Stolt Tankers is to use a graphene-based coating on the propellers of its ships as part of its decarbonisation efforts.
The chemical tanker giant has signed a two-year deal with Graphite Innovations & Technology (GIT) to apply the coating on 25 of its ships during 2023.
GIT’s XGIT-PROP graphene-based marine coating is said to be an “eco-friendly product” that reduces marine growth and improves propulsion efficiency while ensuring no harmful toxins or biocides are released.
The wider application of the coating follows a trial on the 29,709-dwt chemical tanker Stolt Acer (built 2004) in April 2022.
Stolt Tankers said it noted a “significant reduction” in fuel consumption and subsequently applied the coating to five additional ships.
“It is expected the coating will reduce biofouling impact and noise emissions from the company’s ships, helping to lower the impact to life below water while improving fuel efficiency,” the shipowner added.
“We have several sustainability ambitions and see GIT’s propeller coatings as a simple way to maximise fuel savings and minimise emissions,” said Jose Gonzalez Celis, energy and conservation manager at Stolt Tankers
“The shipping industry needs innovators like GIT to help drive change and make a significant positive impact on our oceans.”
Mo AlGermozi, co-founder and CEO at GIT, said: “They [Stolt Tankers] were able to measure significant improvement in fuel efficiency while ensuring they help maintain healthy and vibrant oceans.
“GIT’s XGIT-PROP is a graphene-based propeller coating that is designed to release the growth of fouling on ship propellers and reduce the frequency of propeller ‘polishings’ or cleanings after two to three coats.
“It also maintains the propulsive efficiency of the propeller and reduces damage due to cavitation, thereby lowering noise emissions.”
Graphene is a material that is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon, one of the most important elements in nature and which is found in daily objects like the lead of a pencil.
The material is said to stand out for being tough, flexible, light and with a high resistance. It is calculated to be 200 times more resistant than steel and five time lighter than aluminium.
Stolt Tankers claims to be the first chemical tanker company to apply GIT’s graphene-based propeller coatings to its fleet.
In June 2022, GIT announced it was teaming up with Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping in a strategic partnership deal.
GIT’s first project with Eastern Pacific involved the application of XGIT-PROP to the propeller of the 37,240-cbm LPG carrier Quebec (built 2017).
The company was scheduled to also apply the XGIT coating system on both the hull and propeller of the 34,500-cbm LPG carrier Kent (built 2007).
GIT said the application aboard the Kent would avoid the emission of up to 10,562 tonnes of CO2 over a five-year period.
