AkzoNobel | Restoring an Icon of Scottish Shipbuilding

Restoration work has started on an iconic steamship regarded as the vanguard of 1930s Scottish engineering. TS Queen Mary is being transformed into one of the UK’s largest interactive maritime exhibits with help from AkzoNobel’s Marine Coatings business.

Built in 1933 and the last of its class in the world, the 252ft vessel is set to become a five star visitor attraction which will make a major social contribution to the City of Glasgow.

“We are proud to be involved in restoring such an iconic vessel,” said Oscar Wezenbeek, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Marine Coatings business. “The Queen Mary is a legacy of Scotland’s great shipbuilding industry and will be a world class example of maritime heritage conservation.”

Added Iain Sim, trustee of the Friends of TS Queen Mary charity, who saved the vessel from being scrapped in 2015: “The paint on any ship serves more than just a cosmetic purpose, it is essential to protect the vessel from salt water and the weather. AkzoNobel brings centuries of expertise, giving us absolute confidence the meticulous and delicate job of repainting the Queen Mary will be handled with the utmost care and attention.”

Specialist coatings supplied by AkzoNobel’s International brand are being applied to the ship at dry dock in Greenock. When the work is complete, she will be berthed on the River Clyde at the heart of Glasgow’s Finnieston hub. Visitors will then be able to experience the heritage, design and culture of the art deco 1930s.

Continued Wezenbeek: “By providing sustainable, high performance coatings, we are sure TS Queen Mary can continue to be enjoyed and admired in all her glory and help to inspire future generations for many years to come.”

AkzoNobel’s involvement in the project highlights the work the company is doing as part of its global Human Cities initiative. Focused on improving, energizing and regenerating urban communities across the world, the program is an active expression of the company’s purpose to create everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring.

Learn more about this and other AkzoNobel Human Citites initiative.