Vessel efficiency and decarbonization are among the important trends that marine coatings leaders are seeing.
Ariana Psomas, PPG global segment director marine drydock and new build, said that one of the biggest changes PPG is seeing involves a move to a more holistic approach to vessel efficiency.
“Rather than considering coatings, application, maintenance, and digital tools separately, we connect them across the vessel lifecycle,” said Psomas. “At PPG, we call this our 360-degree approach to vessel efficiency. It starts with the hull. Premium hull technologies such as PPG SIGMAGLIDE and PPG NEXEON coatings help maintain a smoother, cleaner hull and reduce the energy required to move a vessel through the water compared to traditional fouling release coatings.
“We then look at how shipyards apply those coatings. Electrostatic spray application, or ESTA, improves transfer efficiency, helping reduce overspray and waste and improve application efficiency in the shipyard,” added Psomas. “Once the vessel enters service, the focus shifts to simpler onboard maintenance.”
Marine coatings market in 2026
Industry leaders note that the marine coatings market continues to be strong. Psomas reported that the marine coatings market continues to see strong growth.
“Regulatory pressures, greater environmental responsibility and the need to improve operational efficiency accelerate demand for advanced fouling control coatings and more sustainable application technologies,” Psomas pointed out. “At the same time, owners continue to invest in decarbonization-driven retrofits to extend the operating life and improve the efficiency of existing vessels. Owners now include low-friction hull coatings, hull optimization and energy-saving technologies in planned drydocking scopes.
Psomas observed that this shift changes the role of coatings.
“Owners no longer view coatings simply as a way to protect the vessel,” said Psomas. “Instead, they see them as part of a broader strategy for decarbonization and vessel efficiency. As a result, our role also evolves. We partner with customers to help improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and maximize asset performance.
“That focus on efficiency extends to onboard maintenance,” Psomas noted. “We see growth in the seastock segment, where owners and operators seek to simplify onboard maintenance, reduce complexity and improve sustainability. Solutions such as the PPG ONE RANGE portfolio address these priorities, making everyday onboard coatings maintenance easier and
more efficient.”
Keeping up with environmental regulations
“Shipowners now look beyond compliance,” Psomas noted. “They want solutions that can demonstrate improvements in efficiency and emissions while also strengthening the operational and commercial performance of their vessels.
“This focus strengthens the need for independent validation and collaboration across the maritime industry,” added Psomas. “For example, RightShip has recognized PPG Sigmaglide 2390 and PPG Nexeon 810 coatings as verified Energy Efficiency Technologies that can improve GHG Ratings. Customers have since achieved verified rating improvements after retrofitting their hulls with the coatings.”
Originally published in Coatings World. Click here to read the full story.