As shipowners look for coatings that shorten docking time and extend maintenance cycles, BW Epic Kosan’s continued preference for Steelpaint’s corrosion-protection technology highlights the growing confidence in zinc-based polyurethane systems to keep vessels structurally sound.

Since receiving its first order in 2017, Steelpaint has regularly supplied its Stelpant-PU-Zinc coating for application to the hulls and decks of BW Epic Kosan’s global fleet of gas carriers. The most recent delivery was shipped two weeks ago for application to the 11,000m³ LPG carrier Epic Sunter, which is scheduled to drydock in the United Arab Emirates.

Several vessels have now completed two or three drydocking cycles with the same coating system performing effectively, requiring only small-area touch-ups rather than full recoating.

“Repeat orders from the shipowner reflect long-term satisfaction with Stelpant’s corrosion resistance and the confidence BW Epic Kosan places in the system to safeguard its vessels,” says Steelpaint director Frank Müller.

The single-component, moisture-curing polyurethane zinc primer is applied to hull areas from the boot-top to the railing and on exposed deck structures to prevent corrosion and maintain steel integrity.

“Epic Kosan’s fleet operates in some of the world’s most demanding marine environments, with vessels routinely exposed to saltwater and extreme temperature cycles,” Müller said. “The shipowner’s continued confidence in Stelpant-PU-Zinc underlines the system’s proven durability in extending asset life and reducing maintenance downtime.”

The zinc-rich formulation provides cathodic protection with deeper penetration into the steel substrate while retaining elasticity throughout its service life, preventing cracking and sub-film corrosion.

Dmitry Gromilin, Steelpaint’s technical manager, says the coating’s characteristics have proven decisive in the operator’s decision to standardize the product.

“The obvious advantages of both the application process and the unique formulation of this coating demonstrate that our customers’ decisions are economically, environmentally and technologically sound,” Gromilin says. “Shipowners using this system typically find that repair and touch-up areas are much smaller than with traditional epoxy coatings.”

Stelpant-PU-Zinc has now been applied to numerous Epic Kosan vessels during scheduled drydockings in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where the coating has been used either as a stand-alone primer or within hybrid systems combining Steelpaint’s zinc base with alternative topcoats selected by the owner.

“We’ve used Steelpaint coatings across a large part of our fleet for several years and have been very satisfied with the results,” said Niraj Singh, chief, tech/sci and R&D manager, BW Epic Kosan. “For us, a key measure of any coating is how it performs over time. With Stelpant-PU-Zinc, we’ve consistently seen smaller repair areas and less surface degradation between dockings. The product has helped us reduce downtime while maintaining high structural standards across our fleet.”

Gromilin said the success of the Epic Kosan program shows how high-performance polyurethane zinc primers can integrate with existing specifications without disrupting owners’ maintenance routines.

“Many shipowners appreciate the flexibility of a single-pack primer that can be applied quickly in varying climatic conditions,” he said. “It cures rapidly and provides long-term protection in aggressive marine and industrial environments. Combined, these benefits deliver measurable savings over traditional multi-component epoxies while maintaining the high corrosion-protection standards required by classification societies.”