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The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected coatings specialist International Paint to use its latest 'fuel saving' technology, Intersleek 900, for the hull of the UK Navy’s flagship ‘HMS Ark Royal’.

She is the latest UK MoD vessel to benefit from Intersleek foul release coatings which aim to cut fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

As part of the Ark Royal’s Contractor Support Period at Portsmouth Naval Dockyard in the UK, the 20,600 ton Invincible Class aircraft carrier has had her underwater hull coated with the company's premium fluoropolymer foul release coating, a move estimated to cut fuel costs by as much as 9% and reduce the 1985 built vessel’s emissions by a similar margin.

Since Intersleek 700 was applied to the hull of the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland in January 2005, no fewer than 18 UK Navy vessels have been coated with Intersleek foul release systems. Intersleek 700 has been applied to the hulls of four frigates and three recently built Type 45 destroyers whilst Intersleek 900 has been applied to a range of naval vessels including a Type 42 destroyer, six minesweepers, three new T45 destroyers, a helicopter carrier, a landing ship and a frigate.

“We are delighted that the Ministry of Defence has chosen the latest generation hull coating, Intersleek 900, for HMS Ark Royal”, said Matthew Goodall, International Paint’s UK Navy account manager.

“We already supply Intersleek 900 to a number of world navies which have confirmed substantial fuel savings, cuts in emissions and other in-service performance benefits. HMS Ark Royal is an icon and deserves the very best in coatings technology”.

Paul Scantlebury, Product Support Manager for BVT stated, “Foul release technology is a huge stride forward for underwater painting processes; it provides considerable cost savings over its life expectancy in both fuel and future docking plans."