The multi-layer Stelpant system of Steelpaint includes a zinc-rich moisture-cure polyurethane primer, offering cathodic protection, followed by two layers of polyurethane topcoat engineered for resistance to mechanical abrasion and impact, particularly in submerged zones.
Steelpaint’s high-performance corrosion protection system, Stelpant, has been chosen to safeguard key steel structures at the Port of Cuxhaven, where three new berths are currently under construction in support of Germany’s expanding offshore wind sector.
The large-scale infrastructure development, overseen by Niedersachsen Ports, involves extending the existing quay wall by more than 1,200 metres. The goal is to significantly increase the port’s capacity to handle offshore wind turbine components and related logistics.
As part of the contract, Steelpaint is supplying a complete coating system
for the steel tubes and sheet piles that will form the main structure of the extended quay wall. The system includes a zinc-rich primer followed by two polyurethane topcoats, specifically designed for long-term durability
in aggressive marine environments.
“The Cuxhaven expansion reflects the international nature of modern infrastructure projects. We are working across three countries, multiple suppliers, and adapted production processes, all within a tight timeframe. The key is not just technical performance optimisation, but coordination optimisation as well,” has stated Frank Müller, Director at Steelpaint.
The steel tubes are being produced in Turkiye and imported by Hamburg-based Cremer Steel, while the sheet piles are manufactured and shipped from Luxembourg. All elements are coated prior to delivery, with a total surface area of around 60,000 m2 protected against corrosion. The coatings will be applied to a dry film thickness of 525 microns, in line with specifications from Germany’s Federal Institute of Hydraulic Engineering (BAW).
“Transporting high-specification steel for a project like this demands careful coordination, but protecting it against corrosion is just as critical. Without reliable coatings, the structural longevity of marine infrastructure is compromised from the start. Our role was to ensure materials met the highest standards before reaching site,” has commented Hanno Philippi, Steel Division Manager at Cremer.
“The specifications demanded an elevated level of precision. Only one side of each 40m tube required coating, and this side included welded clutches that had to be treated individually. This required a redesign of standard production and application method. But working directly with the steel manufacturers ensured we could meet the project’s technical and coatings’ schedule requirements,” has added Dmitry Gromilin, Chief Technical Supervisor at Steelpaint.
Steelpaint is supplying the system directly to producers and fabricators in both Turkiye and Germany, maintaining close collaboration with coating applicators
throughout the process. Installation of the protected steel structures is scheduled to begin in mid-2025, with ramming of components into the seabed continuing into the latter part of the year. Once installed, the steel elements will support the formation of new berths built to accommodate heavy-lift vessels and offshore wind components, helping to future-proof Cuxhaven as a key logistics hub in Europe’s energy transition.
“With our extensive experience using Steelpaint systems, Stelpant proved to be a strong and reliable choice for this complex hydraulic engineering project. The international coordination has also been exemplary. Moving steel across borders involves more than transport. It’s about aligning documentation, coating schedules, and delivery sequences. This project shows that international cooperation, when well-managed, can meet the most demanding requirements,” has concluded Knut Kokkelink, Branch Manager of Niedersachsen Ports in Cuxhaven and Stade.