Bunker-Saving Hempaguard X7 Applied to Silversea Newbuild

Hempel has delivered Hempaguard X7 to the 40,700 GT newbuild vessel, Silver Muse. Image: Silversea

Hempel A/S (Hempel) says has delivered its bunker-saving hull coating Hempaguard X7 to Silversea Cruises' (Silversea's) 40,700 GT newbuild vessel, Silver Muse.

"At Silversea we are fully committed to operating in the most efficient way and with minimal impact on the marine environment. Hempaguard not only promises to deliver impressive fuel savings which will help us contain our costs, but it also will incredibly help us to reduce CO2 emissions," said Roberto Martinoli, CEO of Silversea.

"We are honoured that Silver Muse was awarded the RINA GREEN PLUS voluntary notation, which is based on an environmental performance index that covers all aspects of the vessel’s impact on the environment, including carbon emissions."

Silversea is said to have selected the Hempel coating in the context of a "highly competitive" cruise industry where pressure to improve operational efficiency is growing alongside tightening environmental regulations.

"Silver Muse will be trading mainly in the warm waters of the Mediterranean which tend to encourage fouling. Cruise ships operate unique trading patterns which involve a combination of slow and fast steaming as well as regular periods alongside," said Kim Scheibel, Group Director for Marine/Container, New Building at Hempel.

"An effective hull coating must be trusted to deliver flexible protection. Hempaguard provides proven outstanding resistance to fouling during idle periods of up to 120 days and retains its effectiveness at all passage speeds."

In November, Hempel said Italy-based Grimaldi Group (Grimaldi) had gleaned "significant" reductions in its bunker bill from the application of Hempel's Hempaguard X7 and Hempasil X3 silicone hull coatings on more than 30 vessels since 2011.