MSC and Jotun strengthen partnership with “always clean hull”-agreement

Geneva-based shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has opted to install Jotun’s Hull Skating Solutions (HSS) on its 14,000-TEU container vessel MSC Daniela. 

The agreement incorporates a recoat of the vessel’s hull with Jotun’s SeaQuantum Skate coating, and a ride-along Hullskater inspection and cleaning robot, which is deployed to clean slime from the hull during intervals where the vessel is alongside or otherwise at anchor.

This thin film-like layer is the precursor for larger and bulkier forms of marine fouling. It is now thought that just as hull fouling quickly compounds to a much greater drag penalty, proactive and regular hull-cleaning adds up to big gains in fuel efficiency, preventing vessel speed reduction. The company recently received independent verification from DNV, confirming an always clean hull for vessels using HSS, with no measurable speed loss.

The installation was completed during a June drydocking in China. "By maintaining a clean hull, we can cut carbon emissions and also preserve fuel, which is an important priority for MSC,” said Giuseppe Gargiulo, Head of Newbuilding at MSC. “We look forward to working closely with Jotun to maximise the benefits of this solution."

"This agreement underlines the growing importance of proactive hull performance management across the shipping industry," said Tom H. Evensen, Regional Shipping Sales Manager at Jotun. "As shipowners continue to focus on efficiency and decarbonisation, solutions that help maintain clean hulls and predictable performance are becoming increasingly important. A clean hull is an efficient hull.” Earlier this month, cruise operator Carnival Cruise Line had announced a similar agreement with Jotun.