Japanese liner Mitsui OSK Lines said it has developed an antifouling paint to improve vessel fuel efficiency.

The paint is expected to reduce wind and wave resistance. The drag of seawater over a vessel’s wet surface accounts for 50% to 80% of all resistance, including wind and wave resistance, the company said.

The paint is also expected to lower CO2 emissions by 8% to 12%, compared to the conventional antifouling paints, MOL said.

MOL, Nippon Paint and Nippon Paint Marine Coatings are jointly promoting research and development on high-performance antifouling paints that improve vessels fuel efficiency.