Hempel Launches First Silicone Hull Coating for Newbuildings

Hempel announces the launch of Hempaguard NB, a high-performance silicone hull coating designed specifically for newbuildings, further expanding its market-leading Hempaguard range. This marks a new step in innovation for hull coatings, enabling shipowners and shipyards to gain fuel savings and antifouling protection during the construction phase.

Until now, applying advanced silicone coatings during newbuilding has presented logistical challenges for shipowners. Traditional silicone solutions require a controlled environment and are typically carried out in dry dock before or after delivery, both of which can lead to delays and additional costs.

This product combines the superior performance of Hempaguard X7 with a new silicone topcoat designed specifically for newbuildings. It has the same performance as Hempaguard X7, has been applied nearly 5,000 times, and has been independently verified to deliver fuel savings and decarbonization benefits. Shipowners can expect fuel savings of up to 20%, average speed loss of just 1.2%, and achieve 120 days of non-fouling downtime.

This not only brings premium performance out of the box to customers, but also long-term assets in terms of improved operational efficiency and regulatory compliance, unlocking the full potential of silicone coatings for new vessels and providing a competitive advantage to shipyards.