Antifouling system saves costs
Netherlands-based shipping company Wijnne Barends is using NRG Marine’s Sonihull Ultrasonic Anti-foul Protection system on two of its ships to help it save up to 95% of capex and lifetime MRO costs.
In late 2018, the 88m long Lady Ariette and Lady Anne Beau general cargo ships had their box coolers cleaned and Sonihull8 systems installed. On both vessels, five transducers were bonded onto the box-coolers and three transducers onto the sea chests. The ultrasonic technology is designed to keep the heat exchangers clear of weeds, barnacles and mussels and ensure that optimum cooling performance is maintained for the vessels’ main equipment.
“Compared to impressed current anti-fouling systems, Sonihull8 can save as much as 95% of capex and lifetime MRO costs,” said Dominic Findlow, technical director for Sonihull. “There are no expensive anodes to replace and no specialist fitting is required. The box-cooler’s pressure vessel does not need to be drilled, so there are also no added re-surveying and testing costs for Classification Society documentation.”
No residue
Sonihull releases no poisonous toxins, doesn’t leach out metallic compounds into the seawater and consumes as little as 3.6W per transducer, added Mr Findlow.
The installation was undertaken by Lamers System Care, Sonihull’s distributor in the Netherlands.
NRG Marine will be exhibiting at Seawork 2019 on stand PO97.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
