause damage to a ship, but they can also indirectly damage the environment. The presence of fouling organisms increases the drag of a ship through the water which makes the engines work harder. This wastes fuel and adds pollutants to both the air and water.
"The overall goal of marine coatings is to keep vessels fouling free and, thereby annually save an estimated 70 million tons of fuel, which also means lowering emissions to the atmosphere by 210 million tons of CO2 and 5.6 million tons of SO2," said Claes-Skat Rordam, global product manager, Hempel's Marine Paints A/S.
Lowering the emissions from ships is becoming increasingly important because the market is growing,
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