New HEMPASIL X3 marine paint reduces fuel consumption

With vast numbers of ships traveling the world’s oceans daily and consuming large quantities of fossil fuels, it is not surprising that fleet owners would be focused on ways to reduce their fuel bills and carbon footprint. We've touched on the problem of higher fuel costs associated with ineffective marine paint in the past and it's these costs that the new HEMPASIL X3 package aims to address.

HEMPASIL X3 is a new third-generation fouling release system launched by Hempel in November 2008 which comes with a guarantee that it will reduce a sea vessel’s fuel consumption by at least 4-8 per cent within the first year, depending on the type of ship. Because ships use SO MUCH fuel, it has been shown to cut a vessel’s fuel bill by up to USD 1.5 million annually with a promise to significantly lower CO2 emissions.

How it works

The system comes as a package that includes the paint system, the fuel saving guarantee and a third-party onboard fuel monitoring system – SeaTrend from FORCE Technology – that measures and documents fuel savings.

HEMPASIL X3 uses hydrogel silicone to prevent fouling on a vessel’s hull. The super water-absorbent hydrogel forms a polymeric network over the hull fooling organisms to perceive the hull as a liquid and not a solid surface – and as a result, they don’t try to catch hold. The hydrogel layer is effectively backed up by silicone, known for its self-cleaning properties.

HEMPASIL X3 can be specified for 90-month service intervals, and Hemple says that unlike other fouling release products it works at speeds as low as 8 knots and is still effective at 50 per cent activity levels. This means longer intervals between dry docking (saving more $’s), and at the same time makes fouling release coatings relevant for a greater range of ships.

The fuel saving effects of HEMPASIL X3 have been documented through towing tank studies and applications on more than 20 vessels.

The Green Impact

HEMPASIL X3 can significantly reduce the carbon footprint for ship operators says Torben Rasmussen of Hemple. “To put it in perspective, if the entire world fleet cut fuel consumption by 8 per cent, the fleet’s carbon footprint would drop by 80 million tones per year – that’s a reduction equal to the yearly CO2 emissions of the Philippines.” Hemple says that the environmental credentials are further boosted by its biocide composition and minimal VOC level, ensuring solvent levels are kept to an absolute minimum.

David Greig

Via: Hemple Ltd.