International offers long-term speed guarantees

Intertrac HullCare, launched yesterday, combines high-performance coating schemes tailored for different ship types and operating profiles, regular underwater inspections using drones, and sustainable hull cleaning undertaken by a global network of specialist hull maintenance partners.

John Willsher, Akzo Nobel’s Global Account Manager – Marine, revealed that the new system, designed in line with Akzo Nobel’s high-ranking sustainability criteria, will enable International to guarantee a maximum speed loss of just 1% over an operating period of up to ten years. Depending on ship type and deployment, coating profiles can be provided on five, seven-and-a-half, or ten year periods, he said.

Central to the system are regular inspections, analysis and reporting to track hull condition. Clients will be updated with quarterly reports compiled using latest ROV inspection information supported by big data collated over many years in the Intertrac system. Annual condition reports will include biofouling development assessments in line with the ISO 19030 standard and recommendations on drydock scheduling, saving time and optimising coating system planning, Willsher said.

International has partnered with California-based underwater ROV specialist, Orobotix, which will supply drones for use by specialist hull maintenance companies – Dubai-based HullWiper, Ecosubsea of Norway, and C-Leanship in Singapore.

Each company has service centres in various locations and will use high-pressure water jets for sustainable hull cleaning and reclamation in line with Bimco standards.

Willsher admitted that the Intertrac HullCare launch has been delayed by about six months due to the pandemic. However, this had enabled the company to work closely with some of its long-time cruise clients, he said, as they recommissioned vessels that had been laid up for many months.

So far, over 60 inspections have been completed on a wide range of ships, he said, at locations in the Far East, Middle East, and Europe.

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International offers long-term speed guarantees with new hull maintenance system