AQUATERRAS Coating Cuts Fuel Costs on AIDAdiva

The bow of an AIDA cruise ship showing its painted lips design
Corporate News Cruise Industry
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Updated Published

Nippon Paint Marine has reported that applying its AQUATERRAS polymer technology to the AIDAdiva has delivered significant savings by eliminating the need for in-water hull cleaning for more than three years.

John Drew, Director at Nippon Paint Marine Europe, told Cruise Industry News that the patented design, supported by a hydrolysis-based self-polishing mechanism, improves hull smoothness over time, resulting in reduced fuel use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our team of experts has a detailed understanding of the challenging itineraries that cruise vessels must operate under, often spending extended periods within regions in which the impact of biofouling is keenly felt, as well as managing stakeholder pressure from consumers where sustainability is a priority,” Drew said.

Adapting to Industry Demands

Drew noted that the cruise sector is facing an increasingly strict regulatory environment focused on cutting carbon emissions and improving sustainability.

“Our clients are focused on balancing the need to mitigate emissions from their fleets through enhanced operational efficiencies and the integration of clean technologies while remaining commercially competitive,” he explained.

To address these challenges, AQUATERRAS was developed using a blend of hydrophilic and hydrophobic micro-domains to prevent marine growth from adhering to hull surfaces.

The coating, Drew said, results in just a 1 percent speed loss over 60 months, compared to the industry average of 5.9 percent, enabling fuel savings of up to 14.7 percent and related emissions reductions.

“Hull performance directly affects both operating costs and environmental impact, so maintaining a clean hull across such varied conditions is critical,” he added. “AQUATERRAS has demonstrated its ability to meet these challenges.”

Drew highlighted the AIDAdiva as an example: since its application in 2022, the ship has operated for three years without requiring in-water cleaning, keeping its vertical bottom free of fouling despite service in high-biofouling areas like the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Alongside fuel efficiency, the coating’s biocide-free formula eliminates environmental risks tied to conventional hull paints. Suitable for both drydocking and newbuilds, AQUATERRAS can be applied at any shipyard without specialized equipment.