JUNE 20, 2013 — The International Standards Organization is to establish an expert group to start work on a common industry standard for measurement of changes in hull and propeller performance.

The move has been welcomed by Sandefjord, Norway, headquartered coatings manufacturer Jotun. Over the next 6 to 12 months, the ISO expert group will produce a draft standard and Jotun has been asked to lead the work on the draft and will share its extensive experience and data within the area of hull and propeller performance.

Jotun has been working with the Bellona Foundation and Standards Norway to mobilize shipping industry stakeholders in an effort to reach general agreement on a method for measuring changes in hull and propeller performance. The Bellona Foundation is an international environmental NGO based in Norway and Standards Norway is the Norwegian national member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)

Jotun says that by improving hull and propeller performance, the world fleet can reduce fuel cost by as much as $30 billion per year and achieve an estimated 0.3 percent reduction in manmade GHG emissions. The main barrier to realizing this potential has been a lack of an accurate and reliable method for measuring hull and propeller performance over time.

In preparation for work on an International standard, Jotun has contributed to two proposals submitted by Bellona as a part of the Clean Shipping Coalition to IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). In cooperation with Bellona, Jotun has hosted two International workshops involving more than 40 experts representing relevant stakeholders. Finally, together with Standards Norway, Jotun has co-authored the New Work Item Proposal that has now been approved by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

"Broad stakeholder involvement from the start to the end of this process is absolutely critical," says Geir Axel Oftedahl, Business Development Director at Jotun Hull Performance Solutions. "Our objective is to win industry acceptance for a method for measuring changes in hull and propeller performance. To achieve this goal, we need to ensure that the standard delivers on the requirements and expectations of all relevant stakeholders."

"We are pleased to see that a number of other stakeholders have already agreed to contribute, and call on others with interests and capabilities within the area of hull and propeller performance to do the same," says Mr. Oftedahl. "If we are successful in reaching general agreement on a method for measuring hull and propeller performance, it will make a substantial contribution to the industry – and help align the interests of ship owners, charterers, ship builders and eco-technology providers such as Jotun."

Svend Søyland, Senior Advisor with the Bellona Foundation argues that identifying overlaps between cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions makes sense. "It is our firm belief that a transparent and reliable standard will enable a level playing field spurring innovation among all stakeholders," he says.