New U-Ming delivery protected by Nippon Paint
(Posted on 04/02/21)
Grand Wisdom, the second Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) to join the U-Ming Marine Transport fleet, has been delivered with a protective hull coating from Nippon Marine Paint’s A-LF Sea product range.
U-Ming Marine currently owns and operates Capesize, Post-Panamax, Kamsarmax, Panamax, Ultramax, Supramax, Cement Carriers, LR1 Tanker, Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC), amounting to 48 vessels (including vessels that are in operation, under construction, joint ventures and ship management service); with a total deadweight of 6.66 million tons.
Delivered in December from Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry’s shipyard in Qingdao, China, Grand Wisdom is the second in a pair of eco-friendly bulkers to join the owner’s 48-strong fleet. Sistership Grand Pioneer, delivered in August, represented the Taipei-headquartered shipowner’s entry into the VLOC market.
Motoi Takeuchi, Chairman, Nippon Paint Marine (Taiwan), said: “Our A-LF Sea coating has been supporting U-Ming’s corporate social responsibility objectives for several years now, having been applied to almost half the vessels in the shipowner’s fleet.
“That A-LF-Sea was specified for Grand Pioneer and Grand Wisdom, the 19th and 20th vessels in the U-Ming fleet to operate a Nippon Paint Marine hull protection system, underscores the coating’s capacity to improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.”
At 339.9m long, with a width of 62m, the 325,000dwt sisters – U-Ming’s first ever VLOCs – will operate under a 25-year Contract of Affreightment (COA) awarded by Vale International. The vessels will transport Brazilian iron ore to China.
In addition to the advanced hull coating system, each state-of-the-art vessel features LNG-ready MAN propulsion engines and exhaust gas cleaning systems designed to meet IMO emissions abatement requirements.
Nippon Paint Marine Europe Director John Drew said: “With ultra-low fuel consumption and, consequently, emissions – optimised by the A-LF Sea application – these vessels can deliver a greener, competitive advantage to U-Ming customers.
“The combined effect of Nippon's enhanced hydro-gel technology and the lower surface roughness from our rheology control technology leads to a proven 15% plus reduction in frictional resistance compared to other antifouling paints. It now pays to be green!”
Takeuchi added: “We are delighted to be working with such a forward-thinking owner. CO2 emissions are a major global concern and, as a paint manufacturer, we can help towards reducing shipowners’ carbon footprints by reducing drag on the underwater hull surfaces.
“U-Ming has a clear commitment to ocean sustainability, and we are delighted to support these green initiatives with A-LF-Sea. Together with our advanced hull condition software, we can help all shipowners reduce the amount of high-cost bunker fuels their ships need.”
A-LF Sea has been applied to more than 3,000 ships since the product was introduced in 2013
U Ming’s 2017-built 187,888dwt bulk carrier Cape Galaxy is one of twenty vessels to have benefited from the efficiency gains achieved with Nippon Paint Marine’s A-LF-Sea low-friction antifouling
Nippon Paint Marine is a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings, a top four global paint supplier. Nippon Paint has been producing marine coatings in Japan since the 1880s and has been the leader in the development of all kind of marine paint technology but especially antifouling paints.
Latest News
ClassNK releases ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines’
(Posted on 01/05/25)ClassNK has released ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines’ which aim to achieve sustainable... Read more
MCTC ensures quality remains at top of the table amid global tensions
(Posted on 30/04/25)In the face of unpredictable provisioning costs, port disruptions, and longer lead times MCTC has reinforced... Read more
NORDEN raises full-year guidance for 2025
(Posted on 28/04/25)On the back of the increased gains from sales of vessels and good operational performance, NORDEN, a... Read more
INTERCARGO welcomes ILO recognition of seafarers as key workers
(Posted on 28/04/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has welcomed the recent decision... Read more
MMS advises why seafarers must remain vigilant about malaria
(Posted on 25/04/25)Despite its lack of publicity, malaria remains an ongoing epidemic and a perilous threat to seafarers... Read more
Veson: Bulker S&P activity falls sharply in Q1 2025
(Posted on 22/04/25)Due to market uncertainty, overall sale and purchase levels for Bulkers have fallen year on year, with... Read more
Britannia Group announces CEO succession plan
(Posted on 22/04/25)The Britannia Group, a leading P&I insurer, has announced that its Chief Executive, Andrew Cutler... Read more
INTERCARGO responds to IMO's decision on GHG reduction measures
(Posted on 15/04/25)At last week's landmark MEPC 83 meeting, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States... Read more
NORDEN sells two additional vessels
(Posted on 15/04/25)In line with NORDEN’s strategy to realise asset values, the global provider of ocean-based freight... Read more
ILO delivers on Seafarers Key Worker Rights and fair treatment
(Posted on 15/04/25)The fifth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee (STC) of the MLC concluded last week with some... Read more
