After seven years in Baltic conditions, Finbo Cargo’s Ecospeed-coated cargo deck remains in excellent condition

Seven years after Ecospeed was applied to the open cargo deck of Eckerö Line’s ro-ro passenger ferry Finbo Cargo, the coating remains in excellent condition despite continuous exposure to heavy cargo traffic and harsh Baltic weather conditions. The long-term performance of the coating confirms the positive results already observed during the first year of service and demonstrates its ability to provide lasting protection in one of the most demanding operating environments aboard a vessel.

The story began in 2019 when Eckerö Line selected Ecospeed to protect the open cargo deck of Finbo Cargo against the constant wear and tear caused by vehicles, trailers and cargo. After the first year of operation, the results were already impressive.

Eckerö Line, part of the Finnish-owned Eckerö Group, operates passenger and cargo services across the Baltic Sea between Helsinki and Tallinn. The company plays an important role in connecting Finland with European markets, providing regular freight services as well as passenger transport between the two capitals.

“We coated the weather deck with good result,” said Mr. Olsén, Technical Manager with Eckerö Group, at the time. “After one year in traffic and many thousands of cargo tons there are no failures to the coating at all.”

The excellent performance prompted Eckerö to expand the use of Ecospeed in 2020, applying the coating to the vessel’s ice belt and large sections of the hull. The decision was driven not only by the cargo deck results but also by the company’s desire to reduce future maintenance requirements.

“We decided to choose a system that initially costs a bit more but in the end saves us a lot in maintenance cost,” explained Mr. Olsén. “That is an important factor for us since our dockings are mainly done during winter in bad weather conditions when the quality of repair work to the paint system cannot be guaranteed.”

Seven years later, the condition of the cargo deck demonstrates the value of that decision. Open cargo decks are subjected to constant abrasion, impacts and exposure to the elements, often requiring regular repairs and recoating. Yet the Ecospeed application aboard Finbo Cargo continues to perform exceptionally well under the demanding conditions of the Helsinki–Tallinn route.

The vessel also underwent an Ice Class upgrade in 2020, leading Eckerö to seek a coating capable of withstanding the severe ice conditions encountered in the Baltic Sea. At the time, Mr. Olsén noted: “We decided quite fast that we needed a coating that we knew could handle the ice conditions in the Baltic Sea.” The proven resistance of Ecospeed to ice abrasion and mechanical impact made it a natural choice.

While no recent inspection information is currently available for the ice belt and hull sections coated in 2020, the condition of the original cargo deck after seven years of intensive service provides compelling evidence of Ecospeed’s durability and long-term protective capabilities.

The experience aboard Finbo Cargo demonstrates that Ecospeed is not only suited to underwater hull protection but can also deliver outstanding results in areas exposed to severe mechanical wear. Seven years after application, the cargo deck remains a testament to the coating’s durability and to Eckerö’s decision to invest in a long-term solution rather than a conventional coating system requiring frequent maintenance.