This paper charts the developments that led to the introduction of the IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC) for dedicated water ballast tanks (WBT), and discusses the major requirements of this standard. Their implications for design are also outlined with a view to identifying how future ship structural designs may be improved with respect to coating performance. To provide some insight into typical coating issues, the coating process is first examined and factors that have contributed to the lack of investment are acknowledged. The resulting problems currently faced as result of the lack of investment have been identified. The existing design guidelines provided by ISO standards have been appraised and their applicability to future designs considered. The aims of the current DISPRO project are set out; these can be summarised as seeking to optimise the structural design of a vessel to meet the needs of the coating process, whilst still satisfying all of the structural strength and operational requirements.
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