Overview
ISO 16145-3:2012 - "Ships and marine technology - Protective coatings and inspection method - Part 3: Cargo oil tanks of crude oil tankers" specifies a standardized method for applying and inspecting protective coatings in cargo oil tanks of crude oil tankers (≥ 5 000 tonnes deadweight) for newbuildings contracted, keel-laid or delivered on/after specified 2013–2016 dates. The part aligns with IMO PSPC requirements and provides practical procedures, acceptance criteria and inspection workflows intended for consistent quality in tank coating on new crude oil tankers.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope & applicability: Targets cargo oil tanks of crude oil tankers and crude oil/product carriers as defined by IMO PSPC; applies to newbuild timing criteria stated in the standard.
- Surface preparation: Defines primary and secondary surface preparation requirements, including visual cleanliness grades (e.g., Sa 2, Sa 2½) referenced to ISO 8501 series.
- Coating work standard: Areas to be coated (deckhead, bulkheads, flat inner bottom and structures), shop priming, and coating stages (block, pre-erection, erection).
- Measurement & acceptance:
- Dry Film Thickness (DFT) measurement procedures, representative DFT concept and the 90/10 rule (90% of measurements ≥ NDFT; remaining 10% not below 90% of NDFT).
- Tests for water-soluble salts, abrasive conductivity measurement and surface profile assessment.
- Inspection & certification: Inspection procedures, required qualifications for coating inspectors (e.g., NACE Level 2, FROSIO Level III or equivalent) and record-keeping (Coating Technical File, CTF).
- Defect treatment & damage assessment: Procedures for repair, touch-up and assessing degree of coating damage (informative annexes).
Practical applications - who uses it and why
- Shipowners and operators: to ensure newbuild cargo tanks meet IMO PSPC and warranty/acceptance criteria.
- Shipyards and coating applicators: to plan surface preparation, coating sequences, inspection points and quality control during block assembly and erection.
- Coating manufacturers and suppliers: to provide compatible system specifications, NDFT guidance and application tolerances.
- Coating inspectors, QA/QC teams and classification societies: to perform inspections, verify compliance, and compile the Coating Technical File for delivery acceptance.
Related standards and references
- IMO Res.MSC.288 (87) - Performance standard for protective coatings for cargo oil tanks
- ISO 16145 series (Parts 1–2) - other tank/coating contexts
- ISO 8501, ISO 8502, ISO 8503 - surface preparation and cleanliness test methods
- IACS UI SC223 and industry inspector schemes (NACE, FROSIO, SSPC)
ISO 16145-3:2012 is a practical, implementation-focused standard for achieving durable, verifiable protective coatings in crude oil tanker cargo tanks and for demonstrating compliance with international maritime coating performance requirements.