Applying high-performance silicone hull coatings during the newbuild phase has historically been challenging, due to the atmospheric conditions the hull is exposed to during construction. Therefore, the industry lacked a silicone solution tailored for application during shipbuilding, allowing shipowners and operators to benefit from peak performance as soon as the vessel hits the water.

Hempel’s Hempaguard NB is a silicone hull coating engineered specifically for newbuilds. It combines proven fuel-saving technology with a topcoat designed to withstand open-atmosphere shipyard conditions. This enables shipyards to apply a silicone coating during construction, eliminating the need for pre- or post-delivery dry-docking. The result is a fully efficient vessel from the moment it hits the water, supporting long-term performance and compliance while offering shipyards a competitive edge.

The coating delivers full silicone benefits, with up to 20% in fuel savings, 1.2% in average speed loss, and up to 120 fouling-free idle days, compared to conventional antifoulings typically applied during construction. This helps shipowners cut emissions, ensure regulatory compliance, and reduce lifecycle costs. At the same time, shipyards offering this application can meet the growing demand from shipowners by delivering more efficient vessels out of dock while minimising complexity for shipowners.