BWEK has partnered with GIT Coatings to advance proactive hull management across its LPG fleet, resulting in significant fuel savings. The partnership follows strong results from BWEK's adoption of GIT's hard foul-release coating technology. This collaboration aims to reduce the environmental impact associated with aggressive reactive cleaning of biocidal self-polishing antifouling coatings.
The results achieved by BWEK and GIT demonstrate a practical way to manage hull condition during service, with regular visibility of hull condition and clearer planning around when and where action is needed. By adopting proactive hull management, BWEK can better predict fuel costs and emissions reduction, aligning with its focus on operational efficiency and environmental performance.
BWEK's adoption of GIT's graphene-based coating technology has resulted in a 6% out-of-dock power gain compared to the previous coating system. This significant improvement is attributed to the biocide-free nature of the coating, which reduces the need for reactive cleaning and minimizes environmental impact.
The partnership between BWEK and GIT Coatings highlights the growing importance of hull performance in relation to fuel costs, CII, and charterparty expectations. By prioritizing proactive hull management, BWEK can reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining operational predictability and efficiency.
BWEK's CEO Jakob Bode emphasizes the value of practical technologies and operational measures that support vessel efficiency and environmental performance. The collaboration with GIT Coatings has enabled BWEK to evaluate a more proactive approach to hull performance management, demonstrating the benefits of this approach in reducing fuel costs and emissions.
The use of GIT's graphene-based coating technology has been successfully applied to five LPG gas carriers, with one additional vessel currently undergoing dry-docking. This expansion demonstrates the scalability of the partnership and its potential to drive significant improvements in hull management across BWEK's fleet.
BWEK's proactive hull management strategy is centered around planned inspections and removal of early-stage slime before more resistant fouling develops. This approach supports fuel efficiency, lower emissions to air, and reduced environmental impact associated with aggressive reactive cleaning.
The partnership between BWEK and GIT Coatings has received Lloyd's Register Enhanced Type Approval, validating the performance of the coating after repeated cleaning. This validation underscores the reliability and effectiveness of the graphene-based coating technology in managing hull condition during service.
BWEK's focus on proactive hull management reflects the growing importance of this approach in reducing fuel costs, emissions, and environmental impact. By prioritizing hull performance, BWEK can maintain operational predictability while supporting its commitment to vessel efficiency and environmental sustainability.
The partnership demonstrates a practical approach to managing hull condition during service, supporting vessel efficiency and environmental performance.
