Jotun and BW LPG enter into an agreement for 38 vessels with Hull Performance Solutions (HPS)
Jotun, a global leader in hull performance solutions and marine coatings, has entered into a commercial agreement with BW LPG, to optimise hull performance across 38 vessels with Jotun’s Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) from year 2025 through to 2028. The agreement was signed during a ceremony that took place last weekat Nor-Shipping, Norway.
This contract builds on the proven performance of Jotun’s HPS on the existing 17 BW LPG vessels, which has since delivered significant fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The continued partnership underscores BW LPG’s confidence in Jotun’s HPS and its commitment to optimize vessel efficiency.
Commenting on the commercial agreement, Ricardo Ackermann, Head of Procurement at BW LPG said: "We conducted a very thorough process where we invited several paint suppliers for Dry Dock paint. Criteria such as ESG, delivery time, fuel saving as a result of hull performance through the coatings, references and obviously price played an important role. After identifying all elements and analysing the proposed coating solutions, the offered solutions and proposed logistics from Jotun were a deciding factor. The vast experience we had ourselves with Jotun DD paint and the fact that we hardly had any hull cleaning on vessels with the SeaQuantum X200 contributed to this decision.”
HPS have been deployed across 17 BW LPG vessels since 2020 with the first vessel, BW Aries, achieving remarkable results of no quantifiable speed loss% (+0.04%) over a period of 56 months DD interval, significantly outperforming the guaranteed 1.5% speed loss. With real-time performance monitoring through ISO 19030-2 by Jotun’s performance analysts, underwater inspection validation and internal assessment by BW LPG, the HPS vessels achieved sustained hull efficiency and zero unplanned hull cleanings – a remarkable achievement in operational performance.
Kevin Knott, Senior Manager, Fleet Performance at BW LPG shared his experience: “About five years ago, BW LPG opted to use Jotun’s HPS for its hull coating systems during scheduled dry dock periods. Subsequent monitoring of the vessel’s performance since application has shown positive results relating to fuel and emissions’ efficiency. Vessels undergo a six-monthly underwater hull inspection and propeller polish, which in most cases have negated the need to undertake any hull cleaning. “
As part of this agreement, BW LPG will be offered access to Jotun’s HullKeeper, an intelligent hull management platform to utilize services to support with hull management. One of the key digital services comes in the form of an ‘Alerts’ service powered by Jotun’s proprietary fouling risk algorithm. The algorithm automatically aggregates data, evaluate the cumulative fouling risk development of the vessel and provides a notification to users when an inspection is recommended. This will provide BW LPG with enhance insights and intelligence to cross check the recommendation and make data driven decision to act when necessary.
Separately, Jotun has published a new report revealing the consequences of poor biofouling management, based on a survey among 1,000 ship owners and operators, that is available on its website.