75TH ANNIVERSARY PROFILESHempel: Born in MaritimeAs Hempel approaches its 100th anniversary in 2015, Christian Ottosen, Group Marine Marketing Director, offers insights on the company’s initiatives and drivers. Here’s a hint: protecting ships at sea and protecting the environment.Hempel was created 99 years ago our new coating system HEMPA- Planning Aheadas a specialist marine paints provider. GUARD plays an important role in As an independent company with Its founder, JC Hempel, was the enabling shipowners to operate their almost 100 years’ experience in ma-? rst person to develop an antifouling vessels in a more environmentally rine coatings, Hempel is a leader in product for a ship’s hull. Although friendly way,” said Ottosen. “Tests its sector. The company continues to Hempel is now active in other paint show that on average that HEMPA- innovate and to bring new products sectors such as decorative and pro- GUARD reduces overall fuel use by to market through its 10 R&D facili-tective coatings, the company was six percent which not only saves ex- ties located across the globe.born and bred in the shipping and pensive and ? nite fossil fuel but also Ef? ciency and environment are the maritime industry, and 99 years reduces the amount of greenhouse two words ? rst off the lips of nearly later this remains at the heart of the gases emitted into the atmosphere. every shipowner, and in regards to company. Additionally, HEMPAGUARD main- a company such as Hempel this is a Today Hempel is a leading coat- tains its antifouling ef? ciency at both strategic advantage. ings supplier in multiple markets. slow and fast speeds and is equally “Delivering ef? ciency to shipown-From wind turbines and bridges effective during idling periods of up ers will be central to our activities to hospitals, ships, power stations to 120 days. This allows a vessel to next year and beyond,” said Ottosen. and homes, Hempel’s coatings are steam at its most fuel ef? cient speed. “Our hull coatings allow vessels to engineered to protect man-made HEMPAGUARD also releases 95% be more fuel ef? cient and to reduce structures from the corrosive forces of less biocide than traditional antifoul- their environmental impact. Our nature. Hempel owns, among other ing products. Taken together, the products can be applied quickly and companies, Crown Paints. bene? ts of HEMPAGUARD allow cargo loading can commence shortly “I believe that the launch of our new coating With a focus on R&D, advanced a shipowner to make a signi? cant after application so dry dock periods system HEMPAGUARD plays an important role production techniques and profes- improvement to its environmental are reduced. Further ef? ciency gains in enabling shipowners to operate their vessels sional coatings advice, the company footprint.” are generated through using our in a more environmentally friendly way.”works around the globe to help keep While 2014 was a year of develop- cargo hold coatings that lower main-its customers’ investments safe and ment to meet emerging environmen- tenance costs and reduce cleaning Christian Ottosen, attractive for the long haul. tal and fuel ef? ciency ends, Ottosen times between loads. Even our global Group Marine Marketing Director“Our working concept is simple: said that the industry largely remains arrangements for delivering and We are curious, creative and self- in recovery mode to this day. “The managing a vessel’s stock of sea paint critical, and we always aim to create earlier phase of vessel over-ordering reduces cost and handling times.”extra value for our customers,” said coupled with a global recession led to Central to Hempel’s future will Christian Ottosen, Group Marine too many ships chasing too few car- be the continued advancement of its Marketing Director. “Within the goes and the subsequent collapse of hull coatings with ? ve- to seven-marine sector we offer a range of freight rates. We are still recovering year drydocking intervals. “Our exceptionally high quality, certi? ed from that period, although I believe focus will be on improving the products including fouling release there is a glimmer of light at the end HEMPAGUARD technology and systems and antifouling; and special- of what has been a very long tunnel.” enabling this silicon-based coating ised coatings for ballast tanks, cargo While Ottosen sees some sectors to be applied at low temperatures,” holds, decks, topsides, superstruc- turning the corner, conventional said Ottosen. “This will give owners tures and vessel interiors. In addi- wisdom suggests that the levels of added ? exibility over where and at tion, we also supply certi? ed potable the over-in? ated markets before the what time of year the coating may water tank coatings. Through our crash of 2008 will never be hit again. be applied. We also plan to intro-network of 150 stock points, we can Rather, the expectation is a “new duce a new cargo hold coating with supply paints for on-board mainte- normal” of modest, but stable rates. a ? ve-year drydock interval. This nance through almost every port in But in the coatings market in par- will be more durable, faster to apply the world.” ticular, there is always a silver lining: and allow loading to commence “On the positive side for Hempel, more quickly after application.” For Looking Back the large numbers of vessels deliv- newbuilds, it will launch an exten-As is the case for many serving the ered between 2009 and 2011 are sive series of uni-primers with PSPC global maritime market, lessening beginning to fall due for their ? rst approval for water ballast tanks, and the impact of shipping on the natural drydocking,” said Ottosen. “This its products will be suitable for all environment is top of the agenda for means that activity for marine coat- shipbuilding processes and will use all quality shipowners. ings is buoyant and likely to remain ? ber technology to ensure less crack-“I believe that the launch of positive for some time.” ing and enhanced durability.www.marinelink.com 29MR #12 (26-31).indd 29 MR #12 (26-31).indd 29 12/2/2014 1:39:17 PM12/2/2014 1:39:17 PM