Hempel wins Shipping Efficiency 2014 award

Hempaguard, a ground-breaking hull coating concept from Danish coatings manufacturer Hempel, has won Shipping Efficiency’s prestigious Environmental Technology award. Presented at the beginning of October in London, the award is an endorsement of a technology that “makes a significant contribution to environmental impact reduction or prevention to ships.”

Judges on the panel included Jan Otto de Kat, ABS director of energy efficiency, and Peter Hinchliffe, the secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping and International Shipping Federation.

Hempel’s Hempaguard was launched in 2013 and has shown an outstanding resistance to fouling during idle periods, significant fuel savings and is providing ship owners with trading flexibility. The coating was over five years in development and was introduced to the shipping industry against a backdrop of rising bunkering costs, tightening environmental regulations and the introduction of mandatory ship energy efficiency management plans (SEEMP).

Hempaguard is based on Hempel’s patented ActiGuard technology.  ActiGuard integrates silicone-hydrogel and full diffusion control of biocides in a single coating. Surface retention of the biocide activates the hydrogel, which effectively holds fouling organisms at bay, cutting friction to a minimum while utilising a minimum amount of biocide. It also has the long-term stability and mechanical properties required of a durable solution.

Claes Skat-Rørdam, fouling control manager said, “We are proud and delighted that Hempaguard has been recognised by the expert judges on the Shipping Efficiency Award panel as an environmental leader. Hempaguard is a completely new technology that combines the best of both worlds: the smooth, fuel-efficient surface from silicone coatings and the durable protection against fouling known from antifoulings.”

Claes continued, “However, what is most remarkable about Hempaguard is that it releases 95% less biocide than traditional antifoulings and yet, it still has a significantly better performance. Hempaguard enables our customers to improve their efficiency at sea, while reducing the impact on the environment. Apart from the fuel efficiency benefits of using Hempaguard, it also allows operators up to 120 days idle.”

Catherine Austin, director of strategy at Fathom and award organiser said, “We are absolutely delighted with the response the Ship Efficiency Awards has received from the maritime community, who have enthusiastically taken it on board, this is proven through the breadth and depth of nominations we received from the world over. It’s truly fantastic to be a part of it.”

Hempaguard shows excellent fouling resistance for up to 120 days during idle periods and fuel savings of six per cent on average over a full docking interval.

For more information please visit Hempel

Superyacht News
March 28, 2024
Tried & Tested - Best Yacht Mattresses: Product Review
Tried & Tested - Best Yacht Mattresses: Product Review

In the realm of maritime luxury, the quest to offer yacht charter guests the perfect night's sleep has become an art form, one which luxury bed and linen supplier, CC Design, has fully committed to.

By Ben Cooling
March 15, 2023
Best Yacht Crew Jackets: Product Review
Best Yacht Crew Jackets: Product Review

A jacket completes any crew member's uniform so it's an important garment to get right. In this Tried & Tested, Sea Design pits eight popular jackets against one another to determine which one is best for superyacht crew in 2023.

By Nathan Bees
April 19, 2023
iAQUA Sea Scooters: Product Review
iAQUA Sea Scooters: Product Review

iAQUA creates high-performance, technologically advanced underwater scooters. In this Tried & Tested, a team of experienced testers have rated and reviewed the AquaDart Pro and AquaDart Nano series to reveal the stand-out iAQUA sea scooter.

By Holly Sanderson

Finished reading? Now find your perfect supplier.

Search our industry-leading directory for over 20,000 superyacht suppliers, providers and marinas.

Search now