More shipowners, operators and maritime service providers are recognising the value of advanced hull cleaning solutions to address environmental and financial considerations
The hull maintenance sector is growing rapidly at the moment, mainly due to regulatory pressures and technological advances. John Armstrong, managing director of leading remotely operated vehicle (ROV) hull cleaning technology supplier HullWiper, observes: “Demand for hull cleaning services is rising as shipowners seek to improve efficiency while complying with environmental standards. This is being driven by increasing awareness of the importance of clean hulls, which contribute to lower carbon emissions and a reduced environmental footprint.”
Stricter regulations to curb invasive aquatic species (IAS) and environmental damage, coupled with the financial benefits of reduced fuel consumption from clean hulls, are further boosting this demand. “While ROVs currently cannot fulfil the entire spectrum of cleaning required by various conventions, they are crucial in modern hull maintenance solutions,” says Armstrong. “The preference for ROVs over full diver teams is driven by the improved time constraints and safety level, making them a preferred choice in the market.”
A number of countries and regions have taken specific actions, which the HullWiper network is responding to. For example, Australia has implemented stringent biofouling regulations to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Ships are required to submit a Biofouling Management Plan (BFMP) in accordance with IMO guidelines, detailing biofouling management strategies, including practices and antifouling systems (AFS) used for the hull and niche areas, documented in the Biofouling Record Book (BFRB). HullWiper’s lease partner in Australia, K-Rov, provides specialist solutions along the East Coast, including hull cleaning and inspection, in compliance with state and federal biosecurity laws and regulations.
Another location where HullWiper is active is Mauritius, which is involved in the IMO GloFouling Project, which aims to manage IAS on vessel hulls. The Mauritius Green Port Initiative emphasises emissions reduction, energy conservation and pollution prevention, requiring advanced hull cleaning equipment to ensure discharged water is free of organisms. The Mauritius Port Authority enforces compliance, offering reduced port dues for eco-friendly practices and revoking licenses for non-compliance.
HullWiper’s East Africa partner, Immersub, provides hull cleaning solutions at Port Louis with an ROV team, allowing vessels to minimise port fees and off-hire time by staying just 24-48 hours. Armstrong says: “Whilst initially hesitant, customers in Mauritius have increasingly adopted ROV technologies due to their efficiency, continuous operation, reduced risk to expensive coatings and compliance with stricter regulations aimed at reducing carbon footprints and IAS spread.”
In Scandinavia, HullWiper’s partner in Gothenburg, Frog Marine Services, is working with the local authorities in Malmö, Sweden, to obtain permission for vessel cleaning in the port, a process that has proven challenging due to stringent environmental regulations and the need for thorough assessments. The company is also now experimenting with top-side filtration using HullWiper technology.
In the UAE, HullWiper has been granted permission from the UAE Environmental Department and DP World to perform vertical side cleaning operations at all quays inside the port of Jebel Ali, making it, the company claims, the only permitted vessel hull cleaning solution in this port. In a particularly interesting project, the HullWiper UAE team recently employed two container used HullWiper systems simultaneously for the first time. Armstrong says: “We successfully cleaned the vertical sides of a 350m-long vessel with a 14m draft in 10-11 hours, demonstrating the efficiency and capability of our systems in demanding conditions.”
Hull cleaning in South Korea is highly regulated to prevent illegal operations by divers that can contaminate local waters with biofouling. HullWiper’s South Korean partners have designed and developed Esther, an eco-friendly vessel that transports two HullWiper ROV units to ports in Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Masan, Jinhae, Yeosu and Gwangyang. Deploying two HullWiper ROVs simultaneously saves time for shipowners and operators, halving the required cleaning time, the company says.
Panama’s Green Connection Environmental Recognition Programme is another regional effort promoting sustainable maritime practices. It rewards customers who demonstrate excellent environmental stewardship and encourages others to implement technologies and standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As well as offering hull cleaning services at the port of Balboa, HullWiper’s partner Talleres Industriales has to regularly manage last-minute requests from clients who book a transit through the Panama Canal and require vertical cleaning just before the pilot arrives for northbound transit. These bookings, typically made within 12 hours before transit, demand rapid response and deployment of cleaning services. Despite tight schedules, the cleaning operations are usually performed within 6-8 hours, with client feedback highlighting a noticeable improvement in fuel efficiency of up to 10-20% post-cleaning, the company reports.
HullWiper indicates that it is currently working on a number of initiatives to make its ROV cleaning unit even more efficient, allowing it to clean faster and more effectively. Currently, a modular add-on is being trialled with an updated surface filter system for locations that require a higher degree of filtration. This system includes potential additional features such as UV filtration and larger capacity for heavy fouling, including barnacles. The company is further developing its ROV unit to be more robust and user-friendly in terms of maintenance, while reducing downtime by extending the lifespan of components, and is enhancing the capture system to meet increasingly stringent regulations.
HullWiper is currently available at ports in Panama, Sweden, Denmark, Gibraltar, the UAE, Mauritius, South Korea and Australia. The company also plans to expand its network of lease partners to South America before the end of 2024. Armstrong says: “Our lease scheme offers a commercially viable opportunity for both existing and new companies to obtain the latest ROV hull cleaning technology, which might otherwise be out of reach. Our goal is to make ROV technology accessible to everyone, benefiting the environment and the shipping industry.”
Interest in leasing the ROV technology is being underpinned by strong demand from shipowners and operators for this type of services. As Armstrong concludes: “Our services are being adopted by a diverse range of industry-related entities, including cruise ships, tankers and bulk carriers. Even some large hull coating companies are seeking a hull clean through us for their customers.”
