40
LNG
INDUSTRY
SEPTEMBER
2016
Added consultancy in hull
coating selection
To improve the rigour in hull coatings selection,
AkzoNobel has developed Intertrac
®
Vision – a big data
consultancy tool that provides accurate and transparent
predictions on the fuel and CO
2
savings potential of all of
its products prior to application. The technology, which
uses more than 3.5 billion data points, incorporates ship
powering requirements for representative hull forms,
including LNG carriers, bulkers, tankers, containerships
and cruise vessels.
It combines an understanding of total hull roughness
(micro and macro) and roughness associated with
biofouling, while using studies carried out by
computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on different hull
forms in order to make accurate predictions on the impact
of fouling control coatings on the comparative powering
requirements of a vessel.
The tool requires the input of unique vessel data and
coating scenarios to make bespoke predictions. Multiple
algorithms and models are used to provide an accurate
and detailed assessment on the impact of each potential
fouling control coating or application scenario over the
full dry docking cycle. Key outputs from the technology
include: ships powering requirement; fuel oil
consumption; fuel oil cost; greenhouse gas (GHG)
emission predictions; and a full cost-benefit analysis.
Addressing key trends in the
LNG coatings market
As the LNG industry continues to expand, hull coatings
manufacturers must continue to work alongside ship
owners and operators to respond to the changing
operational, environmental and regulatory landscape. Key
trends driving the LNG coatings market include current
and impending environmental regulations, the need to
increase operational and cost efficiencies, and pressure to
improve sustainability within the industry.
Consultancy tools can provide ship owners with an
assessment of the economic and environmental benefits
of upgrading from a biocidal coating to a biocide-free
coating, which can help to increase a vessel’s efficiency
and reduce CO
2
emissions and associated fuel costs.
Biocide-free coatings can also reduce paint volume and
volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
The company has also introduced a carbon credits
initiative, which enables ship owners to generate
additional income from the CO
2
reductions they deliver by
investing in more sustainable hull costings. With LNG ship
owners and operators under increasing pressure to deliver
more stringent environmental management plans, while
maintaining profitable operations, the ability of carbon
credits to turn energy efficiency into measurable
bottom line benefits is a timely and significant step
forward.
Biocidal solutions for LNG
carriers
LNG carriers represent a significant investment for any
ship owner. Failure to apply a coating that delivers
the right level of protection to LNG carriers can add
significant risk to the vessel’s structural integrity and
create additional costs for owners and operators during
the lifecycle of the vessel. Nonetheless, there are a
variety of reasons why some ship owners and operators
still favour biocidal coatings. Specific trading routes, dry
dock frequency and fouling challenges are all factors that
contribute to this.
Hull coatings manufacturers should continue to
develop high performing biocidal coatings that can lead to
improvements in operational, cost and environmental
efficiencies.
Supporting LNG’s upward
growth trajectory
As the LNG market continues to grow, the supply chain
must keep apace with its
development and deliver
solutions that ensure the
ongoing safe and efficient
operation of LNG carriers.
While the LNG industry
continues to use biocidal
coatings, biocide-free
solutions are capturing
a growing share of the
market. When combined
with innovative financial
mechanisms, such as carbon
credits, which provide
tangible incentives for
investment, biocide-free
coatings complement wider
efforts by the LNG industry
to cut emissions, while at
the same time enabling ship
owners and operators to
improve profitability.
Figure 2.
Intertrac
®
Vision, consultancy tool for hull performance management.
