Ecospeed Marine Coating System by Hydrex Lasts on Container Vessel After 2 Baltic Sea Winters

Tampa, FL, March 31, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Ecospeed marine coating system (http://www.ecospeed.be) lasts on the Baltic Swan container vessel after 2 Baltic winters. On January 20th the container vessel Baltic Swan came into drydock at the Damen-Van Brink shipyard in Pernis, Rotterdam. The underwater hull was found in virtually the same condition as it was when the vessel undocked two years ago. The vessel will require only a few touch ups to bring her back to her original condition.

M/V Baltic Swan is sailing for Swan Container Line and is owned and managed by Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-Kg. She was coated with Ecospeed in March 2008 as part of an EU-Life research project. The vessel has a fixed route going from Rotterdam to Bremerhaven and then on to Saint Petersburg. During the winter the most northern parts of this route are almost completely frozen and the vessel’s underwater hull frequently has to endure the impact of large pieces of floating ice. Despite this, there was no damage from the ice and the captain of the vessel was impressed with the condition of the Ecospeed marine coating system.

During the docking shipowners and managers were invited to witness firsthand the long lasting condition of Ecospeed after trading for 2 years in the Baltic. They could see from close inspection the excellent condition of the Ecospeed coating and also observe how the thin layer of slime that was present on the hull was easily removed with high pressure jetting. The visit ended with a luncheon hosted by Ecospeed and Damen shipyard during which the guests could discuss the long lasting durability and performance demonstrated by the coating.

“The Baltic Swan is one of many ships successfully using the Ecospeed marine coating system. Shipowners and operators repeatedly brief us on their satisfaction with the long lasting coating, the increased performance and fuel savings they are seeing with Ecospeed on their hulls. Gone for many are the days of doing a complete re-paint in drydock every 2 1/2 to 5 years,” says Krisof Adam Executive Administrator, Hydrex world headquarters in Belgium.
EU-LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout Europe. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed some 3115 projects, contributing approximately €2 billion to the protection of the environment. For more information on the Ecospeed EU-Life project visit http://www.hydrex.be/life_project.html.

Ecospeed marine coating system (http://www.ecospeed.be) manufactured by Subsea Industries N.V., a subsidiary of Hydrex N.V. in Antwerp, Belgium, is made of a vinyl ester resin base reinforced with glass platelets. It is the only homogenous coating providing hull protection with mechanical antifouling properties. Ecospeed uses glass platelets specially designed to resist water ingress in the marine environment. After the curing process is complete and the vessel re-floated it is gradually conditioned to an exceptionally smooth finish. The hull roughness, unlike other coatings is brought down to a figure of less than 20 micron, thus providing a more efficient hull and hence substantial fuel savings. Ecospeed lasts 25 years and comes with a 10 year guarantee.

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