Tank coating & tank lining
Internal linings and external coatings for storage tanks. From blasting to holiday testing, delivered on terminals in Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebrugge. VCA & ISO certified.
Tank protection is core business at Russo NV. In recent years we lined and coated dozens of storage tanks on Belgian terminals: 15 tanks at Sea Tank Terminal in the Port of Antwerp, 16 new-build tanks at Ghent Transport & Storage and 8 tanks at ITC Rubis in Zeebrugge. Internal and external, for fuels, chemicals and petroleum products.
A tank lining is in permanent contact with the stored product and forgives no mistakes. That is why we deliver the entire scope in-house, from gas-freeing and blasting to the final holiday test, with a complete measurement dossier at handover. And your terminal keeps running while we work.
What our tank coating covers
Internal tank linings
Chemically resistant systems (epoxy phenolic, epoxy novolac, glass flake reinforced) for immersion service, matched to the stored product.
External tank coating
Multi-coat systems against corrosion, UV and sea air (up to class C5-M), for tank shells, roofs and steel structures.
Tank roofs & anti-slip
Roof coatings against the weather and anti-slip systems for walkways and access zones on the tank.
Spot repair & refurbishment
Local repair of damaged linings, including vacuum blasting: no grit spread, minimal impact on the terminal.
Confined-space blasting
Blasting to Sa 2½ or Sa 3 inside the tank, with salt and dust testing (ISO 8502) and a controlled climate.
Inspection & dossier
Film thickness measurements (ISO 19840), holiday detection and reporting: demonstrable quality for owner and inspector.
How we work
Every tank follows the same controlled sequence, because in immersion service one weak spot is one too many.
- 01
Gas-free & inspection
Atmospheric testing, permits and assessment of floor, shell and weld seams before work starts.
- 02
Blasting
Blasting to the specified cleanliness grade, with salt and dust checks before coating.
- 03
Climate control
Dehumidification and ventilation keep the steel above the dew point, from first blast to final coat.
- 04
Application
Stripe coats on weld seams and corners, then spray application to the specified film thickness.
- 05
Holiday test & handover
Holiday detection, film thickness checks and a complete measurement dossier at handover.
Why Russo NV
Certified
VCA and ISO 9001, working to ISO 8501/8502, ISO 19840 and AMPP inspection standards.
Terminal references
39 tanks coated for Sea Tank Terminal, Ghent Transport & Storage and ITC Rubis, internal and external.
Measurable quality
Cleanliness grade, salts, film thickness and holiday testing: everything is measured and reported.
Minimal downtime
Phased execution on live terminals, planned around your operations and product handling.
Frequently asked questions
What does tank coating cost?+
The price depends on the tank surface area, the condition of the existing coating, the required lining system and accessibility. Because every tank differs, we provide a tailored quote after an inspection or based on your specification.
How long is a tank out of service?+
Allow several weeks for a full reline: gas-freeing, blasting, coating in multiple coats and chemical curing. We phase the work so the rest of the terminal keeps operating.
Which lining systems do you use?+
Depending on the stored product: epoxy, epoxy phenolic, epoxy novolac or glass flake reinforced systems. The coating manufacturer’s resistance list determines the choice; we never deviate from it.
Do you work on live terminals?+
Yes. Most of our tank projects run on active terminals, as at Sea Tank Terminal, GTS and ITC Rubis. Safety procedures, phasing and coordination with terminal operations are part of our standard approach.
What is a holiday test?+
A pinhole test that finds invisible pores in the lining using a low-voltage or high-voltage detector. In immersion service this test is essential: one missed pore is enough for local through-rusting. With us, no tank returns to service without a passed test.
Do you repair existing linings?+
Yes. With local damage our team blasts the zones locally (including vacuum blasting), rebuilds the system coat by coat and re-tests the repaired zones. That way the full lining does not need to be replaced right away.
Related services
A tank project coming up?
Send us your specification or schedule an inspection. You will receive a clear quote for tank coating or tank lining, with approach and timing.
Request a quote