GIT Coatings has received type approval and technical assurance from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for its graphene-based foul-release hull coating, XGIT-Force, in a development the Canada-based developer says marks a significant step towards wider commercial adoption of non-biocide hull protection.
The approval confirms that LR has independently assessed the coating’s concept and design against technical requirements and that it is compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships.
The certification provides a verifiable technical foundation for shipowners and operations considering the coating for their fleets.
As IMO decarbonisation targets and carbon-intensity regulations tighten, hull coating and maintenance strategies have become a sharper focus for those looking to reduce operating costs and comply with upcoming regulations.
Heather Hughes, team leader for non-metallics and coating materials at Lloyd’s Register, explains: “Shipowners are increasingly focusing on hull performance as part of their strategy to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and improve vessel efficiency. Through initiatives such as this, Lloyd’s Register continues to work with technology developers like GIT Coatings and shipowners to assess emerging innovations and support their safe and effective introduction into the global fleet.”
XGIT-Force is a hard foul-release coating engineered to create a smooth, durable hull surface resistant to marine fouling without relying on biocidal active ingredients. Its hard coat formulation is designed to support regular underwater inspection and in-water cleaning.
The approval represents an early validation stage within Lloyd’s Register antifouling assurance framework, a technical foundation for further assessments. The process follows the route established by GIT Coatings earlier product, which in 2024 became the first hull coating to receive the register’s enhanced antifouling type approval.
Mo AlGermozi, CEO of GIT Coatings, adds: “Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register is a powerful validation of our graphene-based coating technology and the disciplined development behind it. Following the same pathway that led to enhanced type approval for XGIT-Fuel, XGIT-Force brings shipowners a proven solution capable of unlocking up to 10 per cent fuel savings – delivering exceptional commercial value and operational efficiency needed in today’s markets.”
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