Guidelines for Ballast Tank Coating Systems and Surface Preparation - 2026 Edition

This publication 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.

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.

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

TSCF

The Tanker Structure Co-operative Forum (TSCF) is an informal technical body whose membership is voluntary and comprised of Oil Companies, Independent Owners/Operators and Classification Societies who will actively contribute to the TSCF'S Mission.

The mission of the TSCF is to advance maritime safety through improvements in the design and maintenance of tanker structures. This is achieved by sharing technical knowledge and experience in order to gain a better understanding of the safety performance of tanker structures in service. Specific topic areas of interest include corrosion, structural defects, inspection procedures, and criteria for determining renewal of damaged or corroded structure.

The TSCF is committed to sharing accumulated experience on tanker structures with the marine industry. This is achieved through prompt public release of technical manuals and information papers, and proceedings of TSCF Shipbuilder's Meetings.

http://www.tscforum.org/AboutTSCF/interim.aspx