Increasing operational efficiency of high speed ro-ro vessels via new hull coating technologies

The purpose of this study is to review available data on new hull coating technologies and analyze the potentials to decrease fuel consumption as well as speed loss for high speed RO-RO vessels. Ships' fuel consumption accounts for the important part of operational expenses and it is straight forward that every ship owner would aim to run their fleet as optimum as possible in terms of fuel efficiency. IMO has developed the Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI) that provides information concerning the efficiency of the ships in operation where fuel consumption is the main criteria for the calculation. The reduction of fuel consumption through decreased frictional resistance of hull is one of the most known method in maritime industry to increase operational efficiency of ships. Literature needs further studies regarding hull performances with the real-life data even if there will be higher uncertainties compared to laboratory test results. Ship operators are generally making their decisions according to real life experiences. In this report, actual field data of high speed RO-RO vessels has been studied according to ISO 19030 Part 3 for reference and evaluation periods. All vessels are sister vessels and were built in the same shipyard with same characteristics. New technology; self-polishing or foul release coatings are tested against conventional coatings that the vessels had been coated previously. Results indicate that the new technology foul release silicone coatings create significant fuel savings through decreased speed loss. Keywords ⎯ Fuel consumption, Antifouling coating technologies, speed loss, high speed Ro-Ro vessels