Hempel signs three-year hull coatings deal with Maersk for dry dockings

Hempel A/S has signed a three-year global hull coatings agreement with A.P. Moller – Maersk covering a substantial share of Maersk's 2026 to 2028 dry dock programme. The deal builds on more than a decade of collaboration and centres on Hempaguard silicone hull coatings, which have been applied more than 6,000 times since their 2013 launch. Hempel estimates these applications have helped marine customers avoid approximately 43.4 million tonnes of CO2 compared with conventional coating benchmarks.

Key facts

Market context

Hull coatings protect ship hulls from biofouling, the buildup of algae, barnacles and other organisms that increases drag and fuel burn. Silicone-based fouling-control systems are valued because their low-surface-energy films let growth release more easily, which can help a vessel keep a cleaner hull between maintenance intervals. Demand for these products is driven mainly by the global merchant fleet, particularly container lines and bulk carriers that schedule periodic dry dockings for repainting. Fuel costs and tightening emissions rules have pushed owners to weigh coating performance more heavily, since a smoother hull directly lowers fuel consumption. Long-term supply agreements with large fleet operators give coatings suppliers more predictable volumes and help them plan raw material purchasing and production scheduling. Competitors in marine coatings typically respond with their own fouling-control offerings, so multi-year fleet contracts are an important way for suppliers to defend share.

Source: official release on hempel.com. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.