The new industry guidance contained in the IMO Resolution MSC.215(82) provides requirements for protective coatings in dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all types of ships and double-side spaces of bulk carriers.
The PSPC is not significantly different from coating specifications used in the past. The most significant impact of this requirement is that it provides a common minimum standard for all owners and shipyards. The requirements extend through the whole process from specification to application, detailing the role of each party involved, the approval of coatings to be applied, and the process of inspection. Under the new standard, the coatings are to be light colour epoxy-based using a multi-coat system. The standard is intended to provide a target useful coating life of 15 years, over which the coating system is intended to remain in good condition.
Further reading: ABS Guide for the Class Notation “Coating Performance Standard” (2007) – can be downloaded from www.eagle.org