Pacific Basin selects graphene-based propeller coating

Dry bulk shipping company Pacific Basin has decided to apply XGIT-PROP, a sustainable graphene propeller coating developed by Canadian company GIT Coatings, across its entire fleet.

Following its successful application on a Supramax dry bulk vessel and the positive results observed, Pacific Basin has begun rolling out XGIT-PROP on 40 vessels scheduled for dry dock maintenance in 2024. This decarbonization move marks the largest adoption of graphene-based propeller coatings in the dry bulk sector.

Sanjay Relan, general manager of Pacific Basin Optimization and Decarbonization, said: "We have been applying silicone coatings to ship propellers since 2007 to proactively keep propeller surfaces smooth and avoid the frequent need for polishing to restore lost performance. However, we were unable to avoid edge damage to the silicone coating on the propeller, which required the entire propeller coating to be stripped and reapplied at each stop. "

"By adopting XGIT-PROP hardcoating for our entire fleet, we are taking a proactive move towards more sustainable practices. We want to maintain a damage-free, smooth propeller surface over a longer period of time and increase efficiency. At the fleet level, we expect significant reductions in environmental impact and operating expenses."

XGIT-PROP is a biocide-free hard stain release coating designed to withstand the harsh conditions faced by propellers, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional biocide-based soft stain release coatings that releases silicone oil and often peels off the propeller blades. XGIT-PROP combines a strong adhesive primer with a hard antifouling topcoat to ensure the propeller surface remains smooth during dry-docking cycles.

A fuel efficiency study conducted by Stolt Tankers in 2022 demonstrated that XGIT-PROP has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 4%. In addition to improving CII ratings, shipowners in the dry bulk industry are taking advantage of XGIT-PROP’s efficiency gains to improve their vessels’ RightShip GHG ratings.