NPMC’s hull coating wins award

Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Environment, Tetsuya Yagi, presented the award to Seiichiro Shirahata, NPMC's President, after a select committee found the coating system met all the criteria in the ‘countermeasure technology’ category.

The judging panel found that coating contributed to reduced drag, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions from those vessels that have applied the hull coating.

On receiving the award earlier this month, Shirahata said: “As regulations to limit ship emissions enter into force in January, we are delighted to have won this accolade. This award recognises the significant contribution the coating is having on reducing emissions and shipping’s impact on the global environment.”

Based on a patented ‘water trapping’ hydrogel technology – a concept derived from the structure of tuna fish – LF-Sea coatings reduce water flow resistance (drag), meaning less energy is required to propel the ship through the water. Shipowners that have applied the coating have experienced a reduced fuel consumption of between 4 - 10%, compared to regular SPC antifouling paints.

Makoto Nakagawa, NPMC Sales and Marketing General Manager, said: "This award recognises the wide take-up of the LF-Sea series of coatings as an environmentally responsive system. As an environmentally conscientious company, we strive to deliver state-of-the-art products that contribute to industry initiatives to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.”

Coatings in the LF-Sea series include the LF-Sea, LF-Sea150 HyB product, introduced in 2007, and A-LF-Sea, which was launched in 2013. A new underwater antifouling coating is set to be added to the series next year.

In November 2019, NPMC reported an annual increase in application of its coating LF-Sea coating products. As of June 2019, the company’s low-friction coatings have been applied to the hulls of more than 2900 ships.

The Ministry of Environment has been awarding Japanese individuals, companies or groups for their “contribution towards preventing global warming” since 1998.

The Award ceremony is held each December to coincide with Global Warming Prevention Month.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/shipping/25122019/npmcs-hull-coating-wins-award/