The project represents a significant entry point for its single-component moisture-cure polyurethane (MCPU) technology into the offshore energy sector, offering a field-tested alternative to conventional coating systems.
Steelpaint
has successfully completed a pivotal coating trial aboard the FSO Topaz, marking the company’s first official reference on a Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) unit.
A test patch consisting of a 100-micron Stelpant-PU-Zinc primer and a 200-micron Stelpant Combination 300 coat was applied to the vessel's chain deck. This specific area is prone to extreme mechanical stress, heavy abrasion, and extensive impact damage from anchor chains and containers. The airless spray application was supervised by Steelpaint China during a scheduled drydocking in April at the Huarun Dadong Dockyard (HRDD) in Shanghai, China.
“It also confirmed the system's compatibility with existing epoxies and its high tolerance for light-to-medium flash rust. Pull-off adhesion tests exceeded 20MPa, which is far beyond the 5MPa evaluation criteria for conventional epoxy coatings,” has stated Li Yinlong, Managing Director of Steelpaint China.
Athens-based vessel owner World Carrier Corporation sought to trial the coating to compare its impact resistance and application benefits against traditional epoxy systems, particularly on areas where steel temperatures can reach up to 40°C.
Minimising time spent in drydock was a critical factor for the operator. Li noted that the Steelpaint system demonstrated remarkable application speed, with the entire process taking just 12 hours. The FSO was able to return to service 24 hours later, significantly reducing project downtime compared to traditional epoxies that require lengthy drying periods.
“This project was more than a coatings trial for an operator; it represents a proof of concept for the entire offshore energy sector. We have proven that Stelpant provides a level of durability and application speed that traditional epoxies simply cannot match. This reference allows us to formally target the FPSO and FSO markets with a field-tested solution,” has added Frank Müller, Director at Steelpaint.
Stelpant-PU-Combination 300 is a single-component, low-solvent polyurethane coating containing micaceous iron oxide. Due to Steelpaint’s proprietary binder technology, it can be applied in temperatures ranging from -5°C to 50°C and in relative humidity of up to 98%, providing maximum corrosion protection in aggressive marine and industrial environments. When paired with Stelpant-PU-Zinc or Stelpant-PU-Oxide primers, the system is designed to protect hydraulic steel structures exposed to high mechanical impact.
As offshore operators look to balance maintenance intervals, downtime costs, and long-term asset longevity, coating technologies that combine mechanical resilience with simplified application are expected to attract increasing market attention.