Steelpaint secures 39-vessel order for Stelpant coating system

Steelpaint GmbH has secured a major order to supply its specialist Stelpant corrosion protection system for 39 dry bulk carriers operated by a leading Singapore-based shipping group.

The owner, which manages a 16 million dwt fleet, has worked with Steelpaint for over a decade and selected Stelpant for a major fleet maintenance initiative after successful trials. The coating reportedly outperforms conventional systems under high mechanical stress, significantly extending maintenance intervals and reducing steel renewal.

“Trials under extreme mechanical stress showed that Stelpant retained a protective film on high-wear, high-impact areas after more than 17 months in service,” said Dmitry Gromilin, Steelpaint’s Chief Technical Supervisor. “For operators, this can substantially reduce steel replacement in cargo holds, saving an estimated USD 4.5 million in lifecycle savings per vessel.”

The coatings will be applied at Youlian (Zhoushan), Youlian (Shekou), and Qingdao Beihai shipyards in China, supervised by Steelpaint Ltd (China). Application areas include tank tops, lower hoppers, hatch coamings and inner bottom plating, with two zinc-rich polyurethane layers covering up to 11,000m² per ship.

Frank Müller, Steelpaint Director, called the order a “significant expansion” of the company’s partnership with the owner, reflecting an industry shift towards lifecycle efficiency. Four vessels have already completed coatings work, with three more currently underway. “With demand for dry bulk tonnage remaining strong, and drydock space at a premium, coatings that reduce time in the yard while enhancing structural longevity are becoming critical to competitive fleet management,” added Müller.