Unique hull coating improves QM2’s performance

Cunard’s decision to recently coat the underwater hull of QM2 with the fluoropolymer foul release coating Intersleek 900 has paid off. During the vessel’s recent drydocking in Hamburg, 6,000m2 of the underwater hull of QM2 was blasted and coated with International Paint’s Intersleek 900; the vessel having being previously been coated with a self polishing copolymer (SPC) antifouling. The decision to switch to Intersleek 900 was part of Cunard’s strategic initiative to reduce fuel usage, cost and associated CO2 emissions whilst maintaining operational schedules.

Commenting on the selection of Intersleek 900, David Strawford, Head of Technical Services, Carnival UK said: ‘To date, performance results have been very positive. The vessel is achieving operational speed whilst utilising less power than was previously the case. A significant improvement compared to the previous SPC system.’

Carnival has coated more cruise vessels with International Paint’s Intersleek system than any other passenger vessel operator. Their first vessel to be coated was P&O cruises’ Oriana in 1999 with the silicone-based foul release system Intersleek 700. Since then 20 other Carnival cruise ships have subsequently been coated.

Following the introduction of Intersleek 900 in 2007, the company is currently upgrading existing silicone coated vessels to advanced fluropolymer technology. Smoother, tougher and with better foul release capabilities than its silicone-based predecessor, Intersleek 900 was most recently applied on P&O Cruises’ Arcadia and has been specified on the four AIDA Cruises newbuildings currently under construction at Germany’s Meyer Werft. Sphere: Related Content