Water Ballast Tank Coating Aims to Benefit the Environment

ABS, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI Group) and the Marshall Islands Registry (MIR) have completed a joint development project (JDP) to create an environmentally friendly, solvent-free coating for water ballast tanks that only requires one coat.

ABS completed the Product Design Assessment on the epoxy paint, while MIR granted the system Approval in Principle (AiP).

The system is designed to offer ship owners equivalent corrosion prevention performance and reduced costs, when compared to traditional two coat systems, while ensuring compliance with international regulations.

“Protection of the marine environment is at the heart of the ABS mission and we are pleased to partner with HHI Group and the Marshall Islands Registry on the One Coat System of High Solid Volume Ratio ecofriendly epoxy paints,” said Darren Leskoski Vice President, Regional Business Development, ABS.

Hwansik Lee, Senior Vice President of HHI Group, said: “Following the global trends of eco-friendliness in the shipbuilding industry, the acquisition of AiP will not only contribute to the technological development in the marine coating market, but also maximize the satisfaction of our client around the globe.”

“IMO Resolution MSC.215(82) allows for the acceptance of alternative systems at least equivalent to the standard specified therein,” said Tom Blenk, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs of the MIR. “This product is also a win in its dramatic reduction of volatile organic compounds which is good news for our environmentally conscientious shipowning community,” he concluded.