The firm orders cover a 152,000 dwt newbuilding at Cosco Shipyard in China, and a pair of 158,000 dwt tankers building at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea. The vessels will be chartered out to BG Houston for offshore operations in the Campos Basin region of Brazil.
Knutsen OAS Shipping’s gm for newbuilding, Tom K. Knutsen (no relation), explained to Seatrade Maritime News that the decision was based on previous operating experience in Brazil, where the company already has around seven vessels working in the employ of Repsol and Petrobras/Transpetro.
The slow start-up of various Brazilian oil production projects has meant these vessels have often lain idle for weeks on end, however, meaning on reactivation “fouling became a real issue”.
Jotun duly recommended SeaQuantum X200 to help solve the problem, and initial applications proved so successful that Knutsen’s Operations division insisted that the same coating be used on all subsequent vessels for use in Brazil.
Also included in the KNOT deal is supply of Jotun’s proprietary hull performance measuring system to monitor the condition of hull and coating, which is fully compliant with the draft ISO-CD 19030 standard due to enter into force within 18-24 months.
SeaQuantum X200 coatings have to date been applied to over 350 vessels, with performance measurement showing a 13.2% saving in fuel consumption – and therefore emissions – over a five-year period compared to the market average, says Jotun vp – marine coatings Geir Boe.
Separately, Jotun also signed a cooperation agreement with DNV GL on improving hull performance. The project will bring together two performance management services, Jotun’s Hull Performance Solution and DNV GL’s ECO Insight solution, to collect and analyse data on hull degradation, allowing ship operators to better cut their fuel bills and reduce emissions.
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