World News
New Marine Coating Saves Fuel by Imitating Shark Skin
German researchers are developing a coating for ship hulls that reproduces the properties found in sharks' skin to minimise resistance and improve fuel efficiency, Deutsche Welle reports.
In sharks, movable scales known as riblets run parallel to the direction of swimming, preventing cross-currents around the fish, and the researchers have developed a coating for large ships that does the same thing.
"Resistance to the current is reduced through this groove structure on the shark's skin, which means sharks can swim faster while expending the same amount of energy," said Christian Johannsen of the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA), which is part of the research collaboration.
Johansen said the riblets reduce resistance more effectively at higher speeds, creating potential savings for ship owners of €234,000 ($300,000) per year.
The researchers are still investigating how to keep the structure from wearing away over time, reducing its effectiveness, and how to prevent biofouling from marine life such as mussels which would attach themselves to the coating increasing resistance.
An analysis last fall by consulting company Frost & Sullivan predicted that the marine coatings industry will see strong growth over the next few years as ship owners work to improve fuel efficiency.
In February, U.S. researchers said they were developing a coating that can "shake off" bacteria with tiny movements, helping to prevent the growth of marine life.
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| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 504.50 | 2.50 | 620.00 | 3.00 |
| Rotterdam | 456.00 | 1.50 | 621.50 | 2.00 |
| Houston | 476.00 | 7.00 | 624.00 | 1.00 |
| Fujairah | 496.50 | 2.00 | 713.00 | 2.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 526.50 | 0.50 | 712.00 | 0.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 483.00 | 2.00 | 644.50 | 0.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 570.50 | 1.50 | 751.00 | 1.00 |
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