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Caribbean

Pilot projects

Tugboat Antifouling Pilot for GHG Reduction in Trinidad and Tobago

Beneficiary Country: Trinidad and Tobago

The pilot project involves the application of new antifouling coating solutions to assess their effectiveness in improving tugboat performance and reducing fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Tugboats operating in coastal environments are particularly susceptible to hull fouling due to their shallow draughts, low-speed operations, prolonged stationary periods, and local water conditions.

By limiting the build-up of marine organisms on vessel hulls, the initiative aims to maintain operational efficiency, reduce the GHG footprint of coastal tugboat operations, and support vessel performance and longevity. The pilot also offers an opportunity to assess the potential for wider adoption across tugboat fleets, with anticipated GHG emissions reductions of up to 10% per participating vessel, subject to successful implementation.