Expanded use of zinc-rich coating follows positive in-service performance and reduced maintenance costs.
Steelpaint has completed the application of its Stelpant corrosion-protection system on Min Hua 17, the latest newbuilding for Xiamen Minhua Shipping, as the vessel approaches delivery after the Lunar New Year.
The 12,000 dwt multi-purpose cargo ship is the fourth vessel in the owner’s fleet to be coated with Steelpaint’s polyurethane-based zinc-rich primer, following Min Hua 9, Min Hua 15 and Min Hua 16. All four vessels were constructed at Fujian Donghai Shipyard.
After the successful application in the cargo holds of Min Hua 9, delivered in 2024, the ship manager expanded the coating specification on subsequent vessels to include cargo holds, hatch covers and the main deck.
“We initially specified Steelpaint to assess how the coating would perform in service. What we observed was that the zinc primer remains intact even when the topcoat is mechanically damaged, continuing to protect the steel from corrosion. This has allowed the crew to manage maintenance more efficiently, without repeated full-area touch-ups, reducing maintenance costs by around 50% compared with other coating systems,” has stated Li Jianbin, General Manager of Xiamen Minhua Shipping.
Operational feedback was also gathered during an inspection of Min Hua 15 after one year of service carrying coal, general cargo and containers. Li Yinlong, head of Steelpaint’s operations in China, attended the inspection during a scheduled port stay in Lianyungang.
“The vessel had been trading normally throughout the year. During the inspection, the chief officer confirmed he was satisfied with the coating’s condition. Routine maintenance had been reduced, and repeated purchases of paint for touch-up work were no longer necessary,” has added Li Jianbin.
Across the series, tank tops and lower stools and hoppers are protected by two 80µm coats of Stelpant-PU-Zinc primer, followed by a 120µm application of a conventional epoxy topcoat. Other areas required only a single coat of the Stelpant primer.
Thanks to its high-solids formulation and finely meshed zinc pigments, Stelpant-PU-Zinc can be applied in temperatures from –5°C to +50°C and at relative humidity levels of up to 98%.
“Performance should be evaluated under real trading conditions. The expansion of protected areas on each successive vessel demonstrates that the owner can clearly see and quantify the benefits. For multi-purpose vessels, where coating damage is inevitable, maintaining primer integrity is critical to safety and service life,” has concluded Steelpaint Director Frank Müller.
Xiamen Minhua Shipping has confirmed that Stelpant will also be specified for a new series of 12,000 dwt and 17,000 dwt multi-purpose cargo newbuildings. In addition, two other Chinese bulk carrier operators are currently trialling the corrosion-protection system.