Vessel hull cleaning specialist HullWiper Ltd has earned a reputation as the go-to option due to its ability to remove fouling without damaging expensive coatings or the environment.
Just over five years since its launch in Dubai in late 2013, the company is now firmly established with leading ship owners and operators, has several fleet contracts in place, and is available at a range of locations around the world. But it isn’t all plain sailing.
“The shipping industry is very large, multi-layered and has a long history with many traditions. It is by its nature cautious and conservative,” says Laurance Langdon, HullWiper General Manager. “Sustainability is something quite new, and adapting to it can take time.”
Sailing with a smooth hull ensures lower fuel bills, the single largest cost involved in running a ship. And by improving fuel efficiency, vessels also reduce harmful CO2 emissions. HullWiper’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) cleans vessel subsea surfaces discretely and efficiently without disruption. Instead of divers with brushes, it uses adjustable pressure seawater jets as the cleaning medium, minimising the risk of damage to expensive anti-fouling coatings. In fact, it prolongs the life of coatings and reduces downtime and maintenance costs.
Ship owners who use the ROV benefit from optimal performance and energy efficiency savings, whilst avoiding the expense of recoating due to damage. Cleaning can be conducted day or night, in most weather conditions, and whilst cargo or bunker fuel operations are underway.
Removed residues and harmful materials are captured by an onboard waste filter for environmentally-friendly and approved disposal on land, instead of being discharged into the sea as with traditional methods. That same filter also reduces the risk of cross-pollination of invasive alien species. By eliminating the need for divers, HullWiper reduces the risk to human life. Unfortunately, there are still divers working around the world without proper equipment and training, resulting in injuries and even fatalities.
And yet, some in the shipping industry remain resistant, sceptical or unaware of what HullWiper has to offer. “Our hull cleaning technology is a game changer when it comes to hull cleaning issues,” says Langdon. “Decisions in shipping are still largely commercially driven. This is totally understandable with so many huge costs involved with upgrading existing fleets to comply with ballast water and new fuel regulations. When it comes to hull cleaning, the cost of using HullWiper is already comparable to traditional cleaning methods, and even larger savings can be achieved through fuel efficiency and reduced downtime.”
Global solutions
HullWiper has gone from strength to strength, partly due to its willingness to change its business model along the way. “When we began operations, we were consistently approached about selling or renting out our machines. That’s how we knew we had a winning product that would have global reach,” Langdon explains.
HullWiper now has a thriving leasing programme in place. It currently operates from ports in Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Egypt, Australia, Gibraltar and the UAE, as well as other key locations in the Middle East on an ad hoc basis. Trials are underway in Southampton on the UK south coast as part of a pilot scheme to launch at the port. New operations in Panama and Mauritius are coming in the second quarter of 2019, with advanced discussions going on for other locations.
”With over 800 cleans completed, happy customers and a growing reputation, we are excited about the future,” says Langdon. “We are continuing to investigate key ports worldwide and seek out companies interested in leasing a HullWiper at such locations. New, stricter regulations are already on the horizon, but we believe hull cleaning with technology like HullWiper is the future. And what’s more, it’s available now.”
