"Introduction Following the continuing loss@ sometimes without a trace@ of ships carrying solid bulk cargoes and the heavy loss of life caused by such accidents@ the IMO Assembly@ in early 1990@ requested the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) to develop requirements for the design@ construction@ operation@ maintenance and survey of bulk carriers and specific precautionary measures with respect to type of cargoes. Consequently@ extensive deliberations of the issues involved took place at the MSC meetings over a number of years and a raft of measures@ many derived from Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) studies conducted by various Member States of IMO@ were considered. One of the many items on the list was ""Improved coatings: Controls and/or performance standards for protective coatings@ in relation to compatibility with cargoes"". This publication contains the following mandatory and non-mandatory performance standards and guidelines developed as a result of the above considerations: .1 Guidelines for the selection@ application and maintenance of corrosion prevention systems of dedicated seawater ballast tanks (resolution A.798(19)) These Guidelines were adopted by the nineteenth IMO Assembly in 1995 and@ recognizing the importance of correctly applied and maintained corrosion prevention systems in dedicated seawater ballast tanks which are more susceptible to corrosion for the improvement of ship safety@ recommend general criteria for the selection@ application and maintenance of corrosion prevention systems of dedicated seawater ballast tanks of bulk carriers and oil tankers. .2 Performance standard for protective coatings for dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all types of ships and double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers (resolution MSC.215(82)) This performance standard was adopted by the MSC in 2006 and is mandatory under the SOLAS Convention. It took effect on 1 July 2008 upon entry into force of the associated amendments to SOLAS regulations II-1/3-2 and XII/6 and provides technical requirements for protective coatings in dedicated seawater ballast tanks of all types of ships of not less than 500 gross tonnage and double-side skin spaces arranged in bulk carriers of 150 m in length and upwards. .3 Performance standard for protective coatings for void spaces on bulk carriers and oil tankers (resolution MSC.244(83)) This performance standard was adopted by the MSC in 2007 and provides technical requirements for protective coatings for void spaces constructed of steel in bulk carriers and oil tankers. .4 Guidelines for corrosion protection of permanent means of access arrangements (MSC.1/Circ.1279) These guidelines were approved by the MSC in 2008 and provide relevant recommendations for permanent means of access in dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all types of ships@ double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers and for void spaces@ taking into account whether or not they are part of the structural strength elements. .5 Guidelines for maintenance and repair of protective coatings (MSC.1/Circ.1330) These Guidelines were approved by the MSC in 2009 and provide relevant recommendations to assist surveyors@ shipowners@ shipyards@ flag Administrations and other interested parties involved in the survey@ assessment and repair of protective coatings in ballast tanks."