Swire Bulk has taken a significant step forward in its sustainability journey by applying Hempel's advanced Silicon X8 hull coating, a technology that improves fuel efficiency. The average fuel consumption for a dry bulk vessel voyage is highly variable, but can average between 16 and 40 metric tonnes (mt) per day depending on ship size or engine efficiency. Swire Bulk's active fleet typically consumes about 17mt per day while sailing, averaging around 200 sailing days per year, amounting to approximately 4,000mt annually. Though it is more expensive, silicon-based paint can potentially save up to 240mt of fuel and US$120,000 in costs annually. Despite the higher upfront costs, this technology has been deployed on both owned and chartered-in vessels, highlighting Swire Bulk's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.
