‘RevHULLution’ in proactive cleaning
March 2020 saw the launch of Hull Skating Solutions, a unique innovation from Jotun specially
developed to meet industry, regulatory and society demands for ‘always clean’ vessel hulls.
Biofouling is one of the shipping industry’s most pressing
concerns.
The accumulation of aquatic organisms on vessel hulls leads
to increased frictional drag, resulting in significant speed loss
and inefficiency. As a consequence, more fuel is consumed
to maintain speed, meaning higher costs and greater
environmental emissions. Biofouling is also a key driver in
the spread of invasive species, devastating fragile marine
ecosystems worldwide.
Vessels with unpredictable operations, significant idling
time and varied operational profiles are at the greatest risk
of biofouling. It’s these customers Jotun is targeting with
the launch of a revolutionary development in proactive hull
cleaning – Hull Skating Solutions (HSS). In addition to creating
value for owners and managers, the HSS concept is consistent
with Jotun’s efforts to more closely align its business with UN
Sustainability Goals, specifically Number 14 (Life below water)
and Number 13 (Climate action).
BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Developed in partnership with key players in the Norwegian
maritime business cluster, HSS is designed to maintain an
‘always clean’ hull, removing bacteria and biofilm before
macro-fouling can take hold. This optimises hull performance
while diminishing the need for reactive cleaning.
The centrepiece of the solution is the ground-breaking,
always-onboard Jotun HullSkater, the first robotic technology
purposely designed for proactive cleaning. This unit, built
in cooperation with KONGSBERG and Semcon is remotely
controlled via a 4G connection by expert Jotun Skate
Operators. The operators use the unit to inspect and, if
required, proactively clean a specially developed SeaQuantum
Skate antifouling in accordance with condition monitoring
tailored to each individual vessel. A proprietary algorithm
and big data are utilised to help set optimal inspection and
proactive cleaning schedules.
INDUSTRY ENTHUSIASM
Despite the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, HSS
has been well received by a market keen to both demonstrate
their growing environmental commitment, and thus
regulatory compliance, and reduce fuel costs with consistently
clean hulls.
Following on from an extensive multi-year period of pilot
testing with forward-thinking shipowners, HSS is now in
the final stages of commercialisation and a number of initial
contracts have been signed. Leading companies including
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Mediterranean Shipping Company
(MSC), Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Merchant
Marine (HMM) have all signed agreements.
POWERFUL BENEFITS
HSS demonstrates Jotun’s commitment to listen to and
understand key customer challenges, before investing in bold
innovation projects to deliver powerful solutions. In doing so the
company illustrates its mission to Care – supporting shipowner’s
sustainability ambitions, protecting assets, and safeguarding the
environment for the benefit of society as a whole.
Jotun believes huge positive benefits can be achieved if
all vessels within the target market (those facing the most
challenging biofouling conditions) adopt the HSS proactive
cleaning approach. An estimated 40 million tons of maritime
CO2 emissions per annum could be cut worldwide, with a
minimum fuel cost saving per vessel of 13 per cent (over a
five-year drydocking period, compared to typical average
performance).
30 I Jotun Group Report 2020 Customers and innovation / Hull Skating Solutions