Stolt Tankers bets on graphene propeller coating to cut fuel costs

UK-based Stolt Tankers has inked a two-year agreement with Canadian coatings company Graphite Innovations & Technology (GIT) to apply graphene-based marine coating to the propellers of 25 of its tankers to reduce fuel costs and curb CO2 emissions.

PHOTO: Graphene-based coating on a propeller. Stolt Tankers.

The vessels’ propellers will be coated with GIT’s graphene-based propeller coating solution that “reduces marine growth and improves propulsion efficiency.”

Stolt Tankers views “GIT’s propeller coatings as a simple way to maximise fuel savings and minimise emissions,” the energy and conservation manager at Stolt Tankers, Jose Gonzalez Celis says.

The company trialled GIT’s graphene propeller coating on its tanker, Stolt Acer, last year, and noted “a significant reduction in fuel consumption.” Subsequently, it applied the coating to five other vessels.

Depending on ship type and class, the graphene propeller coating offers fuel savings of 3-4% on average, which could lead to carbon dioxide emission reduction of 380-400 mt, Celis tells ENGINE.

“They (Stolt Tankers) were able to measure significant improvement in fuel efficiency while ensuring they help maintain healthy and vibrant oceans,” GIT’s chief executive Mo AlGermozi adds.

By Tuhin Roy

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