Fouling Release Boosts Hull Performance
A silicone coating that keeps hulls free of marine growth while boosting the vessel’s performance and fuel economy will be featured on the Fujifilm Smart Surfaces stand at Marine Maintenance in Antwerp.
The Duplex fouling release system was developed by the U.S. Navy as an alternative to the toxic antifouling products that had been polluting U.S. ports for many years. Now manufactured by part of the giant Fujifilm Corporation, Duplex not only prevents marine flora and fauna from sticking to a ship’s hull but its water repellent characteristics also reduce hull drag to give measurable improvements in hull speed and fuel consumption. Although organisms may colonize a Duplex coated hull that remains stationary, as soon as the vessel moves through the water at speeds as low as 8 knots they become unable to retain their grip and are simply washed off.
Notable among the statistics that confirm the performance of Duplex are the results of tests that found it to be among the most durable and hard wearing of any silicone fouling release product on the market. Because its performance does not involve the release of heavy metals or toxins to eliminate marine growth, its effectiveness does not diminish with time and it has no need for renewal. With a life of at least five years, a single coating of Duplex can be expected to maintain the same level performance as on the first day, creating savings in maintenance costs.
Over the past three years, Duplex has proved successful in the U.S. market where it has been used on a variety of vessels ranging from bulk carriers to tugs and patrol boats. The predicted legislation against toxic antifouling is consequently expected to increase its importance as an effective alternative hull treatment. New licensing agreements now make the coating available throughout Europe where it is predicted to provide savings for vessel operators.
