Anti-Slip Solutions for Offshore and Shipbuilding

Offshore anti-slip solutions are slip-resistant surfaces for decks, gangways, stairs and ladders on offshore platforms and ships. These walkways are permanently wet: sea spray, rain, oil and algae growth make them slippery, while sea state and wind make walking safely even harder. Retrofitted anti-slip products improve grip on these surfaces and support your health and safety measures.

Matching protective equipment: Ladder safety shoes (LG) for fixed ladders and companionways, plus rigger and all-terrain safety boots for deck and quayside.

We supply slip-resistant products for decks, walkways, stairs and ladders: GRP anti-slip sheets, GRP grating, ladder rung covers and anti-slip surfaces. Many of them can be retrofitted to existing surfaces, so the load-bearing structure stays in place.

Typical slip hazards on platforms and ships

• Ship decks with water, ice or oil on the walking surface
• Walkways and gangways between modules, platform and vessel
• Grating with a smooth or worn surface
• Companionways, stairs and fixed ladders with wet treads and rungs
• Work areas around winches, cranes and pumps with lubricants
• Transitions, thresholds and edges that are easily overlooked in a swell

Offshore anti-slip: the right solutions for decks, walkways and stairs

GRP anti-slip sheets for offshore platforms

GRP anti-slip sheets with an embedded hard-grit surface are screwed or bonded onto steel plate or grating. GRP is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Walkways get a new, grippy surface without the substructure having to be replaced. Versions with appropriate test certificates for saltwater resistance or fire performance are available on request.

Slip-resistant GRP grating in shipbuilding

Where grating is being installed or replaced, anti-slip grating in GRP is an alternative to steel. Open grating lets water drain away and reduces standing water. For potentially explosive atmospheres, versions with test certificates for ATEX requirements are available on request.

Anti-slip surfaces for ship decks

For closed deck areas, an anti-slip floor coating or non-slip flooring are options. On chequer plate, an anti-slip coating for chequer plate helps. Which option fits depends on the substrate, the loads and the cleaning regime.

Non-slip walkways on offshore platforms

Non-slip walkways on offshore platforms are usually created from a combination of measures: a grippy walking surface, secured edges and clear marking. Self-adhesive anti-slip strips and slip-resistant floor marking make edges and routes clearly visible.

Ladders and companionways

Fixed ladders can be retrofitted with GRP anti-slip ladder rung covers. For stairs and companionways, GRP stair nosing secures step edges and makes them clearly visible.

Custom sizes for vessels and platforms

Decks, hatches and walkways often have one-off dimensions. We produce cut-to-size pieces and shaped parts as custom-made products to your specification.

Selection: what matters

Slip resistance

The German workplace rule ASR A1.5 and its Annex 2 provide a reference point for work areas. It distinguishes slip resistance classes from R9 to R13 and displacement space classes from V4 to V10, tested to DIN EN 16165:2023; older certificates sometimes refer to DIN 51130. Where oil, water and dirt are present on the walking surface, a high rating is often advisable. Please check project by project which rules apply to your vessel or platform.

Substrate

Steel plate, chequer plate, grating and aluminium call for different solutions. Check condition, corrosion and load capacity before retrofitting.

Cleaning

Salt, oil and marine growth must be removed regularly. Coarse surfaces give good grip but are harder to clean. Versions with test certificates for chemical resistance are available on request.

Fixing

With vibration, ship motion and temperature changes, mechanical fixing is often more robust than adhesive alone. Bonding avoids drilling but requires a clean, dry substrate. Please agree any structural modifications with the shipyard, operator or classification society.

How your enquiry works

1. Describe the situation: tell us about the surfaces, steps or rungs concerned, the substrate and the ambient conditions. Photos and approximate dimensions help with the initial assessment.
2. Agree the solution: we propose suitable products, versions and fixing methods, and clarify any test certificates you need at the same time.
3. Receive your quote: you get a tailored quotation with dimensions, quantities and specification – then decide in your own time.

FAQs: offshore anti-slip and shipbuilding

Can anti-slip sheets for offshore platforms be fitted to existing grating?

In many cases, yes. The sheets are screwed or bonded onto grating or plate. Mesh size, load capacity and the condition of the substrate are decisive. We assess suitability based on your information.

Is slip-resistant GRP grating an alternative to steel in shipbuilding?

Yes, in many applications GRP grating is a lighter, corrosion-free alternative to steel. Whether it suits your application depends on load, span and requirements such as fire performance. Versions with the relevant test certificates are available on request.

Which anti-slip surface is right for ship decks?

It depends on the deck material, the loads and the cleaning regime. Coatings are an option for large areas, while bolted-down GRP sheets are often used on heavily trafficked walkways. We’ll advise you on the options.

How do walkways on offshore platforms stay non-slip in the long term?

Walkways stay non-slip in the long term through a combination of a grippy walking surface, secured edges and regular cleaning. The condition of the anti-slip surface should also be included in the installation’s routine inspections.

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Want to make decks, walkways or stairs on a platform or vessel safer? Tell us about your application and we’ll work out which offshore anti-slip solution meets your requirements.