# IMO PSPC

Source: https://coatmentor.com/standards/imo-pspc/ · Updated 2026-10-14

SOLAS rules for ballast-tank and bulk-carrier double-side skin coatings.

**Publisher**: IMO

**Area**: Systems, environments and degradation

The IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC), resolution MSC.215(82), is mandatory under SOLAS for dedicated seawater ballast tanks of new ships and for the double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers. It is built around a 15-year target service life in "good" condition.

## What it asks for

- Epoxy-based systems with a light-coloured top coat, prequalified by test.
- A total nominal DFT of 320 µm, judged by the 90/10 rule: at least 90 % of readings at or above the nominal, and none of the rest below 90 % of it.
- At least two stripe coats and two spray coats.
- Soluble salts at most 50 mg/m² as NaCl, RH no higher than 85 %, and steel at least 3 °C warmer than the dew point during blasting and coating.
- A coating technical file that records the work and stays with the ship.

## The inspector

Inspection is by qualified coating inspectors. The standard named NACE Coating Inspector Level 2 or FROSIO Inspector Level III, or an equivalent the Administration accepts; an amendment adopted in 2024 names the AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector in place of the NACE title.

**4** practice items in the members area mention IMO PSPC (CIP 1: 1 · CIP 2: 1 · FROSIO written: 2).

## Related

- **Concepts:** [Stripe coats](https://coatmentor.com/learn/stripe-coat/) · [Soluble salts and the Bresle test](https://coatmentor.com/learn/soluble-salts/) · [Dew point and the 3 °C margin](https://coatmentor.com/learn/dew-point/)
- **Standards:** [ISO 8502](https://coatmentor.com/standards/iso-8502/) · [ISO 8501](https://coatmentor.com/standards/iso-8501/) · [ISO 12944](https://coatmentor.com/standards/iso-12944/)

## About this page

This page describes the subject of IMO PSPC in our own words; it does not reproduce the standard. For the full text, buy the current edition from IMO. Checked on 2026-10-14; errors go in the [corrections log](https://coatmentor.com/method/). CoatMentor is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with ISO, AMPP, SSPC, NACE International, ASTM or FROSIO.