Hull coatings are no longer just about protection. They have become an important lever for fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and limiting shipping’s impact on the marine environment.

In this episode of Future Bound, learn how coating technology has evolved to meet rising demands on performance, sustainability, and asset longevity. Drawing on a long-standing collaboration between Hempel and Klaveness, the conversation explores how silicone-based coatings, such as Hempaguard, move from lab to vessel, and what it takes to scale them in a conservative industry.

Together, they explore how owners and suppliers work together to test and validate performance at sea, why total cost of ownership matters more than upfront cost, and how environmental considerations, from fuel efficiency to biodiversity, are reshaping coating design and application.

Discussion points include:

• Why hull coatings matter more than ever for fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and long-term asset performance.

• How to balance energy efficiency with environmental impact, including biocides, microplastics, and biodiversity considerations.

• What it takes to introduce new coating technologies in a conservative industry, from shipyards to regulators.

• How collaboration with KCC goes beyond hull coatings, addressing the unique demands of specialized cargo holds carrying both wet and dry cargoes.

• How data, AI, and new application technologies are changing the way coatings are developed, tested, and applied.

• What coating innovation means for KCC’s strategy: long-term ownership, specialized vessels, and operating an efficient fleet over decades.

Courtesy of Njord Solutions podcast 'Seathrough Efficiency' , listen to their recent episode with Martin Wattum, Head of Energy Efficiency Projects a KCC, quizzed by Caroline Evert, Podcast Host and Business Project Manager, on how KCC is turning energy efficiency from a strategic priority into operational reality.

Discussion points include:

• How to assess and prioritize technologies

• How to handle risks around energy efficiency investments

• Why crew engagement often defines the success of retrofits

Listen now for a practical look at how KCC is aligning daily operations with long-term sustainability strategy.

As climate regulation continues to evolve, the spotlight often falls on shipowners to deliver on emission reductions. But what about the cargo owners? In this episode of Future Bound, KCC’s Head of Decarbonization, Peter Rayers, sits down with Ingrid Kylstad, Managing Director of Klaveness Digital, to unpack the evolving role of cargo owners in the push for greener shipping.

Together, they explore whether cargo owners are still in the driver’s seat when it comes to cutting emissions, and how they can influence real outcomes across the supply chain. The conversation covers how business model innovation, data-driven decision-making, and tools like the Sea Cargo Charter and KCC’s carbon-adjusted freight (CAF) setup are re-thinking commercial relationships between owners and charterers.

Discussion points include:

• Why scope 3 emissions still matter — and how cargo owners are acting on them

• How carbon tracking and reporting are entering commercial decision-making

• The importance of data quality and transparency for new business models

• How initiatives like KCC’s carbon-adjusted freight (CAF) setup and the Sea Cargo Charter are shaping owner-charterer collaboration