Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) reports that 28 employees are now certified coating inspectors (Level 2) with the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE). It has 141 NACE/FROSIO certificates, the largest number among shipbuilding companies.

NACE is internationally recognized for education and certification of cathodic protection, coatings for industry and material selection for specific chemical resistance. FROSIO, under the auspices of the Norwegian Professional Council for Education and Certification of Inspectors for Surface Treatment certifies inspectors in accordance with the Norwegian Standard NS 476 and runs one of the leading training programmes for coating advisors.

Four HHI employees took Korea’s first certifications from FROSIO in 2000. Since 2000,  10 to 20 employees have received NACE or FROSIO certificates every year. They typically secure work as Quality Inspector or in Design, Production and R&D.

The shipbuilding environment is changing quickly as the International Maritime Organization has applied Performance Standards for Protective Coatings since July 2008 and shipowners’ needs have become more complicated.

“90% of HHI’s coating inspectors have the NACE or FROSIO certificate. The others are expected to be the certified coating inspectors in the next year. It will give us an advantage over our competitors,” said HHI official.