Hempel recently signed a contract with Brazilian mining giant Vale, the world’s largest iron ore producer, to supply coatings for a five-vessel conversion project. The Hempel fouling release coating HEMPASIL X3 was designed to help reduce vessel maintenance costs, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas and biocide emissions. Danish-based Hempel will supply 150,000 liters of HEMPASIL X3 or advanced tin-free antifoulings for Vale’s forthcoming five-vessel conversion project. Five of Vale’s Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) will be converted to Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs) at the Yulian Shipyard and at the Huraung Dan Dong Shipyard in China. Hempel has been working closely with Vale, who plans to extend its fleet of ships to 50 by the end of 2013.
At the previous drydocking, the five VLCCs were coated with a standard fouling release silicone product. During the current conversion, HEMPASIL NEXUS X-TEND, a special tiecoat for repair and touch-up, will be an integrated part of the new paint system.