Micanti success at Seawork

Unlike traditional copper antifouling coatings, the company’s non toxic antifouling adhesive foil, which lasts for more than five years, is effective in all conditions whether a vessel is moored or sailing.

The foil’s fibres create a textured surface which acts like a physical barrier to prevent organisms such as mussels, barnacles and algae, from settling on the hull of a vessel. These fibres also smooth water flow over the hull to ensure there is no loss of speed or wasted fuel.

Rik Breur, managing director of Micanti, told Maritime Journal: “Seawork was a great show. We signed the contract with our new distribution partner for the UK, Fendercare, and were introduced to several of the large players in the field.”

“We already knew about the UK potential for regular workboats, but what struck us was the huge potential in offshore wind, the supply vessels especially can benefit from our product. As most of the vessels are made of aluminium and therefore cannot use copper based anti-fouling, we have a unique opportunity with our Thorn-D product.”

Accredited by Lloyd’s Register, ABS and Bureau Veritas, the foil is also environmentally friendly as it works without emitting toxic chemicals which harm marine life, unlike traditional copper based anti-fouling paint.

While Micanti has seen a recent increase in interest from the commercial marine market, Thorn-D has already been applied and tested on one of Damen’s newly built tugs, BMS Towing’s tug Willem B, Dutch pilot boat Mercury, and other vessels for Acta Marine.