The agreement marks the beginning of a formal partnership between the German coatings manufacturer and the major Asian shipowner, significantly expanding Steelpaint’s presence in the region.
Steelpaint has secured its first order from Singapore-based Winning International Group to supply its advanced two-coat polyurethane-zinc (PU-zinc) coating system for the cargo holds of Winning Kindness, a 184,000 dwt capesize bulk carrier.
Under the contract, the coating will be applied during drydocking at a shipyard in Zhoushan (China), scheduled for September 2025. The protective system will be used on the tank top and the lower hopper/stool structure, specifically targeting a 2-metre area vulnerable to aggressive corrosion.
“This latest contract signals strong momentum for our corrosion resistant coatings across Asia. Owners are seeing the long-term value of switching to a system that not only reduces lifecycle costs but extends vessel service life. We’re proud to be part of that shift,” has stated Steelpaint Director Frank Müller.
Steelpaint will also supply onboard maintenance coats, allowing the crew of Winning Kindness to carry out touch-ups and preserve corrosion protection throughout the vessel’s operational life. The order follows a successful trial patch on Winning Rich, initiated after the shipowner’s superintendent observed the coating’s performance on another vessel during a drydocking at Shanhaiguan Shipyard.
“Vessels between 10 and 15 years old typically suffer thinning of tank top plating and if not addressed, can result in expensive steel renewal work. Our PU-zinc system offers reliable protection, especially in high-stress areas,” has commented Dmitry Gromilin, Chief Technical Supervisor at Steelpaint.
Shipboard testing and operational evaluations demonstrated that the Stelpant coating maintained its protective integrity after 17 months of exposure to high-impact cargo loading. This durability enables extended maintenance intervals of up to 2.5 years and offers potential savings of around US$4.5 million per vessel over its lifespan due to reduced steel renewal costs.
With a number of ageing capesize vessels in its fleet, Winning is expected to closely monitor the coating’s performance with a view to possible wider adoption. This is the second contract Steelpaint has signed with Singapore-based operators in recent months. In April, the company was awarded a deal by one of the world’s largest bulk carrier owners to supply Stelpant to an initial 20 dry bulk vessels.
“With demand for dry bulk tonnage holding strong and shipyard slots at a premium, owners are increasingly turning to coatings that deliver reliable protection and reduce time out of service. Over the past few years, Asian shipowners have become more active in the sale and purchase market, especially for second-hand capes. This opens the door for us to support operators looking to extend vessel life while keeping maintenance costs under control,” has added Frank Müller.
Originally developed in the early 1980s for civil engineering applications, Stelpant has gained increasing traction in the maritime sector over the past decade—particularly among shipowners aiming to safeguard ageing vessels operating on mineral-intensive trades in the Asia-Pacific region.