Larger than Life: Marine coating for Maritime industry

The maritime industry is a larger than life industry.  Built and commissioned vessels are becoming larger as the decades passes. To put in perspective, Very Large Crude Carriers (or VLCC’s) whose capacities can flood entire markets of crude oil can has an average capacity of about 2 million barrels of oil. Fully-occupied modern cruise ships can hold a more than 6,000 passengers at a time, which is about the whole population of Luba, Abra in the latest 2019 estimate. Box ships are now able to carry over 20,000 TEU’s of cargo. This industry will continue to evolve to support the commerce of the ever-changing insatiable need of man. Here we will discuss marine coatings specifically for trade vessels instead of passenger vessels like fast crafts, cruise ships, sail boats and powerboats. 

Marine Coating Systems according to Parts of a Ship

Fundamentally speaking, there are only two parts of a ship, the superstructure and the hull. Other than these two main structures, we will be discussing other parts of a vessel that has specific marine coatings requirement and different tanks onboard a vessel and the cargo area.

The Superstructure

The superstructure is the part of the ship that is above the deck. It is what is normally seen when a ship is out at sea. Typical superstructures are forecastle, bridge and poop deck. There are several kinds of decks but the marine coatings requirement for these areas are pretty similar.  Essentially, all traffic-able areas can be coated with an epoxy finish or enamel. It is also customary to cast some grit, like washed and properly graded sand, to improve traction for foot traffic. Horizontal surfaces can be coated with an epoxy, enamel, 1k acrylic or 2k acrylic. For the topcoat, or paint systems for new buildings, an anticorrosive primer is commonly used, a thickness range between 250 to 300 microns will suffice, then coated with a suitable topcoat, which can either be a coloured epoxy, enamel, 1k acrylic or 2k acrylic polyol.

For previously coated surfaces, an assessment of the existing coating should be made. The decision lies in the overall condition of the surface, the total thickness of previous coatings, the type of the previous marine coatings used, and the age of the previous coatings. 

The Chimney

This structure vents out the combustion products coming out from the engines.  They will have special mention in the specifying of marine coatings because they require heat resistant paint.  Usually a metallic paint resistant to about to at least 350 degrees Celsius is used in this area.  Metallic paints need to reach the ‘fusing’ temperatures to chemically bind the metallic pigments to the resin, otherwise, they easily erode away by the harsh conditions at sea. Other heat resistant technologies like silicones are also used in the chimney.

Neon Markings.

These are used by some for identification.  Often comes in aerosols.

What Chem On can offer

Chem On carry a range of protective marine coatings suitable for your industrial needs. Contact us now for more information!

Posted by Jasmine Ng