Enclosures for marine,
ports & offshore

A marine climate forgives no compromises

Corrosivity category C5-M — that is how the standards classify coastal and offshore atmospheres. Chlorides in salt spray creep under paint, attack zinc and turn scratches into rust spots. Only the right materials help: anodised, seawater-resistant aluminium — at ZPAS the saltwater-resistant version of the SZD outdoor series — and AISI 316/316L stainless steel with molybdenum for the harshest zones, available from the stainless steel range.

Then there is the construction: double-walled damping against the sun on open ground, condensation protection by a heater, sealed cable entries from below and stainless steel fixings right down to the foundation frame.

Typical applications

Requirements — clearly classified

Standards in a marine climate

How aggressive a site is, is described by the corrosivity category to EN ISO 12944: port and coastal environments typically fall into C4 to C5-M — the harshest level, with constant salt exposure. The resistance of material and coating is verified by a salt spray test to ISO 9227, for each project and version. Then there is the degree of protection to EN 60529 (IP 54/55, SWN Inox IP 65) and impact resistance IK10 to EN 62262 for tough port operations.

When it comes to choosing the material, two routes lead to the goal: seawater-resistant, anodised aluminium in the saltwater-resistant SZD version — or AISI 316 stainless steel where splashing water and cleaning agents come together. The materials guide helps you decide.

Which enclosure for which application on the coast?

Typical project: control systems on the quayside

Starting point: a port operator is modernising the control of loading and lighting equipment along the quayside. The cabinets stand unprotected in salt spray, wind pushes moisture into every joint, at night the equipment cools below the dew point — and during the day heavy machinery operates right next to it.

The solution: saltwater-resistant SZD cabinets in IK10, double-walled against solar load, with a thermostat-controlled heater against condensation and cable entry from below. Where splashing water and cleaning come into play, AISI 316 stainless steel takes over; the port IT sits in the climate-controlled outdoor server cabinet. Material version and salt spray verification to ISO 9227 are documented for each project.

Condensation: the silent enemy in a marine climate

Corrosion rarely starts with the big wave — but with condensation that settles on cold surfaces night after night. Salt in the air makes it conductive and aggressive. Three building blocks help: the rear ventilation of the double wall, which caps temperature peaks, a thermostat-controlled heater that keeps the interior air above the dew point, and sealing levels that keep spray out without making the cabinet airtight. This keeps the equipment dry — even after years on the pier.

The same logic applies to offshore supply — shore installations, base ports, service buildings and deliveries to shipyards: classify the site by corrosivity category, choose the material accordingly, document the evidence for each project. Applications directly on board or on platforms are individually assessed and specified before any commitment is made — with a specification instead of catalogue promises.

Planning checklist: enclosures for marine & offshore supply

These points should be clarified before the tender:

• Corrosivity category: classify the site to EN ISO 12944 (C4/C5-M) — it determines material and verification.
• Choice of material: anodised aluminium (saltwater-resistant SZD version) or AISI 316 — depending on splashing water and cleaning.
• Condensation: plan a heater with thermostat and rear ventilation — in a marine climate, the dew point is the most common cause of damage.
• Mechanics: IK10, concealed hinges, collision protection — port operations are rough.
• Cable entry: from below, with spare capacity — and sealed against salt.
• Evidence: request a salt spray test to ISO 9227 and material documentation for each project.

Why ZPAS

Because every replacement on the coast is expensive: ZPAS designs material, sealing and thermal management for decades — for each project, in any special size, direct from the factory. Reference environments range from a Baltic marina to port logistics.