By Lisa Sciortino, Managing Editor of CoatingsPro Magazine

Coatings application, inspection, and maintenance strategies in shipyards will be discussed during Monday’s “Marine Coating Performance Under Pressure: Challenges and Innovations” forum, scheduled from 1:00-3:00 p.m. local time in room 361 DE.

The March 16 forum will be held inside Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, which is hosting the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo.

In the forum, presenters will address common causes of marine coating failures; surface preparation under extreme conditions; and the role of digital tools in transforming quality control and predictive maintenance strategies.  

Robert Dahlstrom of Apellix will discuss robotic power wash solutions, as well as how unmanned aerial systems equipped with pressure wash capabilities have been integrated into operations. The systems can access difficult-to-reach areas and provide improved cleaning quality while reducing safety risks to personnel. Performance metrics unique to maritime use cases — and emerging trends and pathways for widespread adoption of the systems — will also be explored.  

Military branches representing sea, air, and land applications each experience unique challenges involving corrosion issues and coatings solutions, but they are united in their mission to control and prevent corrosion maintenance expenses. Glenn Arent of NCP Coatings will highlight how the sectors work to reduce this expense, with a particular focus on proper preparation and remediation practices.  

Ship maintenance is evolving in lockstep with the demanding schedules of naval and commercial fleets. Rylee Bernier and Trevor Battersby of JH Norton Company will share how smarter tools and equipment are transforming shipyard operations to reduce downtime, as well as address challenges related to safety risks, persistent corrosion, and scale buildup. Learn how selecting and implementing equipment can maximize productivity, improve maintenance processes, and ensure fleet readiness.  

Finally, surface preparation and maintenance work in confined spaces — and amid stringent safety regulations —can make mobilizing traditional blasting setups difficult. Multiple blast pots, separate vacuum systems, dust collectors, and other cumbersome equipment can increase time and labor costs. Christopher McNamara of Rapid Prep will discuss the impact of rapid mobilization for maritime corrosion maintenance.

Although corrosion persists as a costly challenge within the marine coatings industry, this forum will explore practical realities and solutions for extending service life and reducing lifecycle costs within some of the harshest environments on Earth.  

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