The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Protection for ice-going vessels

(Posted on 01/10/20)

Three years ago, Ecospeed was applied on Antarctic, a shallow draught anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel owned by Ark Shipping Company. The success of this application led the owner of the boat to order the same protection for his next two shallow draught AHTS vessels: Polar and Polus. Building of these vessels will start in 2021 and will again take place at the Atlas Shipyard in Kocaeli, Turkey.

Ark Shipping Company is a large Russian business structure performing river and sea transportation. The organization has been successfully operating in the transport and logistics market since 1992. The key cargo transportation routes run through the basins of the Neva, Volga, Oka, Don rivers, the Caspian, Black, and Azov seas, as well as the Gulf of Finland and the seas of the Arctic Ocean.

Atlas Shipyard was established in May 2005 and has focused on the construction and repair of specialized vessels up to 25.000 Dwt. The layout of the facilities and manufacturing processes at Atlas Shipyard allows for maximum efficiency through application of mass production techniques in shipbuilding.

Ark Shipping Company originally selected our coatings amidst strong competition because of their proven performance in polar waters. The Ice-Class 1A, 65m tug Antarctic carries out anchor handling and oil recovery duties in the ecologically sensitive Arctic in compliance with the IMO Polar Code requirements.

Due to its unique composition, Ecospeed is not only the best protection available for underwater hulls of icebreakers and ice going vessels, the coating also provides the best hull performance and is the easiest ice going paint to apply and maintain.

Many applications on ice going hulls show that our coatings can withstand the impact of ice for many years on end. Some of these vessels have been sailing for well over ten years without needing to be repainted.

Ecospeed has been recognized by Lloyd’s Register as an abrasion resistant ice coating for ships. Its correct use on the ice belt specifically permits a reduction of the ice belt’s steel plating by up to 1mm.

Orkun Çomuo?lu who is the managing director at Amat Engineering, Subsea Industries’ agent in Turkey said: “These are super ice-class vessels that require extensive hull protection for the operations they (will) undertake. The positive experience with the Antarctic made the choice for the next two vessels much easier for the owner.”