GIT introduces new partners to ‘Smart Protective Coatings’

Canada-based Graphite Innovation and Technologies (GIT), a leading provider of sustainable marine coatings, has announced new additions to its Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Technology Leadership Project, the Smart Protective Coatings Project.

New partners include Oceanex Inc, a leading Canadian maritime transportation company, Baffin Fisheries, the leading commercial fisheries enterprise in Nunavut, Canada and Sma’knis Maritime Safety & Security Inc, a service firm specialising in port and harbour security. Together, these new partners will collaborate on strategic projects and future commercial opportunities.

Oceanex is committed on implementing sustainable solutions throughout its fleet of container and Ro-Ro vessels. Oceanex consistently scores highly in Green Marine verification rankings in areas such as emissions, underwater noise, and invasive species. Both Oceanex and GIT are Green Marine partners.

"For Oceanex, we always strive for continual improvement of our environmental performance,” said Captain Sid Hynes, Executive Chairman, Oceanex. "What GIT brings to the table is a significant effort to help us achieve our sustainability goals across our fleet.”

Oceanex, together with original project partners Horizon Maritime Services Ltd, and Mitacs, will collaborate within the Smart Protective Coatings Project to help GIT introduce a new graphene-based nanotechnology to the global ocean economy through the development of revolutionary graphene-based protective coating products for vessels.

Baffin Fisheries is committed to maximising economic benefits for Nunavut, while ensuring a sustainable, healthy fishery and biosphere for all future generations. Baffin Fisheries currently owns and operates two factory freezer trawlers and one factory freezer gillnetter. Their corporate office is in Iqaluit with operational offices in Paradise, Newfoundland, Pangnirtung, and Pond Inlet.

"Through this project we will test and analyse reduction in fuel consumption, protection capabilities, and durability compared to current coatings,” said Chris Flanagan, CEO of Baffin Fisheries. "We are always looking for ways to make our fleet greener and we are excited to see the results of this project.”

Sma’knis Maritime Safety & Security Inc. operates patrol boats and crews that secure customer assets while they are anchored, alongside, or in transit in shipping lanes or while in port. They also conduct safety training for crews working around marine environments.

"For us, port security means you have to be agile and your vessels have to be at peak performance at all times,” said Adam Kennedy, President of Sma’knis Maritime Safety & Security Inc.. "Reducing marine growth and allowing us to maintain high speeds without added effort is critical to our success and XGIT-Fuel is the perfect solution to our optimal hull performance.”

"Oceanex, Baffin Fisheries, and Sma’knis are true leaders in the maritime sector and our team is excited to partner with them on this project and future efforts,” said Mo AlGermozi, Chief Executive Officer of GIT. "Our technology is Canadian made and it is cost effective for ship operators, it is nice to see leading Canadian companies working towards a common sustainable goal.”

"It’s important for our collective well being that we strengthen ocean collaboration and have first nations voices at the forefront of these efforts,” added AlGermozi. "We are proud to expand work with indigenous-led organisations like Sma’knis and Baffin Fisheries to achieve shared sustainability goals.”

GIT’s XGIT™ product line provide several advantages to marine industries including reduced fuel consumption for vessels, non-toxic protection and reduced underwater radiant noise.

The impact resulting from this exciting project is expected to be a game-changing outcome for the global ocean community.

In total, nine vessels across a range of classes are participating in the Smart Projective Coatings Project. These include RoRo, Tender-Icebreaking, Fishing Trawler, Ice Strengthened Tugs, Ice Strength Tug class vessels.

Lloyd’s Register (LR), a global professional services organisation specialising in engineering and technology solutions that improve the safety and performance of complex, critical infrastructure, and supply chains, will continue to oversee and provide independent assessments of the impact of the coating impact on vessel performance.

Since joining the project, LR has delivered insights on GTI’s coatings performance through the independent assessment of underwater noise, fuel and GHG emissions, as well as undertaking regular surveys of vessels and, providing general advisory services.

"The Lloyd’s Register team looks forward to working with the new partners on the GIT-led Smart Protective Coatings project. The addition of these organisations will help us gain further insights about the use of GIT’s marine coatings, which will ultimately help to improve efficiency and reduce vessel emissions,” said Kevin Humphreys, Lloyd’s Register Marine and Offshore President, Americas.

As Canada’s leading protective coatings company, GIT is focused on using nanomaterial technologies to deliver solutions for a wide range of applications. The smart coating technologies aim to tackle and solve complex issues by being part of the solution, with the end goal of helping address environmental impacts and saving money for the shipping industry.

Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)

An additional external force taking shape in the maritime transportation sector is the upcoming Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI). The IMO has set a target of reducing carbon intensity by 40% by 2030. And by 2050, this reduction target increases to 70%. This is part of its Greenhouse Gas Strategy, which has an overall ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050. This means that vessels need to significantly reduce their output of carbon dioxide. In the short term, there will need to be significant increases in vessel efficiency. In the longer term a move from fossil fuels to alternative fuels and zero carbon emitting vessels will be needed.

GIT’s XGIT™ product line – a family of patented, low-friction, biocide-free marine coatings – is uniquely positioned to be an attractive tool set for vessel operators who are racing to lower their carbon footprint and boost fuel efficiency, as the Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) comes into effect.

GIT is partnering with vessel operators to unlock fuel savings and helping them reach EEXI targets along the way to achieving IMO compliance. For more information on GIT’s unique opportunity with EEXI, please visit www.grapheneenteprise.ca/eexi