Loss Prevention Advice
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Tank coating systems require regular inspection and maintenance. Re-coating is typically necessary within the vessel’s trading life and is usually completed during dry dock periods.
According to West, vessels must carry the tank coating’s Manufacturer’s Cargo Resistance Guide onboard at all times and consult it when planning cargo sequencing and tank cleaning.
The bulletin provides a detailed comparison of zinc silicate and epoxy coatings, outlining their performance, limitations and compatibility with various cargoes from clean petroleum products to aggressive chemicals and food-grade substances. Today we take a look at zinc coatings.
Zinc:
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Cargo tank coatings serve to shield the mild steel structure from corrosion and act as an insulating barrier between the steel and the cargo. Preserving the condition of these coatings is crucial to maintain cargo purity, preventing contamination and potential claims. The bulletin provides a comparison of zinc silicate and epoxy coatings.
Epoxy
Epoxy tank coatings are organic and fall under a group of coatings each with distinct properties, capabilities and limitations, such as pure epoxy, phenolic epoxy (Novolac), Marineline and Bimodal or Siloxirane. These organic resin systems are mixed with a hardener to form a coating film, creating a three-dimensional cross-linked structure of chemical bonds between the resin molecules.
Epoxy coatings are resistant to strong acids and alkalis. They do not typically absorb significant amounts of oil-like substances, making them suitable to carry CPPs (clean petroleum products), aromatics and most alcohols.
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A recent finding on pilot transfer arrangements presents ongoing safety risks, prompting new SOLAS amendments and performance standards to improve compliance and reduce accidents.
According to Akshat Arora, Regional Loss Prevention Director, UK P&I Club Singapore, despite previous regulatory measures, accidents and fatalities continue to occur due to non-compliant arrangements, poor maintenance, or incorrect rigging of pilot ladders. Recent findings underline the scale of the problem:
- Based on the safety campaign conducted by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) in May-2025, nearly 14% of transfer arrangements are reported to be non-compliant, with pilot ladders emerging as the most frequent concern.
- According to the latest Safety Bulletin published by Tokyo MOU, deficiencies related to pilot transfer arrangements increased from 197 in 2020 to 523 in 2024, with detentions rising from 1 to 12 in the same period. Common issues include improper securing of ladders, defective steps or ropes, and misuse of accommodation ladders.
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This article provides guidance on cargo tank coatings for chemical and product tankers.
Tank coating systems need to be routinely inspected and maintained. Re-coating is generally required at some point during a vessel’s operational life, typically carried out during dry docking. Vessels are also required to keep the tank coating Manufacturer’s Cargo Resistance Guide onboard at all times and refer to it when planning cargo sequencing and tank cleaning.
This bulletin reviews and compares zinc silicate and epoxy coatings, though stainless steel tanks present an alternative to traditional coated tanks.