Maximizing Operational Efficiency: VREMAR SRL Evaluates Propspeed's Effect on "King David" Crew Support Vessel

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A comprehensive evaluation was conducted by VREMAR SRL, an Italian-based offshore fleet operator, to assess the effectiveness of Propspeed’s biocide free, foul-release coating system on their crew support vessel "King David", focusing on fuel consumption and operational efficiency. Conducted by Technical Manager Massimiliano Rossetti and the vessel owner Marco Vrenna, the study compared diesel consumption data from the vessel before the application of the Propspeed coating system, to the data after the Propspeed coating system had been applied. The results indicated a 13.5% reduction in fuel consumption, translating to substantial cost savings and reduced carbon emissions, making the treatment a valuable investment for commercial fleets. 

“This result has identified that the application of Propspeed not only leads to significant economic savings but also improves the environmental sustainability of the ship's operation,” said Mr Rossetti. “Since we started using Propspeed, we’ve made it a priority to include it in all our fleet’s maintenance schedules to obtain similar benefits. I genuinely believe that all our vessels can benefit from this innovative system.”

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The focus of this study was to assess the diesel consumption of the "King David" vessel before and after the application of the Propspeed coating system. The primary aim was to provide performance data demonstrating the coating system's effectiveness in reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions, as operational efficiency and suitability are both important to VERMAR SRL.

DATA COLLECTION

Data was gathered by “King David's” onboard monitoring system over two key operational periods for comparison:

• 142 navigational hours before the application of the Propspeed coating system
• 161 navigational hours after the application of the Propspeed coating system

Key metrics monitored included:

• Minutes of vessel movement/operation
• Total diesel consumption (in kilograms)
• Specific diesel consumption (in kg/hour)

The data capture parameter of navigational hours over a period of time was set by VREMAR SRL to smooth out the impact of uncontrolled variables. The analysis is focused on understanding the operational changes resulting from the Propspeed coating system.

KEY FINDINGS

The analysis provided critical insights into the improvements in operational efficiency after Propspeed’s application. The following table presents a detailed comparison of the key metrics:

Performance Metrics:

• Fuel Consumption: After the application of the Propspeed coating system, the vessel operated for longer periods while consuming less fuel overall. The specific diesel consumption dropped from 629 kg/hour to 544 kg/hour, demonstrating an 85 kg/hour reduction.
• Efficiency Gains: Despite the vessel operating for 19 more hours, its total diesel consumption was lower, highlighting the efficacy of Propspeed in reducing drag, propeller roughness, fouling and improving vessel speed.
• Environmental Impact: The reduction in fuel consumption directly translates to a lower carbon footprint, supporting more sustainable maritime operations by decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Long-Term Savings: By reducing the frequency of required maintenance Propspeed not only improves immediate vessel performance but also contributes to long-term operational savings.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight Propspeed as a leading solution for commercial vessels aiming to improve operational efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and support environmental sustainability. The application of Propspeed’s biocide-free, foul-release coating led to a 13.5% reduction in specific fuel consumption, equating to an 85 kg/hour decrease, despite increased operational time. This not only highlights significant fuel savings but also highlights Propspeed’s role in enhancing vessel performance and supporting fleet operators and owners in achieving their sustainability goals.

Propspeed’s high-impact, low-investment solution addresses the maritime industry’s need for sustainable and cost-effective operations by reducing fuel consumption, lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and cutting operating costs. Its proven effectiveness on the “Kind David” demonstrates that wider adoption across commercial fleets could result in significant savings and improved return on investment (ROI), making it an ideal choice for vessels seeking to enhance efficiency while meeting sustainability goals.

Confidant in their performance evaluation of the Propspeed coating system, VREMAR SRL has now adopted it across their entire fleet of 4 support vessels.