German container terminals are adopting Steelpaint’s innovative corrosion protection system, Stelcatec, to restore and maintain the paintwork on ZPMC ship-to-shore cranes, following the system’s certification by the Chinese manufacturer in 2023.
Stelcatec, the world’s first isocyanate-free, low-VOC polyurethane coating system, is being utilized to repair damaged coatings on ZPMC cranes at container terminals in Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven.
Adamium, a German maintenance contractor, has already completed works on cranes at Wilhelmshaven and is set to begin similar restoration projects at terminals in Hamburg and Bremerhaven over the next two to three years.
Dmitry Gromilin, Chief Technical Supervisor at Steelpaint, commented: “When protective coatings on ship-to-shore cranes get damaged a two-component epoxy is typically used for spot repairs, but if you don’t get the mixing right, the paint will blister and be ineffective in protecting against corrosion. It’s a long process and curing takes time.”
Traditional two-component epoxy coatings often delay crane operations for weeks due to their long drying times, which are influenced by substrate and ambient temperatures. Adverse conditions can further extend the application timeline, making them less practical in colder or fluctuating climates.
“Taking a ship-to-shore crane out of commission costs the terminal money, delaying container loading/unloading operations. They wanted a ZPMC-approved one-component system that would obviate mixing errors, reduce material waste, speed up the drying process and reduce the time cranes are out of service,” mentioned Steelpaint Sales Director Frank Müller. “With Stelcatec-L, the coating can be applied and cured within a working day,” he added.
The decision to implement Stelcatec followed successful trials on equipment operated by one of Europe’s largest container terminal and logistics groups. These trials, combined with rigorous testing by ZPMC, led the original equipment manufacturer to certify Stelcatec for use on both existing cranes and new builds.
Achim Wallat, Adamium Project Manager, explained: “Terminal operators want an effective, reliable and safe corrosion protection system capable of reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Compared to two-component epoxies, Stelcatec-L is a very impressive, durable coating system that we now specify for all our crane refurbishment projects.”
Developed over four years of research and development, Stelcatec is a single-component, moisture-curing paint that eliminates the use of isocyanates. With very low solvent content, it can be applied by brush, roller, or spray in a wide range of conditions, including temperatures from -5°C to 50°C and relative humidity up to 98%.
Designed to protect steel in corrosivity category C5, Stelcatec meets ISO12944 standards, offering up to 25 years of protection. Its rapid drying times and high dry film thickness (DFT) of 80-120µm make it a highly efficient solution for crane maintenance.
“It is ideally suited for maintenance projects where time is of the essence,” noted Müller. “As Stelcatec can be applied 24/7, nighttime repairs are possible, reducing the time and costs associated with touch-up work. Terminal operators no longer have to take a crane out of service for weeks for coatings work.”
Steelpaint is now extending Stelcatec technology to the Asian market, where operators are conducting patch tests. The company anticipates receiving full coat application orders in the near future.
