A ship is built to withstand harsh conditions, but one of its biggest threats isn’t rough seas or bad weather, it’s corrosion.

Every day, ships are exposed to saltwater, sunlight, and changing temperatures. Over time, these conditions can cause steel to rust. Without the right protective coating, corrosion can weaken the ship’s structure, increase maintenance costs, and even create serious safety risks.

Rust Is More Than a Cosmetic Issue

Rust doesn’t just make a ship look old. It slowly eats away at the steel, reducing its strength over time.

It often starts with small areas where the paint has been damaged or has reached the end of its service life. If left untreated, corrosion spreads beneath the surface, creating pits and eventually holes in the steel.

The longer it is ignored, the more expensive the repairs become.

When Corrosion Causes Serious Problems

Imagine a ship that has been operating for years without proper maintenance. Corrosion begins to form on the hull below the waterline, eventually creating a small leak.

At first, the leak may seem minor and easy to manage. However, as corrosion continues, the opening grows larger, allowing more seawater to enter the vessel.

In rough weather, water can enter faster than the pumps can remove it. This may flood important areas such as the engine room or cargo hold, affecting the ship’s stability. In the worst cases, the vessel could capsize or even sink.

While corrosion is rarely the only cause of a maritime accident, it is often a major factor that increases the risk of structural failure.

How Anti-Corrosion Coatings Help

Anti-corrosion coatings form a protective barrier between the steel and the marine environment.

They prevent seawater, oxygen, and salt from reaching the metal, slowing down the corrosion process. Modern marine coating systems are also designed to resist abrasion, UV exposure, and harsh operating conditions.

When applied correctly and maintained regularly, a quality coating system can extend a ship’s service life and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Recommended Jotun Anti-Corrosion Solutions

Selecting the right anti-corrosion coating is just as important as performing regular maintenance. For vessels operating in demanding marine environments such as Bali and throughout Indonesia, Jotamastic 85 and Jotamastic 90 are among Jotun’s most trusted epoxy coating solutions.

Jotamastic 85

Jotamastic 85 is a surface-tolerant epoxy mastic developed primarily for maintenance and repair projects. It offers excellent adhesion to properly prepared steel and existing coatings, making it ideal for vessels where abrasive blasting may not always be practical.

It is commonly used for:

• Steel hulls
• Decks
• Superstructures
• Ballast tanks
• Maintenance and repair projects

Its excellent corrosion resistance makes it a reliable choice for extending the service life of existing vessels while minimizing downtime.

Jotamastic 90

Jotamastic 90 is a high-solids epoxy coating engineered to provide enhanced corrosion protection and mechanical durability in aggressive marine environments.

Its high-build formulation allows greater film thickness in fewer coats, improving application efficiency while delivering long-lasting protection against seawater, and coastal exposure.

Jotamastic 90 is often recommended for:

• New vessel construction
• Major refurbishment projects
• Commercial vessels
• Offshore structures
• High-corrosion marine environments

When combined with compatible primers, UV-resistant topcoats, and an anti-fouling coating such as the Jotun SeaForce range below the waterline, these products form a complete marine coating system designed to maximize vessel protection and reduce lifecycle maintenance costs.

Prevention Is Always Better Than Repair

Repairing corrosion damage can be expensive. It may involve replacing steel plates, carrying out emergency repairs, or taking the vessel out of service for dry docking.

Regular inspections and timely recoating cost far less than repairing serious structural damage. Investing in the right coating system helps protect both the vessel and the people on board.

Conclusion

Corrosion is one of the biggest challenges for any steel vessel. If ignored, it can lead to leaks, costly repairs, operational delays, and, in extreme cases, the loss of the ship.

A high-quality anti-corrosion coating is more than just paint. It is an essential part of protecting a vessel, improving safety, and extending its working life. By preventing corrosion before it starts, ship owners can reduce maintenance costs and keep their vessels operating safely for years to come.