Steelpaint GmbH has received its first order from Singapore-based Winning International Group to supply its advanced two-coat polyurethane-zinc coating system for the cargo holds of Winning Kindness, a 184,000dwt capesize bulk carrier. The contract marks the first formal collaboration between Steelpaint and Winning and extends the German manufacturer’s reach among major Asian shipowners. The order will see the protective coating applied at a yard in Zhoushan, China, with drydocking scheduled for September 2025. The coating will be applied to the tank top and the lower hopper/stool structure across a 2m area prone to aggressive corrosion.
“This latest contract signals strong momentum for our corrosion resistant coatings across Asia,” said Steelpaint Director Frank Müller. “Owners are seeing the long-term value of switching to a system that not only reduces lifecycle costs but extends vessel service life. We’re proud to be part of that shift.”
In addition to the Stelpant product, Steelpaint will supply onboard maintenance coats, allowing the Winning Kindness crew to carry out touch-up work as needed to maintain long-term corrosion protection performance throughout the vessel’s service.
The order follows a successful test patch trial on Winning Rich, proposed after the shipowner’s superintendent observed the coating’s performance on a competitor vessel during a drydocking at the Shanhaiguan Shipyard. “Vessels between 10 and 15 years old typically suffer thinning of tank top plating and if not addressed, can result in expensive steel renewal work, said Dmitry Gromilin, Chief Technical Supervisor at Steelpaint. “Our PU-zinc system offers reliable protection, especially in high-stress areas.”
Shipboard testing and operator assessments showed that Stelpant retained its protective layer even after 17 months of exposure to high impact loading in cargo holds, helping to extend maintenance intervals to 2.5 years and reduce steel renewal costs by an estimated US$4.5 million per vessel over its operational life.
A senior superintendent at Winning International said: “Our decision to move forward with Steelpaint was based on both technical performance and long-term cost benefits of its Stelpant product. What stood out was the track record Steelpaint has with other major operators and the results from our own trials. Compared to traditional coatings, the Stelpant system showed significantly better resistance to wear and corrosion.”
With several older capesize bulkers in its fleet, Winning is expected to closely monitor the performance with a view to possible wider adoption across the fleet.
This is the second contract Steelpaint has signed with Singapore-based ship operators in recent months. In April, the company was awarded a contract from one of the world’s largest bulk carrier operators to supply Stelpant to an initial 20 dry bulk vessels.
“With demand for dry bulk tonnage holding strong and shipyard slots at a premium, owners are increasingly turning to coatings that deliver reliable protection and reduce time out of service,” furthered Müller. “Over the past few years, Asian shipowners have become more active in the sale and purchase market, especially for second-hand capes. This opens the door for us to support operators looking to extend vessel life while keeping maintenance costs under control.”
Developed in the early 1980s, Stelpant has its origins in civil engineering and has gained growing traction in the shipping industry over the past decade, particularly among owners looking to safeguard ageing vessels operating on mineral-intensive Asia-Pacific trades.
