Advanced Polymer Coatings of Ohio, USA, believes that the average cost of coatings per square meter over the lifetime of a ship is $80 for its ship coating, compared to $290 for conventional phenol epoxy coatings.

The cost savings are due to fewer recoatings, less cleaning chemicals, fewer slop liquids to dispose of, and faster tank cleaning (leading to faster ship turnaround).

APC has developed a computer software package on its website (www.adv-polymer.com) which enables tanker operators to calculate how much APC believes they can save by using its MarineLine.

The software calculates for example that the owner of a 12,000 dwt tanker would save $10.1m over the life of the ship (20 years), which he could keep as profit, from using MarineLine.

Donald Keehan, president of APC, recommends that shipowners specify MarineLine when they negotiate with the shipyard to build a ship, so the shipyard does not charge enormous additional costs to apply it.

Mr. Keehan says that shipyards ought to give shipowners a reduction if they ask for MarineLine, because it is easier to apply than conventional coatings.

“Everybody that’s applied it say it’s easier, “he says. “You don’t have to wait between putting different coats on.”

“We have shipyards saying, to change you need $1.3m extra. Crazy things they come out with, for example design cost change $122,000, $150,000 for something in the cabin.”

“Shipowners are willing to pay extra for our product but it will not be ridiculous.”

Shipping companies which recently applied MarineLine include Clipper Denmark, Kaptanoglu (Turkey), Seatrend (Belgium), IMC Ships (Dalian) and Herning Shipping (Denmark). The company has also applied 16 ships so far this year and has a further 20 vessels to coat in Turkey and 2 in China.

All of the vessels are chemical and product tankers.