GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION

COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS)

DECEMBER 2006

American Bureau of Shipping

Incorporated by Act of Legislature of
the State of New York 1862

Copyright 2006
American Bureau of Shipping
ABS Plaza
16855 Northchase Drive
Houston, TX 77060 USA

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Foreword
This Guide, specifying the criteria for the class notation CPS (Coating Performance Standard), has
been developed with the objective of promoting the effective use of protective coatings on ABS-classed
vessels.
This Guide is provided to shipbuilders, ship owners, operators, naval architects and marine engineers
in satisfying the protective coating requirements contained in the IMO Resolution MSC.215(82)
Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for Dedicated Seawater Ballast Tanks in all Types of
Ships and Double-Side Skin Spaces of Bulk Carriers (PSPC). Although this Guide is mandatory for
the Common Structural Rules (CSR) vessels after 8 December 2006, it may also be optionally applied
to any non-CSR vessel prior to the IMO effective date of 1 July 2008. In addition this Guide may be
optionally applied to CSR vessels contracted prior to the effective date of 8 December 2006.
The Guide illustrates the application of the criteria contained in the IMO PSPC and includes reference
to the IACS Procedural Requirement No. 34 which includes IACS agreed procedures related to the
IMO PSPC. The Guide contains extensive cross reference to the IMO and IACS documents.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

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GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION

COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS)

CONTENTS
1

General....................................................................................1
1.1

Scope and Application ...........................................................1

1.2

Abbreviations .........................................................................1

1.3

Basis of Notation....................................................................1

1.4

Effective Date.........................................................................2

Process ...................................................................................2
2.1

Process Flow .........................................................................2

Detailed Instructions..............................................................4
3.1

Coating Process.....................................................................4

3.2

Verification Procedure............................................................7

3.3

Maintenance, Repair and Partial Re-coating.........................7

Documentation .......................................................................7
4.1

Required Specific Certification and Documentation ..............7

4.2

Assembly of Information and Retention.................................8

Certification of Coating Systems..........................................8

5.1

General ..................................................................................8

5.2

Existing Epoxy Coating Systems ...........................................8

5.3

New Epoxy Coating Systems ................................................8

5.4

New Alternative Systems .......................................................9

5.5

Certification ............................................................................9

Survey After Construction ....................................................9

FIGURE 1

Coating Process Flow ..................................................3

FIGURE 2

Coating Pre-qualification Testing Flow ........................4

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

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General

1.1

Scope and Application

This Guide has been developed with the objective of promoting the effective use of the qualified
protective coatings on ABS-classed vessels. The requirements as specified in this Guide are
additional to all other relevant requirements of ABS Rules and Guides. Vessels and marine structures
designed, built and coated in full compliance with the International Regulations, standards, guidelines
and recommendations as listed in 1.2 below will be assigned a class notation CPS, Coating
Performance Standard.

1.2

Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used through this Guide:
CPS

Coating Performance Standard notation or general reference to this Guide.

CSR

Common Structural Rules, see ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, Part 5A
(Double Hull Oil Tankers) and Part 5B (Bulk Carriers).

CTF

Coating Technical File

PR 34 IACS Procedural Requirement No. 34

PSPC Performance Standard for Protective Coatings

1.3

Basis of Notation
It is a prerequisite for receiving the class notation CPS that the applicable requirements of the
following are fully complied with:
i)

IMO Resolution MSC.215(82) Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for Dedicated
Seawater Ballast Tanks in All Types of Ships and Double-Side Skin Spaces of Bulk Carriers
(IMO PSPC) (link to IMO PSPC).

ii)

IACS PR No. 34, IACS Procedural Requirement on Application of the IMO Performance
Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC), Resolution MSC.215(82), under IACS Common
Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (link to IACS PR 34).

iii)

ABS will apply the provisions of IACS PR No. 34 to vessels other than CSR for Bulk
Carriers and Oil Tankers.

iv)

IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (see ABS Steel Vessel
Rules Part 5B and Part 5A).

In those instances where the flag administration has specific mandatory national regulations regarding
coating protection, documentation confirming compliance with these regulations is to be submitted
and considered to be fundamental to the CPS notation.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

1.4

Effective Date
This Guide may be optionally applied to any vessel prior to the effective date of the applicable Rule
or IMO requirement as listed below.
After the following effective dates compliance with this Guide and the referenced Rule or IMO
requirement is mandatory.

The effective date for application of coatings for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers to which the CSR
apply is on or after 8 December 2006, based on a building contract date.

The effective date for application of coatings to vessels to which the IMO PSPC apply is indicated
in SOLAS, Chapter II-1, Part A-1, Regulation 3-2, which states that the regulation applies to
ships:
-

for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2008; or

in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage
of construction on or after 1 January 2009; or

the delivery of which is on or after 1 July 2012.

Process

2.1

Process Flow
The general coating process typically follows a process flow as shown in Figure 1. Each of the major
coating steps is indicated along with a cross reference to the applicable section within the IMO PSPC.
The various documentation and review steps necessary to demonstrate compliance with the IMO
PSPC and the review steps performed by ABS as a Recognized Organization (RO) in line with IACS
Procedures PR No. 34 are also indicated along with cross reference to the applicable section within
the IMO PSPC.
The IMO PSPC also includes requirements for pre-qualifying coating systems for use when coating
vessel structure. The general process flow for pre-qualifying coatings is as shown in Figure 2.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

FIGURE 1
Coating Process Flow
Select areas of vessel
to be coated
(1, 4)

IACS Procedures
(PR NO. 34)

Selection of coatings
(Table 1, 1.1)

Statement of Compliance
or
Type Approval Certificate
(4.4.2)

Technical Data Sheet

(4.4.4)

Primary Surface
Preparation
(Table 1, 2)

Apply Shop Primer

(Table 1, 2.3)

Secondary Surface
Preparation
(Table 1, 3)

Apply Protective Coating

(Table 1, 1.4)

Inspection of Coating
(Table 1, 4.3)

Coating Repair
(Table 1, 4.4)

Documentation
(CTF)
(3.4)

See Figure 2 for prequalification tests of

coatings

34.1 Coating System Approval

(IMO PSPC 5)
D

(4.4.3) (7.1)

34.2 Coating Inspector

Qualification
(IMO PSPC 6)
D

(4.4.3) (7.1)

I-D

I-D

I-D

I-D

I-D

I-D

(7.4) (7.5)

34.3 Inspection Agreement

(IMO PSPC 3.2)

(7.2) (7.4) (7.5)

(7.4) (7.5)

34.4 Verification of Applications

of PSPC
(IMO PSPC 7)

(7.2) (7.4) (7.5)

34.5 Coating Technical File

Review
(IMO PSPC 3.4)

(7.4) (7.5)

Documentation - assembled by
yard.

(7.2) (7.4) (7.5)

I-D
D

(6.1.1) (7.3)

Documentation Review performed by ABS as an RO.

Inspection - performed by
coating inspector.

(3.4)

Qualified inspector's documentation to be verified by the

Administration or RO. R

Inspector Documentation assembled by inspector.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

Reference to IMO PSPC

FIGURE 2
Coating Pre-qualification Testing Flow
(See also IACS PR NO. 34.1)
See Figure 1
Selection of coatings
(Table 1, 1.1)
Epoxy-based System
(Table 1, 1.3)

Statement of Compliance
or
Type Approval Certificate
(4.4.2)

Existing
experience w/
"good" rating
after 5 years
(Table 1, 1.3)
M-D

Tested prior to
1 July 2008
(Table 1, 1.3)
(A1, 3.2)
(A2, 3.2)
R

M-D

Other systems
(8)
(App 1)
(App 2)

Tested on/after
1 July 2008
(Table 1, 1.3)
(App 1)
(App 2)
R

M-D

M-D

See Figure 1
M-D

Documentation Review performed by ABS as an RO.

Detailed Instructions

3.1

Coating Process

Manufacturer Documentation assembled by manufacturer.

Reference to IMO PSPC

Detail instructions for each of the major steps shown in Figures 1 and 2 are provided in this section.
Cross reference to the IMO PSPC is indicated where applicable.
3.1.1

Select Areas to be Coated

The IMO PSPC is applicable for protective coatings in dedicated seawater ballast tanks of all
types of ships of not less than 500 gross tonnage and double-side skin spaces arranged in bulk
carriers of 150 m in length and upward. See the IMO PSPC Section 1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4. The
International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Common Structural Rules for
Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (see ABS Steel Vessel Rules Part 5B and Part 5A, respectively)
mandate the application of the IMO PSPC to vessels to which the CSR apply.
The shipyard is to prepare and submit a list of all spaces to be coated in accordance with the
IMO PSPC. ABS will review the list for compliance with the IMO PSPC. The final list is to
be included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1 below.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

3.1.2

Selection of Coatings
The selection of coatings is to be made considering the service conditions and planned
maintenance. The selected coatings are to be listed and cross referenced to the spaces to be
coated as per 3.1.1. See the IMO PSPC Table 1, 1.1.
In general epoxy based coating systems are to be used. The selected coating system is to
undergo a pre-qualification test as illustrated in Figure 2. See also IACS PR No.34 Section 1.
Other systems are to be tested in accordance with IMO PSPC Appendix 1 and Appendix 2.
The selected coatings are to be documented per 3.1.3. See IMO PSPC Table 1, 1.2 and 1.3.

3.1.3

Statement of Compliance
A Statement of Compliance or a Type Approval Certificate which signifies that one of
the options in 3.1.2 has been satisfied is to be obtained for each coating system selected. See
IMO PSPC Section 4.4.3 and 5.
The coating manufacturer is to provide copies of the Statement of Compliance or Type
Approval Certificate for each coating system to be used in accordance with the IMO PSPC to
the shipyard for inclusion into the CTF. See IMO PSPC 4.4.2. ABS will review the
documentation in the CTF for compliance with the IMO PSPC. The documents are to be
included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1 below.

3.1.4

Technical Data Sheet

Each selected coating is also to be documented by a Technical Data Sheet which lists
technical information necessary to properly identify the coating product and application
instructions. See IMO PSPC Section 3.4.2.2, 4.4.4 and Table 1, 1.1.
The coating manufacturer is to provide copies of the Technical Data Sheet for each coating
system to be used in accordance with the IMO PSPC to the shipyard for inclusion into the
CTF. See IMO PSPC 4.4.4. The documents are to be included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1
below. ABS will review the documentation in the CTF for compliance with the IMO PSPC.

3.1.5

Primary Surface Preparation

The primary surface preparation is to comply with the IMO PSPC Table 1, 2.1 and 2.2.
The yard is to carry out the primary surface preparation and retain work records or other
documentation as confirmation of the preparation treatment. Coating Inspectors will carry out
inspections and document their confirmation that the primary surface preparation is within the
standard and compatible with the selected coating to be applied. The documents are to be
included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1 below. ABS will review the documentation in the CTF
for compliance with the IMO PSPC.

3.1.6

Apply Shop Primer

The shop primer is to be applied in compliance with the IMO PSPC Table 1, 2.3.
The yard is to apply the shop primer and retain work records or documentation. Coating
Inspectors will carry out inspections and document that the shop primer application is within
the standard and compatible with the selected coating to be applied. The documents are to be
included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1 below. ABS will review the documentation in the CTF
for compliance with the IMO PSPC.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

3.1.7

Secondary Surface Preparation

The secondary surface preparation is to comply with the IMO PSPC Table 1, 3.
The yard is to carry out the secondary surface preparation and retain work records or other
documentation as confirmation of the surface preparation. Coating Inspectors will carry out
inspections and document their confirmation that the secondary surface preparation is within
the standard and compatible with the selected coating to be applied. The documents are to be
included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1 below. ABS will review the documentation in the CTF
for compliance with the IMO PSPC.

3.1.8

Apply Protective Coating

The protective coating is to be applied in compliance with the IMO PSPC Table 1, 1.4 and
1.5. And the application conditions of IMO PSPC Table 1, 4.1 and 4.2 are to be followed.
Inspection of the coating is to be performed as per 3.1.9 below.
The yard is to apply the coatings and retain work records or documentation. Coating
Inspectors will carry out inspections and document that the coating application is within the
standard. The documents are to be included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1 below. ABS will
review the documentation in the CTF for compliance with the IMO PSPC.

3.1.9

Inspection of Coating
The coating is to be inspected at various stages of surface preparation and application to
verify and document that the coating application is within the standard as per IMO PSPC
Section 6.1.2. Also see Section 3.2 below.
The coating inspectors who are qualified in accordance with IACS PR No.34, Section 2 are to
carry out inspections as per IMO PSPC Table 1, 4.3, Section 6.1.2 and the table contained in
IMO PSPC Section 6.2.
The coating inspectors are to document the results from the inspections per IMO PSPC
Section 6.1.3 and Annex 2. Special reference is made to the Dry Film Thickness (DFT)
measurements as specified in item 5 of the Block assembly portion of the table and Annex 3.
The documents are to be included in the CTF per Section 4.1.1 below. ABS will review the
documentation in the CTF for compliance with the IMO PSPC.

3.1.10 Coating Repair

Any defective areas of the coatings are to be repaired per IMO PSPC Table 1, 4.4. The
coating inspectors are to document the results from the inspections of the repaired areas per
IMO PSPC Section 6.1.3 and Annex 2. The documents are to be included in the CTF per
Section 4.1.1 below. ABS will review the documentation in the CTF for compliance with the
IMO PSPC.
3.1.11 Documentation
The IMO PSPC mandates that each step in the coating process documented. Some items are
required to be documented and reviewed prior to the performance of the actual work. In
addition, some documentation is required to illustrate the conditions and inspection results of
the actual work carried out. The assembly and submission of all documents is the overall
responsibility of the shipyard. The completion of the documentation is to assemble a Coating
Technical File (CTF) as per the IMO PSPC Section 3.4 and Section 4 below. ABS will review
the documentation in the CTF for compliance with the IMO PSPC.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

3.2

Verification Procedure
The basic verification procedure is included in IMO PSPC Section 7. The following information is
intended to clarify ABSs process performed as an RO and in support of the CPS notation.

3.3

3.2.1

Technical Data Sheet, Statement of Compliance or Type Approval Certificate

The ABS Engineering Office conducting plan approval for the vessel will review the Technical
Data Sheet, Statement of Compliance or Type Approval Certificates to verify compliance
with the IMO PSPC standard.

3.2.2

Coating Identification
The attending ABS Surveyor will verify that the coating identification on representative
containers is the coating identified in the Technical Data Sheet, Statement of Compliance or
Type Approval Certificate.

3.2.3

Coating Inspector Qualification

The attending ABS Surveyor will verify that the coating inspector is qualified in accordance
with the qualification standards in IMO PSPC Section 6.1.1 and in IACS PR No.34 Section 2.

3.2.4

Coating Inspector Reports

The attending ABS Surveyor will verify that the coating inspectors reports of surface preparation
and the coatings application indicate compliance with the manufacturers Technical Data
Sheet, Statement of Compliance or Type Approval Certificate.

3.2.5

Implementation of Coating Inspection Requirements

ABS Surveyor will monitor implementation of the coating inspection requirements, see IMO
PSPC 3.2 and 7.5 and IACS PR34 Sections 3 and 4.

Maintenance, Repair and Partial Re-coating

The coatings are to be maintained in accordance with IMO PSPC Section 3.4.3 and 3.4.4. The
relevant sections of the IMO Guidelines for coating maintenance and repair are to be applied. It is
noted that these IMO Guidelines are to be developed by IMO at a future date.
The Coating Technical File (CTF) is to be kept on board and maintained throughout the life of the
ship in accordance with IMO PSPC Section 3.4.5.

Documentation

4.1

Required Specific Certification and Documentation

The following documentation and certification are required in order to receive and maintain the CPS
notation:
4.1.1

Coating Technical File (CTF)

As mentioned above in 3.1.11, preparation and continuous update of CTF and existence of the
CTF endorsed by a qualified coating inspector(s) on board the vessel are the basis for the
CPS notation. The CTF is to be available for reference by the Surveyor during new
construction and the class surveys after construction see IMO PSPC 3.4.1 and 3.4.5. Also see
IACS PR34 Section 5. The CTF is to include the information listed in IMO PSPC 3.4.2, 3.4.3
and 3.4.4.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

4.2

Assembly of Information and Retention

4.2.1

New Construction Phase

The CTF is to be initiated prior to commencement of any coating work and continuously
updated by the shipbuilder or their representative, qualified coating inspector(s) throughout
the construction phase. The CTF is to be endorsed by qualified coating inspector and is to be
placed on board the vessel upon delivery of the vessel.

4.2.2

In-service Phase
The CTF is to be retained onboard and continuously updated to reflect any coating work by
the shipowner or their representative, qualified coating inspector(s) throughout the vessels
life for the Surveyors verification, as necessary, at the class surveys after construction.

Certification of Coating Systems

5.1

General
As stated in IACS PR No. 34, Section 1 (See 3.1.2 above), there are three main coating options for
use with the IMO PSPC, namely; existing epoxy coatings developed prior to 8 December 2006, new
epoxy coatings and new alternative systems. The following sections describe ABS procedure for
certifying the coating systems. The coating manufacturer is to meet minimum requirements indicated
in the IACS PR34 Method D items 1.10 and 1.11.

5.2

5.3

Existing Epoxy Coating Systems

5.2.1

5 Year Field Test

As indicated in IMO PSPC Table 1, 1.3 existing epoxy coating systems may be applied to
provide protection against corrosion provided they have documented field exposure for 5
years with a final coating condition of not less than GOOD. ABS is to review all
particulars related to an existing epoxy system and issue a Statement of Compliance or a Type
Approval Certificate indicating adherence to the standard. See IACS PR34 Method B items
1.3 to 1.7.2.

5.2.2

Marintek B1 Approvals
Epoxy coating systems with existing satisfactory Marintek test reports minimum level B1
may be applied to provide protection against corrosion. See IACS PR34 Method C items
1.8 and 1.9.

New Epoxy Coating Systems

As indicated in IMO PSPC Table 1, 1.3 new epoxy coating systems may be applied to provide
protection against corrosion provided that they have been tested and documented in accordance with
the procedures detail in Annex 1, Appendix 1 and 2 of the standard. ABS is to review all particulars
related to the testing of the epoxy system and issue a Statement of Compliance or a Type Approval
Certificate indicating adherence to the standard. It is noted in IMO PSPC Annex 1, 3.2 that if the
testing is performed prior to the entry into force of the standard, only the criteria for blistering and rust
needs to be satisfied. After the entry into force all aspects of the test need to be satisfied. See IACS
PR34 Method A items 1.1 and 1.2.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

5.4

New Alternative Systems

New alternative systems will be certified in accordance with IMO PSPC Section 8. ABS will review
all particulars related to the testing of the alternative system and issue a Statement of Compliance or a
Type Approval Certificate indicating adherence to the standard. See IACS PR34 Method A items
1.1 and 1.2.

5.5

Certification
Certification of a coating system may be made by issuance of a Statement of Compliance or a Type
Approval Certificate. Either of these types of certification is acceptable to document that a particular
coating system complies with 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 above.

5.5.1

Statement of Compliance
Upon satisfactory review of all particulars related to the testing of the coating system as
indicated in 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 above, ABS will issue a Statement of Compliance.

5.5.2

Type Approval Certificate

Upon satisfactory review of all particulars related to the testing of the coating system as
indicated in 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 above, and the details of the ABS Type Approval Program
specified in 1-1-4/7.7 and Appendix 1-1-A3 of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel
Vessels are complied with, ABS will issue a Type Approval Certificate.

Survey After Construction

In order to retain the CPS notation, all annual, intermediate and renewal or periodic surveys as
applicable for the various documents listed in 1.2 above are to be satisfactorily completed. At each
periodical survey the attending Surveyor is to verify:
i)

That certification and documentation is onboard as outlined in 4.2 above.

ii)

That approved operational procedures as outlined in 3.3 above are maintained onboard.

iii)

When maintenance of coating or repair of coating has been carried out, as per above
paragraph 3.3, the attending ABS Surveyor will verify the records of the proper process
application at time of the corresponding periodical survey (either Annual, Intermediate or
Renewal) subsequently to the subject application.

ABS GUIDE FOR THE CLASS NOTATION COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARD (CPS) . 2006

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