HEMPAGUARD®, a ground-breaking hull coating concept from Danish coatings manufacturer Hempel, has won Shipping Efficiency’s prestigious Environmental Technology award. Presented last week (2 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 ABS Director of Energy Efficiency, Jan Otto de Kat; and the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping & International Shipping Federation, Peter Hinchliffe.
Hempel’s HEMPAGUARD® was launched in 2013 and has shown an outstanding resistance to fouling during idle periods, significant fuel savings and is providing shipowners 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, says: “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.”
He added:
“However, what is most remarkable about HEMPAGUARD® is that it releases 95 per cent 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.”
Award organiser Fathom’s Director of Strategy, Catherine Austin 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.
Hempel offers a performance satisfaction guarantee contract for vessels complying with a full HEMPAGUARD® X7 specification (one of the two products in the HEMPAGUARD® series).
HEMPAGUARD® is also extremely flexible, covering all combinations of sailing routes and trading patterns. Unlike regular hull coatings that, in general, are specified according to the vessel’s speed and activity level, HEMPAGUARD® retains its effectiveness when switching between slow and fast steaming.
About Hempel
Hempel is a world-leading coatings supplier for the decorative, protective, marine, container and yacht markets. From wind turbines and bridges to hospitals, ships, power stations and homes, our coatings protect man-made structures from the corrosive forces of nature. Hempel owns, among other companies, Crown Paints. With a focus on R&D, advanced production techniques and professional coatings advice, we work around the globe to help keep our customers’ investments safe and attractive for a long time. Our working concept is simple: We are curious, creative and self-critical, and we always aim to create extra value for our customers.
About Ship Efficiency: The Awards
Ship Efficiency: The Awards recognise and celebrate the organisations and individuals within the maritime sector that are excelling in efficient operations, implementing fresh thinking, offering proven efficiency benefits and technological innovation.
These awards put the spotlight on those individuals and companies that have and are making a significant contribution and commitment to making operations more efficient and shaping the future of a greener, leaner more efficient industry.
The judging panel members:
Arsenio Dominguez – Chairman, MEPC
Peter Hinchliffe – Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping & International Shipping Federation
Martin Stopford – President, Clarksons Research Services
Craig Eason – Deputy Editor, Lloyd’s List
Minas Miliaras, Associate Vice President, Marine Operations, RCL Cruises Ltd
Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General/COO, BIMCO A/S
Jan Otto de Kat, Director of Energy Efficiency, ABS
Facts
Biocide
HEMPAGUARD® releases 95 per cent less biocide than a standard SPC (self-polishing co-polymer antifouling). Moreover, the biocide is retained on the surface, thus eliminating the need for polishing, as well as requiring only one coat compared to the two or three that are normally necessary for antifouling. The surface has the same smoothness as conventional biocide-free silicone-based fouling release coatings. Trials at sea and idle period tests over five years have demonstrated very high level of fouling prevention compared to standard SPC antifouling products.
Facts
Formulations / Product portfolio
HEMPAGUARD® is available in two formulations for docking intervals of 36 and 90 months and is recommended for all ship types whose owners wish to benefit from flexible trading, fuel savings and fouling defence at any speed or during idle periods.
Hempel continues to develop new products based on the ActiGuard® technology.
HEMPAGUARD® X5 offers sustained fouling defence for up to 36 months for any type of vessel with any trading pattern as well as for extended idle time.
– Efficient fouling prevention during the entire service interval.
– Based on Hempel’s patented ActiGuard® low-friction fusion technology.
– Combines the best from the hydrogel silicone and biocidal antifoulings.
– Documented performance and a long track record.
– Guaranteed fouling resistance for up to 60 idle days.
HEMPAGUARD® X7 offers up to 90 months of extremely efficient fouling defence for any type of vessel with any trading pattern as well as for extended idle time.
– Efficient fouling prevention during the entire service interval.
– Based on Hempel’s patented ActiGuard® low-friction fusion technology.
– Combines the best from the hydrogel silicone and biocidal antifoulings.
– Documented performance and a long track record.
– Guaranteed fouling resistance for up to 120 idle days.
Facts
Performance satisfaction guarantee contract
HEMPAGUARD® X7:
– Customer is the sole judge. He decides if he is satisfied, no questions asked.
– No monitoring needed.
– If not satisfied with HEMPAGUARD® X7 and decides within the first four years, HEMPEL will
pay the conversion from HEMPAGUARD® X7 to conventional HEMPEL A/F*.
– The satisfaction guarantee is offered for 60 months systems with HEMPAGUARD® X7 on full
blasted vessels.
*conditions are according to the final performance satisfaction guarantee contract.
