Marie Bakholdt Andersen, group product manager at Hempel, comments: ‘Traditionally, vessels with silicone coatings underwent a multi-phase maintenance procedure on touch-up and repair areas, which was a time-consuming process. With Nexus X-Tend, touching-up and repairing damaged areas can be carried out in fewer stages, saving shipping companies a significant amount in drydock expenses.’
According to a straw poll of over 200 shipowners conducted by Lindberg International for Hempel more shipping companies are using a mix of both fouling release and anti-fouling products for their fleets.
Nexus X-Tend is designed to give shipowners using Hempasil X3, for example, five more years of fuel savings in one procedure. ‘At the end of the coating’s service time, the vessel can get a fresh layer of Hempasil X3 in one fast procedure, giving five extra years of fuel savings and CO2 reductions,’ says Bakholdt Andersen. ‘This will benefit both the shipowners and the environment.’
