AkzoNobel marine coatings protect sail-supported oil tankers
AkzoNobel has equipped a Chinese oil tanker with 350,000 liters of marine coatings. The tanker saves considerable fuel and reduces CO₂ emissions with wind propulsion through three fiberglass sails and its anti-fouling and anti-corrosion coating.
The Brands Hatch oil tanker is considered a major innovation in sustainable shipping technology and the entire vessel - including the underwater hull, deck and cargo oil tanks - is fitted with AkzoNobel's high-performance products. They provide comprehensive protection and crucial technical safety for the eco-efficient operation of the tanker. Built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co, the vessel is equipped with three smart fiberglass sails, which are expected to reduce fuel consumption by about 12% per year and annual carbon dioxide emissions by 5,000 tons under normal operating conditions. "We are very proud to have contributed to this pioneering project," says Rob Leslie, Commercial Director of Marine and Protective Coatings at AkzoNobel Greater China. "The successful application of our coatings not only confirms the performance of our international anti-fouling and anti-corrosion technologies, but also demonstrates the company's commitment to enabling decarbonization through sustainable innovation."
Coating against fouling and corrosion on oil tanker
Among the products used was Intercept 8500 LPP - one of the most powerful anti-fouling technologies in the international product range - which was applied to the underwater hull. This advanced coating provides consistent and effective performance for a clean, fouling-free hull. By combining linear polishing technology with an optimized biocide package, the coating contributes to significant fuel savings and reduced CO₂ emissions. The Brands Hatch, built for the British shipping company Union Maritime, is an Aframax vessel, an oil tanker with a capacity of between 80,000 and 120,000 tons deadweight. They are mainly used for the transportation of crude oil on short to medium distances. It is the third milestone vessel built in China that AkzoNobel has coated in recent years. The company also supplied more than 300,000 liters of International Marine Coatings for the Dream - the first domestically designed and built ultra-deepwater drillship - while Intersmooth fouling control technology was used on the Adora Magic City, the first large cruise ship to be built in China.