Advanced Marine Coatings and Predictive Data: Essential for Shipowners Facing CII Challenges
2025 is a watershed year for the global maritime industry. Fuel EU has now come into effect, and the EU Emissions Trade System (EU ETS) has expanded, adding further considerations for vessel owners and operators as they work to keep their fleets efficient and compliant.
Last year, a record number of customers sought support in selecting the right underwater hull schemes to aid CII compliance, highlighting the growing demand for tailored solutions from International® Marine Coatings.
Specifically, there has been an increase in the use of Intertrac® digital tools which allow International’s hull performance experts to tailor coating schemes based on actionable insights, customized to the needs of each vessel and fleet.
Under the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulation, vessels are rated A to E with A being the best and E the worst. The regulation is part of the IMO’s drive to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
CII Ratings: The Challenge for Shipowners
According to a report by Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network:
- 5,836 vessels (23% of the global fleet) were rated D, giving them three years to improve emissions or risk being taken out of service.
- 1,109 vessels (4%) received an E rating, meaning they have just 12 months to become compliant or face decommissioning.
- Shipowners whose vessels are rated D for three consecutive years or E for one year must submit a corrective action plan.
How International® Marine Coatings Supports Shipowners
To support shipowners and operators in navigating these challenges, International® introduced Intertrac Vision, the industry’s first marine coatings and forecasting tool. The tool has been further enhanced to predict how a vessel will be classified under CII and provide insight into how to improve its rating.
Intertrac Vision helps shipowners by:
- Assessing the impact of fouling control coatings on vessel fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
- Providing insights into total cost of ownership and extended dry docking cycles.
- Allowing data-driven investment decisions to improve efficiency and compliance.
However, coatings and technology alone are not enough. Shipowners also need expert guidance, predictive insights, and tailored solutions to ensure the best outcomes.
Proven Performance: Intertrac Vision & Intercept® 8500 LPP
A recently published International® whitepaper demonstrated the high accuracy of Intertrac Vision, alongside the performance benefits of Intercept® 8500 LPP coatings. The study projected a 1.4% speed loss over 60 months, which closely aligned with actual vessel performance.
Furthermore, applying Intercept 8500 LPP resulted in an estimated reduction of 8,500 tonnes of carbon emissions over five years. The vessel also maintained a CII A rating throughout, helping the customer meet both performance and decarbonization targets.
Expert Insight: The Urgency of Compliance
Dr. Barry Kidd, Vessel Performance Manager at AkzoNobel, emphasized the urgency of compliance:
“Vessels rated D for three consecutive years or E for one year must submit a corrective action plan and improve their rating—or risk being taken out of service. The possibility of losing nearly a quarter of vessels from the global fleet is concerning and would create major disruption across the shipping industry. However, there are actions shipowners can take. Through our advanced coatings, expert hull performance team, and data-driven forecasting, we are uniquely positioned to help shipowners meet regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.”
Invitation to Learn More
To Learn more about Intertrac Vision and how it can empower informed decisions, reduce fuel consumption, and provide added flexibility for your vessel operations, download the Intertrac Vision Brochure and White Paper.