PPG completes 200th electrostatic hull coating drydocking at EDR Antwerp

PPG has completed its 200th vessel dry docking using electrostatic application of marine fouling control coatings, nearly three years after introducing the method. The milestone was reached on the Stena Britannica, a Liberia-flagged RoPax vessel operated by Stena Line, at EDR Antwerp shipyard in Belgium.

The work involved application of PPG Sigmaglide 2390 fouling release coating, a silicone-based, biocide-free solution. The electrostatic technique uses a spray gun to direct coating particles onto a grounded metal surface, achieving uniform coverage and reducing overspray, material waste and carbon emissions compared with traditional airless spray methods.

Dennis Tetzlaff, chief operating officer, Fleet, at Stena Line, said: “In an industry that makes up 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, we take responsibility for our impact on the environment. Our target is to reduce CO₂ emissions from our vessels by 30% by 2030, based on a 2019 reference point. We are taking substantial steps to drive down our carbon footprint and decrease any negative impact on biodiversity. Collaborating with partners like PPG allows us to adopt solutions that help address global challenges.”

PPG said the electrostatic application also delivers Scope 3 carbon lifecycle savings by reducing raw material extraction, manufacturing and transport. Jan Willem Tegelaar, global marine platform director at PPG, added: “This 200th electrostatic application milestone demonstrates how industry collaboration can drive real sustainability progress in marine coatings.”