Understanding Hull Coating Inspections: A Technical Guide

Hull coating inspections are critical for maintaining vessel performance and longevity. This guide covers the key aspects of coating verification during newbuilding supervision.

Why Hull Coatings Matter

Marine coatings protect the hull from corrosion and biofouling, directly impacting fuel efficiency and operational costs. A properly applied coating system can reduce fuel consumption by up to 6% compared to a fouled hull.

Key Inspection Points

During newbuilding supervision, our teams verify:

• Surface preparation - Steel must be blast cleaned to SA 2.5 standard with appropriate anchor profile
• Dry film thickness (DFT) - Each coat measured with calibrated gauges at multiple points
• Application conditions - Temperature, humidity, and dew point recorded throughout
• Inter-coat intervals - Critical for adhesion between layers

Common Non-Conformances

The most frequent issues we identify include insufficient DFT in complex areas (welds, edges), contamination between coats, and application outside specified temperature ranges. Early identification allows for correction before the coating system is compromised.

Our structured reporting ensures full traceability from primer to antifouling, giving owners confidence in their vessel protection for years to come.