Dutch BMS Towing chooses green antifouling solution.
Maritime Technology Company Micanti has applied its patented non-toxic antifouling on the tug Willem-B Sr. Thorn-D is an adhesive foil with fibers that creates a textured surface. Instead of killing marine growth the textured foil is preventing it from attaching itself to the hull of a ship. Thorn-D is set to replace the generally used chemical coatings on hulls of ships. Willem-B Sr is owned by BMS Towing and mainly operates in the Netherlands for towage and salvage services.
Dr. ir. Rick Breur, founder of Micanti: “Five years ago I developed this patented non toxic antifouling. The technology provides a physical barrier in the shape of specific short fibers for organisms such as mussels, barnacles and algae to settle. The basic thought behind Thorn-D is that a combination of prickliness and swaying of Thorn-D fibers makes the surface unattractive for organisms. Multiple tests under various circumstances and in different locations around the world have been done and Thorn-D has proven to be effective every time.”
Compared to other antifouling products, Thorn D has many advantages. Whereas all other products are (chemical) coating products and need regular replacement, Thorn D is a physical barrier to fouling and has an expected lifetime of at least 5 years. Moreover, Thorn-D is sold as an easy-to-apply self adhesive foil instead of a (chemical) paint. As an additional , the physical nature of the product guarantees environmental friendliness.