New hull-cleaning technology to cut fuel consumption
Commercial Diving Services' Hull Service Treatment (HST) uses hot water instead of traditional abrasives.
The HST aims to cut fuel consumption and ultimately greenhouse gas emissions.
Research from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has shown that a large vessel heavily fouled needs 40% more fuel to maintain 20 knots, said local reports.
“If 5% of a 250,000 tonne oil tanker is fouled, fuel costs increase 17%,” said the IMO.
Reports say worldwide interest in the HST has been growing rapidly.
Commercial Diving Services was earlier this year honoured with the Eco-Innovation in Business Award by the Futureworld Eco-Technology Centre at Coniston.
And just last week, the HST technology won three Australian Business Awards for best new product, innovation and best eco-friendly product.
According to local reports, the HST system uses the "thermal shock" of hot sea-water to kill marine slime, bacteria and algal growth and leaves it attached to a ship's hull.
Once the ship leaves port the material is removed by the hydraulic force of ocean and wave action.
The process eliminates the need to use abrasives that can damage or remove anti-fouling paint and reduces the risk of ports being polluted, said the Illawarra Mercury.
Anti-fouling reportedly costs shipowners worldwide about $1.85 billion a year.
A Commercial Diving Services spokesman says recent surveys suggested that the average fouling resistance for a commercial ship is 30% if the condition is not corrected.
“It appears that at least 10% may be saved in average fuel costs if regular anti-fouling procedures are undertaken and for an average ship which burns 100 tonnes of fuel per day, that represents a saving of around $5,800 a day,” he was quoted saying.