Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC

Citation

(2000), "Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 29 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2000.12929aaf.001

Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC

Keywords International Coatings, Coatings, Shipbuilding, Anti-fouling paints

International Coatings informs us that since its formal introduction in Japan in 1990, Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC has been applied to the complete underwater hull of over 1,200 commercial vessels >4,000 dwt and to over 2,000 coastal vessels. Developed in conjunction with International's technology partner in Japan, Nippon Paint Marine Coatings (NPMC), International introduced the family of Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC products globally in 1997. Since then they report continued, proven performance in service and the impending TBT ban has resulted in a sharp increase in volume sales.

The patented, tin-free, Intersmooth Ecoloflex self-polishing copolymer (SPC) technology reportedly ensures a continual biocide release, self-polishing and inherent self-smoothing for extended dry-dock intervals. According to International Coatings, high levels of performance have been confirmed on those deep sea vessels that have since re-docked (>400). These outturn data, they inform us, which have been analysed by the International Dataplan performance monitoring system[1], prove that Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC products can offer an equivalent performance to "premium" grade TBT SPC products.

International Coatings believes that exceptional performance characteristics with freedom from TBT biocide restrictions mean Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC antifoulings are now realistic fouling control alternatives to tin-based SPC products. The number of applications, they inform us, since 1997 has accelerated rapidly with some of the world's most respected operators choosing Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC, including: AP Moller, Barber, Bergeson, BP Shipping, Carnival, Celebrity, Cho Yang Shipping, COSCO, Denholm Ship Management, Dockendale, Evergreen, Great Circle, Grimaldi, Holland America Line, Lykes, Neptune Ship Management, Norbulk, OSG (MOC), Osprey Maritime (Europe) Ltd, P&O Nedlloyd, P&O Cruises, P&O Ferries, Princess Cruises, Polembros, RCCL, Sorensen, Tanker Pacific, Thome Ship Management, United Arab Shipping, Wallems and Zodiac.

Two recent applications include the LNG Methane Polar and the cruise liner Oriana.

The Methane Polar, a liquid gas carrier, is the second vessel owned by British Gas Asian Pacific PTE Ltd and operated by Osprey Maritime (Europe) Ltd to be coated with Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC. The work was carried out in dry-dock in Brest, France last April. The flats and underwater sides of the 32,878 dwt ship, an area of 11,500 square metres, were coated with over 7,000 litres of Ecoloflex. Its sister ship, the Methane Arctic, received the same treatment in dry-dock in September 1998.

During a recent two-and-a-half week refit in Southampton, UK, over 3,500 litres of Intersmooth Ecoloflex SPC were applied to P&O's flagship liner Oriana. Oriana carries over 1,800 passengers and almost 800 crew and is specially equipped to operate round the world cruises, which she does each year from January to March, calling at 30 ports in 90 days. During the rest of the year she sails in the Mediterranean, Baltic, around Scandinavia and the Caribbean. The 69,000 grt vessel came into service in 1995. With her elegant sweeping lines and technically advanced hull, she was the fastest cruise ship built for 25 years, with an operating speed of 24 knots.

Details available from: International Coatings, Tel: + 44 (0) 191 401 2417; Fax: +44 (0) 401 2561; e-mail: jim.brown@uk.akzonobel.com

Note

1 The International "Dataplan" performance monitoring system records the application and performance of coating systems on over 30,000 vessels currently in service. At each dry-docking, vessel details, including dry-docking interval and coating performance, are recorded. Antifouling coatings are assessed for the presence of fouling, (type, severity and extent) and from this an antifouling performance rating can be calculated.