AkzoNobel named as official supplier to the Volvo Ocean Race Boatyard

by Volvo Ocean Race on 29 May 2017 AkzoNobel will be the official coatings supplier to the Volvo Ocean Race Boatyard in 2017-18, after signing a deal to ensure that the fleet of Volvo Ocean 65 racing yachts will be coated with the company’s International and Awlgrip range of products.

The competing boats – including team AkzoNobel’s brand new Volvo Ocean 65 – have already been coated with Awlgrip products, while the keel on each boat is protected with International coatings.

“As the world’s leading supplier of marine and yacht coatings, we’re delighted to be partnering with the Volvo Ocean Race as an official Boatyard supplier,” said Alberto Slikta, Managing Director AkzoNobel’s Specialty Coatings business.

“The race is the ultimate test of performance and, given our long association with the sea, it’s the perfect showcase for the company’s market-leading products.”

The boats that competed in the 2014-15 edition have been through a million-euros-per-boat refit process at The Boatyard shared service centre in Lisbon. Team AkzoNobel’s newly built Volvo Ocean 65 has also received its final fitout at the Lisbon facility.

AkzoNobel has developed unique and eye-catching custom colours for every team in the race, and the partnership ensures that the boats will continue to look the part even as they race through the toughest oceans on the planet, thanks to expert aftercare service from AkzoNobel’s International yacht business.

The company will supply all coatings required for repairs and maintenance in each stopover, and will also provide technical expertise when required to supervise the application process in Host Cities around the world.

“We’re excited to be part of such a thrilling and captivating sporting event,” continued Collins. “It’s the kind of extreme test of high performance that our products are made for.”

The Volvo Ocean 65 fleet will leave Alicante in October 2017 and race around the world, taking in Lisbon, Cape Town, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Cardiff and Gothenburg, before the big finish in The Hague at the end of June 2018.