Beyond Antifouling — How Coatings Drive Efficiency and Sustainability

Hull coatings are no longer just about protection. They have become an important lever for fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and limiting shipping’s impact on the marine environment.

In this episode of Future Bound, learn how coating technology has evolved to meet rising demands on performance, sustainability, and asset longevity. Drawing on a long-standing collaboration between Hempel and Klaveness, the conversation explores how silicone-based coatings, such as Hempaguard, move from lab to vessel, and what it takes to scale them in a conservative industry.

Together, they explore how owners and suppliers work together to test and validate performance at sea, why total cost of ownership matters more than upfront cost, and how environmental considerations, from fuel efficiency to biodiversity, are reshaping coating design and application.

Discussion points include:

• Why hull coatings matter more than ever for fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and long-term asset performance.

• How to balance energy efficiency with environmental impact, including biocides, microplastics, and biodiversity considerations.

• What it takes to introduce new coating technologies in a conservative industry, from shipyards to regulators.

• How collaboration with KCC goes beyond hull coatings, addressing the unique demands of specialized cargo holds carrying both wet and dry cargoes.

• How data, AI, and new application technologies are changing the way coatings are developed, tested, and applied.

• What coating innovation means for KCC’s strategy: long-term ownership, specialized vessels, and operating an efficient fleet over decades.