Today’s globalized world relies on sophisticated trade networks, which are dominated by large container vessels. In fact, an estimated 90% of the world’s goods are now transported by sea, supported by ever-larger ships that can hold as many as 24,000 containers. Their increasing numbers and sizes, and still growing importance to global trade, makes protecting these vessels more important than ever before. While it’s imperative to protect each and every part of a ship, the hull – the watertight body serving as the main structural framework – is both most at risk, and most essential for protecting the ship’s cargo, machinery, and passengers. 

Typically composed of complex networks of steel plates and beams, the hull of container vessels is susceptible to salinity-induced corrosion and marine fouling, which has traditionally been combated with various ship paints. However, advances in materials science have seen the rise of new and improved solutions for protecting the hulls of container vessels. Namely, polyurea spray elastomer technology can be used as a robust, all-in-one solution for protecting steel hulls from abrasion, corrosion, and marine fouling.