Hull Thickness Measurement (UTM) & NDT Testing Services

Structural fatigue, localized corrosion, and material wastage on vessel hulls, bulkheads, and internal tanks can severely compromise seaworthiness, class standing, and structural safety. MP Inspection provides independent 3rd-party Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services for shipowners, shipyards, classification societies, and marine underwriters worldwide.

Key Services & Operational Scope

1. Class-Approved Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM)

Systematic steel plate gauging across hull shell plating, main deck, bottom plating, transverse bulkheads, and tank tops.
Execution of UTM during Class Special Surveys, Intermediate Surveys, and Annual Audits in accordance with IACS requirements.
Sounding pipe, air pipe, and structural stiffener thickness measurement to assess overall structural integrity.

2. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) & Weld Inspection

Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) & Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT): Surface crack detection on critical weld seams, deck fittings, crane pedestals, and engine mounts.
Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (UT): Internal volumetric inspection of full-penetration butt welds, castings, and forgings.
Radiographic Testing (RT) Oversight: Verification of critical structural welds during shipyard construction or major refit projects.

3. Corrosion Mapping & Material Wastage Analysis

Quantitative evaluation of uniform corrosion, pitting intensity, and localized plate dimpling against original building specifications.
Comparison of measured plate thickness values against Class-mandated maximum allowable diminution limits.
Risk assessment and lifetime extension analysis for aging vessels, barges, and offshore structures.

4. Steel Renewal Estimation & Repair Supervision

Precise calculation of required steel renewal quantities, plate weights, and repair locations prior to dry-docking.
Technical oversight of steel fit-up, edge preparation, welding sequence, and NDT verification during shipyard repairs.
Final delivery of official UTM Survey Reports formatted for direct submission to Classification Societies.

International Standards & Compliance

Our UTM and NDT inspection procedures strictly align with recognized international classification society rules and technical standards:

IACS Unified Requirements (UR Z10.1 to UR Z10.5 for Hull Surveys)
ISO 9712 / ASNT Level II & III Qualifications for NDT Technicians
Classification Society Guidelines (DNV, Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, ABS, ClassNK)

Why Choose MP Inspection?

Feature	Client Benefit
IACS-Compliant Reporting	Reports directly accepted by all major IACS classification societies and flag states.
Cost-Effective Steel Schemes	Accurate corrosion mapping prevents unnecessary over-replacement of acceptable steel plates.
Rapid Onboard Deployment	Certified UTM operators available for global shipyard deployment or riding surveys during sea voyages.