Hull coating is a capital investment. Most companies account for it as a cost.
That framing changes everything: how it's evaluated, how it's approved and how much value it delivers. The companies that treat hull coating as a capital decision — with a modelled return — are getting a 10-year NPV of +$1,323,524 per vessel.
SEA-SPEED V 10 X ULTRA — one application, 10-year warranted system. 678% ROI over a decade. 1.5-year payback. Zero biocide regulatory exposure. IRR 69%.
The 10-year capital model.
One application covers coating cost, primer, application and all underwater maintenance for 10 years. The model below reflects fuel savings at 7% average, one avoided recoat cycle and standard IFO 380 pricing.
Illustrative per-vessel model. We will prepare a fleet-specific analysis — no cost, no obligation.
Three decisions most shipping companies are getting wrong.
The financial argument for Sea-Speed is strong. But the strategic argument is stronger.
"Biocide antifouling has no regulatory risk on a 10-year horizon."
EU, US EPA and Pacific port states are actively reviewing copper antifouling. Sea-Speed has zero biocide regulatory exposure — for the next decade.
"Hull coating is a maintenance cost — not a capital allocation decision."
With 10-year NPV +$1.3M, IRR 69% and 1.5-year payback, this is a capital investment — one of the highest-return decisions in fleet management.
"Sea-Speed is a new technology — we'll wait for it to be more established."
400+ US Navy vessels, LR certified, Hurtigruten, TOTE. 25+ years in service. Waiting is the risk — not adopting.
Three categories of value in one decision.
Fuel & operating cost
4–12% fuel saving — verified across Ro-Ro, container, tanker and cruise. Maintained throughout the 10-year service life through regular underwater grooming, not year-one-only.
Drydock cost avoidance
One application, 10-year warranted system. One avoided recoat cycle at drydock. Fewer unplanned haul-outs. Drydock scheduled on your terms — not around a coating that's running out.
Regulatory & CII optionality
17% CII improvement verified. Zero biocide exposure on a tightening regulatory horizon. EU ETS, IMO CII, EEXI — Sea-Speed improves your position across all three, simultaneously.
The biocide question — and why it's a balance-sheet issue.
Copper and zinc-based antifouling are under active regulatory review in multiple jurisdictions. A change in port state requirements on a 10-year vessel maintenance horizon is not a remote risk — it is a planning assumption.
European Union
EU Biocidal Products Regulation is under active review. Restrictions on copper-based antifouling are under evaluation in multiple EU member states. The direction of travel is clearly towards tighter controls.
United States EPA
US EPA has previously acted to restrict TBT and is monitoring copper antifouling under its Vessel Incidental Discharge Act framework. West Coast port states have already applied stricter local requirements.
Pacific Port States
New Zealand, Australia and several Pacific island states have existing or proposed restrictions on copper antifouling in ports and anchorage areas. Vessels trading these routes carry measurable regulatory exposure.
Sea-Speed V 10 X Ultra contains zero biocides. Regulatory exposure: none.
What management needs to know about the technology.
Sea-Speed V 10 X Ultra is a hard-film Silane-Siloxane foul release coating. It is not an improved antifouling — it is a different mechanism entirely.
- One application lasts 10 years — warranted by the manufacturer
- Zero biocides — no TBT, no copper, no zinc. Globally compliant.
- 1,000+ underwater grooming cycles without film loss
- Lloyd's Register independently verified all performance claims
- In service on 400+ US Navy vessels since 2001
- 17% CII improvement verified on commercial vessel in year one
- UK Royal Navy Type 26 Frigates — HMS Glasgow, HMS Cardiff
How to evaluate this investment.
We recommend a four-point evaluation framework:
Results from the operators who made this decision.
We are seeing 2–3% decrease in consumption at 21 knots and a 5–7% improvement at 15–17 knots. This equates to a 17% improvement in our Carbon Intensity Index between 2021 and 2022.Joey HalversonDirector of Ship Management, TOTE Services LLC — December 2022
Sea-Speed V 10 X ULTRA exceeds environmental regulations globally for all types of vessels. The technology is highly advanced from both a technical and functional viewpoint. It has a phenomenal future in the maritime industry.Graham PerkinsTechnical Marine Consultant — former Senior Technical Project Manager, INCAT
The data behind the investment case.
| Vessel Type | Fuel Saving | Speed Range | CII Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ro-Ro Container | 7.0% | 15–17 knots | 17.0% |
| Ro-Ro Container | 3.0% | 21 knots | — |
| Ro-Ro Container | 7.3% | 15–17 knots | 17.4% |
| Research Vessel | 8.6% | 13–14 knots | — |
| Container Feeder | 8.5% | 13–14 knots | — |
| Product Tanker | >9.1% | 12–13 knots | — |
| Product Tanker | 7.3% | — | — |
| Expedition Cruise Ship | +10% speed | — | — |
SepcoTech A/S — Baltic Region & Norway.
We will prepare a complete fleet ROI analysis — vessel-specific NPV, IRR, payback, fuel saving projection and CO₂ model — at no cost and no obligation. Every enquiry handled personally by Jan Taudal.
We are not a multinational paint company. We are a focused specialist who understands that hull coating decisions are made at management level — and we engage at that level.
Request Fleet ROI Analysis
We will model the investment return for your fleet — vessel-specific, at no cost.