CUPS (corrosion under pipe supports) is particularly problematic in offshore and coastal facilities because the support interface concentrates multiple corrosion drivers in one location: mechanical stress from wave motion and equipment vibration, persistent humidity and salt exposure, and tight crevices that retain moisture and restrict airflow. Over time, relative movement between pipe and support can erode protective coatings, exposing bare metal. Once moisture and chlorides are retained at the interface, localized corrosion can accelerate in a difficult-to-access area—raising the risk of leaks, unplanned repairs, and downtime. 

This article explains the dominant mechanisms that make offshore support points vulnerable—mechanical wear and coating loss, crevice corrosion promoted by trapped moisture, and galvanic corrosion caused by metal-to-metal contact in saline conditions. It then describes the RedLineIPS SmartPad System as an interface-focused mitigation approach intended for maritime service where speed of installation and maintainability matter. The system combines an FRP saddle-style SmartPad with recessed band grooves, a bonded Hydroseal gasket designed to create a watertight seal when compressed, and composite SmartBands/buckles installed using the SmartTool. Key design goals include distributing load to reduce point-loading and coating damage, interrupting electrical continuity at the contact region, and enabling quick removal and reinstallation for proactive visual inspections.

Key mechanisms covered

• Mechanical stress & coating wear from wave action, vibration, thermal expansion, and fluid flow at support contact points 
• Crevice corrosion driven by restricted airflow and trapped moisture in tight pipe–support interfaces 
• Galvanic corrosion from metal-to-metal contact in the presence of salt and moisture 
• Moisture accumulation / poor ventilation effects that sustain corrosive electrolyte films at the support footprint 
• Inspection access as a corrosion risk factor (solutions that hinder inspection increase likelihood of late detection)