Short Overview
Guidelines for Ballast Tank Coating Systems and Surface Preparation, 2026 Edition provides guidance on technical matters related to the operation, maintenance and repair of corrosion protection systems of ships' ballast tanks. Imagery compares effective and ineffective tank coatings and shows examples of key maintenance operations.
Detailed Overview
Guidelines for Ballast Tank Coating Systems and Surface Preparation, 2026 Edition provides good practice guidance on the selection and application of ballast tank coatings. Technical diagrams illustrate chemical bonding, highlighting methods to prevent corrosion of steel surfaces. Safety considerations are outlined to ensure crew avoid hazards during the coating process. The coating of new build ships is explained, with detail on the differences between seawater and freshwater tank maintenance.
Introduction
These guidelines contain information and advice on technical matters related to the design, building, operation, maintenance and repair of the corrosion protection systems of ships' ballast tanks.
The intent of these guidelines is to provide options and information to designers, shipyards and ship owners and to be used as a reference document for shipbuilding, ship repair and ship maintenance purpose.
Contents Listing
Part 1 Introduction
1 General
2 Teamwork
3 Corrosion
4 Coatings
4.1 Adhesion
4.2 The Initial Adhesion
4.3 Coating Materials
4.4 Low Temperature Curing Products
4.5 Pre-construction Primer
4.6 Use of Block Stage Holding Primer
4.7 Edge Retentive Products
5 Cathodic Protection by Use of Anodes
6 Microbially Influenced Corrosion (MIC)
7 Inert Gas in Ballast Tanks
Part 2 New Building Corrosion Protection of Ships? Ballast Tanks
1 General
2 Planning
3 Cathodic Protection
4 Coating Selection
5 Steel Surface Preparation
5.1 Pre-cleaning
6 Coating Application and Curing
6.1 Stripe Coating
6.2 Environmental Control
6.3 Pre-application Controls
6.4 Thickness Minimum/Maximum Window
6.5 Erection Join-up Areas
7 Acceptance Criteria
8 Seawater Testing: Tank Final Inspection
8.1 Seawater (or Water) Testing
8.2 Defects Found During Tank Final Inspection
9 Inspection
9.1 Yard Quality Control Duty
9.2 Contractor Quality Control Duty
9.3 Coatings Manufacturer Quality Control Duty
9.4 Owner’s Coatings Inspector Duty
10 Reporting
11 Safety
12 Guarantees
Part 2.1 New Building Corrosion Protection of Ships? Ballast Tanks
1 General
2 Planning
3 Cathodic Protection
4 Coating Selection and Storage
5 Steel Surface Preparation
6 Coating Application and Curing
7 Testing
8 Inspection
9 Reporting
10 Safety
11 Removal and Disposal
12 Specification Summary Tables
Part 3 In Service Maintenance of Ballast Tank Coating Systems
1 General
2 Methods of Surface Preparation
3 Process Considerations
4 Principle of Repairs
4.1 Seawater Ballast Tanks
4.2 Fresh Water Tanks
5 Contractors
6 In Service Condition Monitoring
Additional Information
Number of Pages: 108
Published Date: April 2026
Book Height: 210 mm
Book Width: 300 mm
Weight: 1.2 kg
