Knutsen OAS Shipping, the Norwegian LNG and tanker fleet owner with more than 30 vessels, has chosen Dutch-based AkzoNobel to supply marine coatings for its latest newbuilds from the South Korean shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Two more Knutsen vessels have received hull coatings from AkzoNobel’s high-performance Intershield 300 and Intersleek foul-release products.
AkzoNobel, the global paint and coatings supplier whose brands include Dulux paints, said another two recent newbuilt Knutsen LNG carriers received the coatings. They are the “Adriano Knutsen”, which has already left the shipyard, and the “Rias Baixas Knutsen” whose delivery is imminent.
The Knutsen LNG fleet now numbers 13 vessels with delivery of the newbuilds.
“Knutsen has used Intershield 300 on our vessels for a long time,” said Oliver Smith, Project Manager of the shipping company.
“The reason Knutsen applied Intershield 300 on our new LNGs is because we knew that in the long term, we were able to benefit from the lower maintenance cost,” explained Smith.
“When we have inspected the ballast tanks every five years for our vessels in service having Intershield 300, the number of repairs has been very minimal,” Smith added.
Intersleek was the industry’s first biocide-free foul release coating when it was released in 1996 and provides complete fouling prevention to the hulls of vessels prior to and after dry-docking.
“We’re delighted that our high-performing marine coatings were selected for Knutsen’s latest LNG vessels and proud that our experience and capability in coatings for LNG continues to be recognized,” said Jean-Michel Gauthier, Director of AkzoNobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings business.
Knutsen’s Smith said that the fuel consumption after five years as compared to year one (initial application of Intersleek) is maintained.
“This high performance also keeps future dry-docking costs down. After five years in service, the vessel had to only have one full finish coat applied instead of having to apply a full scheme,” said Smith.
“Knutsen has experienced the formation of green slime due to short lay-up and waiting periods. However, after sailing to the next port of call, the green slime was completely released, saving on any hull cleaning services at the port,” he added.
