Global coatings supplier Hempel has launched Hempaguard, a groundbreaking new hull coating concept for the shipping industry which offers both outstanding resistance to fouling during idle periods and significant fuel savings.

The technology, dubbed ActiGuard, has been five years in development and is based on silicone-hydrogel and biocide science, said a statement from Hempel.

Hempaguard sets new standards, and is available as two separate products: Hempaguard X5 and Hempaguard X7, it stated.

"Hempel’s tests show excellent fouling resistance of up to 120 days during idle periods plus fuel savings of six per cent on average with Hempaguard. Hempel offers first performance satisfaction guarantee contract in the industry, it added.

Hempel is so convinced of Hempaguard‘s performance that it is offering a performance satisfaction guarantee contract for vessels complying with a full Hempaguard X7 specification, stated Torben Rasmussen, the group product manager of Hempel.

“If you are not satisfied for any reason using Hempel’s top tier product Hempaguard X7, Hempel will pay, under the performance satisfaction guarantee contract, for the conversion of Hempaguard back to conventional antifouling and with no questions asked,” he noted.

With rising bunkering costs, tightening environmental regulations and mandatory Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP), fleet operators turned to Hempel for a new hull coating that really could make a much-needed difference to their business.

According to Rasmussen,  Hempel scientists spent five years in developing and testing Hempel’s patented ActiGuard technology which effectively holds fouling organisms at bay, cutting friction to a minimum while utilizing a minimum amount of biocide.

It also has the long-term stability and mechanical properties required of a durable solution.

"The result is a unique fouling defence system – Hempaguard, which ensures excellent performance during long idle periods, plus remarkable fuel savings and flexibility. This is indeed groundbreaking and will provide significant advantages for fleet operators all over the world," explained Rasmussen.

“Our goal was to re-think the market. By introducing this concept and a performance satisfaction guarantee contract, that is precisely what we have done,” he added-TradeArabia News Service