Steelpaint completes cargo hold coating trial on African Bari Bird

Steelpaint has completed a trial application of its Stelpant moisture cure polyurethane coating system on MUR Shipping’s 63,000-dwt bulker African Bari Bird during scheduled drydocking at China’s Zeme Shipyard, marking the company’s first reference project with an Indian-managed vessel.
The coating work covered sections of the Liberia-flagged vessel’s No.3 cargo hold, including the forward hatch coaming, corrugated bulkhead, lower stool and tank top. Steelpaint said the trial followed inspection findings showing severe corrosion and coating degradation in the hold.
Li Yinlong, general manager, Steelpaint China, said corrosion levels had reached about 30% on the hatch coaming, 60% on bulkheads and 80% on the lower stool. “The tank top protection had gone completely. 100% corrosion combined with pitting,” said Li.  
Before coating application, the test areas were blasted to SA2 standard using copper slag abrasive and washed with freshwater at 150 bar.
“The coatings team at the Zeme Shipyard, working with Steelpaint for the first time, handled the preparation very well indeed,” said Li. “Steelpaint cargo hold coatings do not require specific surface treatment and the yard was hugely impressed with the coating’s ease of application.”
The company added that the cargo hold returned to service within 24 hours.
Frank Müller, director, Steelpaint, said: “Cargo hold maintenance is one of the most significant ongoing costs for a bulk carrier operator. MUR wanted to put the Steelpant system through its paces properly, across the areas that take the hardest punishment."