| Category | Chemistry & Nanotechnology |
| Keywords | Maritime industry, biofouling, vessel |
Application
Biofouling is one of the main pathways for introducing non-native marine species. However, biofouling growth on vessels’ hulls is not only a threat to marine biodiversity but also a long-standing operational problem for the maritime industry. It impacts vessel speed, propulsion, and ultimately fuel consumption and atmospheric emissions. Extensive vessel biofouling can increase engine wear, affects intakes and internal seawater systems requiring earlier and more frequent maintenance and asset management costs than would otherwise be needed. Some even argue that reduced vessel speed and longer voyages means increasing crew costs relative to the distance of travel routes. Therefore, the impact of biofouling costs the commercial shipping sector $100 billion annually.
Currently, there are many different solutions to protect the vessel hull, such as advanced materials, coating, ultrasonic devices, thermal solutions, ozone, etc. Each technology has its pros and cons as CAPEX: OPEX ratio, efficiency, maintenance, etc. But it is clear today that no technology can be a silver bullet for the maritime industry.
Our Innovation
Our solution for an effective management of vessel biofouling has major advantages, such as:
- Efficient biofouling reduction material during the annual maintenance of the vessel
- Support a long prevention effect of the existing biofouling reduction equipment on the board: efficient synergy between our solution and existing equipment (retrofit)
- Cheaper solution than the existing ones
- Technology efficiency was proved in the laboratory conditions and one field POC test.
Technology
Our technology represents a simple chemical washing of the hull with our unique oxidation material. Our oxidation material acts as a disconnection material between the biological material and the hull and also as a vegetation control that eliminates all the biofouling on the hull’s surface.
Opportunity
We are seeking for a partner in the maritime industry maintenance that could help us to reach a full-scale POC with an actual vessel and monitoring long-term results, including impact on the biofouling and the material (hull materials and structure). After a dedicated analysis, our technology could be used by the big companies in the field of maritime industry and help solve the economic and environmental issues of vessel biofouling.
