International claims success for coating technology

Designed to address the industry issues of predictability in antifouling performance – said to be something not seen since the days of TBT – and the issue of slime fouling on ships hulls, the two technologies, Intercept 8000 LPP and Intersleek 1100SR, were launched to improve vessel operating performance, increase efficiency and reduce fuel costs and emissions.

Since its launch, Intersleek1100SR has been applied to 52 vessels with 45 contracted and 27 under negotiation across all main classes, including container, cruise, LNG, ro-ro and tanker ships. Intercept 8000 LPP has been applied to 44 vessels with 10 contracted and a further 32 currently in the pipeline, and according to International has proved popular for container ships, said to prove the company’s expectation that this is the most eco-efficient product for this class.

Paul Robbins, marine marketing director at International Paint said: “The popularity of Intercept 8000 LPP and Intersleek 1100SR so soon after their launch reflects the growing awareness of the economic importance of underwater hull condition, driven by sustained high bunker prices, lack of liquidity in the market and increasing environmental regulation. Advanced hull coatings are the most widely used eco-efficiency technology within the shipping industry.”