Page 36: of Marine News Magazine (March 2021)

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Smart Protective Coatings Project e are working on technology that will not decreased marine pollution and increasing the energy ef? - only advance green technologies used in ciency of ships,” said Dr. Marciel Gaier, GIT’s CTO. “Our the ocean but also protect Canada’s ma- project will support this future, with the end goal of help- “W rine ecosystem for years to come,” says ing to position the marine and global shipping industries

Mo AlGermozi, CEO of Graphite Innovation and Tech- in an environmental leadership position while, in parallel, nologies (GIT). reducing operating costs.”

Lloyd’s Register will oversee and provide independent

The company is partnering with marine services com- assessments under the Smart Protective Coatings Project, pany Horizon Maritime Services and research group Mit- which will include a pilot production to supply quantities acs for the $4.6 million Smart Protective Coatings Project, for demonstration and initial commercialization of LR- which aims to introduce new graphene-based protective certi? ed products.

coating products for vessels. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster John Hepburn, CEO and Scienti? c Director, Mitacs, is providing $2.2 million in funding with the balance com- said, “Thanks to the ongoing support of our partners, ing from industry partners. especially the government of Canada, Mitacs is able to

GIT’s graphene-based technology provides nontoxic accelerate innovative projects like Smart Protective Coat- protection and is speci? cally tailored to increase vessel fuel ings. This initiative will provide great opportunities for ef? ciency and hydrodynamic performance by protecting GIT to train up their future R&D leaders with PhD and against biofouling and corrosion. It is also engineered to master’s researchers.” help reduce underwater radiant noise. Sean Leet, CEO, Horizon Maritime, said, “Having

Among other advantages, the biocide-free hard foul re- worked with GIT for over two years now, we are excited lease type coating’s low volatile organic content (VOC) to be part of launching this OSC project and supporting minimizes the loss of material once the coating dries. And the next phase of GIT’s development. Our shared goal of due to the hardness of the coating it can easily undergo reducing the environmental impact of commercial marine underwater hull cleanings without damage to structural activities in our oceans is of paramount importance and integrity, enabling smoother and faster hull maintenance. we appreciate the opportunity to be on the leading edge of “The future of underwater marine coatings is driven by this transformational project.” © mimadeo / Adobe Stock 36 | MN March 2021