The test application, carried out on the 63,000dwt African Bari Bird, represents the first reference for Steelpaint’s advanced Stelpant system on an Indian-managed vessel. The move is a significant step in the manufacturer’s strategy to expand into the highly active Indian bulk carrier market.
German coating specialist Steelpaint GmbH has completed a landmark trial application of its high-performance, single-component moisture cure polyurethane coating system on an MUR Shipping bulk carrier.
The application took place during a scheduled drydocking at China’s Zeme Shipyard. Trial areas within the vessel's No.3 cargo hold included the forward hatch coaming, corrugated bulkhead, lower stool, and tank top, areas notoriously prone to heavy mechanical wear.
Prior to application, a pre-docking inspection revealed severe degradation. Corrosion rates had reached approximately 30% on the hatch coaming, 60% on the bulkheads, and 80% on the lower stool, while the tank top protection had suffered 100% corrosion combined with heavy pitting.
“MUR Shipping’s decision to trial the Stelpant system reflects a sector-wide challenge. Keeping cargo holds protected against a relentless cycle of abrasion and corrosion is something conventional coatings struggle to withstand,” has stated Li Yinlong, General Manager of Steelpaint China.
Following grit-blasting to SA2 and a freshwater wash, the shipyard team applied the Stelpant MCPU system. The hatch coamings and bulkheads received a 100μm DFT coat of reddish Stelpant-PU-Zinc primer, topped with a 150μm DFT coat of Stelpant-PU-Combination300 micaceous iron oxide topcoat. The lower stools and tank tops were treated with two coats of Stelpant-PU-Zinc (reddish and grey) at 125μm DFT each.
“Cargo hold maintenance is one of the most significant ongoing costs for a bulk carrier operator. Our first trial with an Indian-operated vessel validates our technical approach in demanding marine environments and gives us an authentic reference point as we engage with Indian shipowners and yards looking to invest in fleet resilience,” has added Frank Müller, Director of Steelpaint.
Unlike traditional multi-component epoxy systems, Steelpaint's MCPU technology eliminates mixing errors and allows for rapid overcoating in high humidity
(up to 98% relative humidity), drastically reducing drydock downtime.