Dry Ice Blasting for Marine and Shipyard Applications
Shipyards face containment rules, confined spaces, and salt-driven corrosion. Dry ice blasting cleans without generating spent abrasive waste to collect and dispose of.
The dominant cost in shipyard blasting is not the blasting — it is the containment and disposal of spent abrasive, especially where coatings contain heavy metals. Dry ice removes that whole waste stream: the media becomes gas, so the only waste is the coating or contamination itself, at a fraction of the volume.
Applications
- Engine rooms — oil, soot, and grime on machinery and overheads
- Bilges and voids where water introduction is undesirable
- Deck machinery, winches, and hydraulic units
- Weld prep and post-weld cleaning on fabricated assemblies
- Selective coating removal on hull and superstructure sections
- Electrical spaces, switchboards, and cable runs
Waste volume math
A grit blasting job generates spent abrasive plus removed coating — commonly ten or more pounds of waste per pound of coating removed. With dry ice, the removed coating is the waste. Where the coating is regulated, that difference dominates the project cost comparison.
Confined space discipline
Shipboard spaces are the highest-risk CO₂ environment there is: enclosed, below the waterline, with limited egress. Continuous monitoring, mechanical ventilation exhausting from the lowest point, and an attendant at the access are non-negotiable on marine work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dry ice fully strip a hull for recoating?+
It removes contamination and many coatings, but it does not create an anchor profile. Full recoat specs generally still require abrasive profiling.
Is it used on aluminum vessels?+
Yes — it is non-abrasive and does not warp or profile aluminum at appropriate settings.
Does salt residue come off?+
Soluble salt removal typically still requires a water-based step; verify with a salt test if your coating spec requires it.
For coating and prep scoping, see surface preparation services.
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