90% of global trade is transported by ship and almost 90% of the EU’s external trade is carried by sea. In addition 40% of the internal trade is done by ship connecting two of the 1,200 merchant ports along the EU coastline.
The formation of fouling on ships increases the surface roughness of the hull, which leads to increased fuel consumption. After six months, a ship without an appropriate antifouling system can suffer a 40% increase in fuel consumption to maintain normal speed.
At DELCO TS, we envisaged UltraBoat as a durable and reliable solution to avoid the formation of fouling (bio-fouling) on ships (attachment of marine animal and plants to the surface of underwater parts of the vessel).
Antifouling also requires specific maintenance because current solutions are not durable enough. Nowadays the ship owners need to periodically re-apply antifouling coatings. Apart from the fact that these coatings are in constant surveillance due to the release of harmful substances, the process requires dry docking the ship (at least every 5 years) for a period of usually 10-12 days. Although antifouling treatment is only a part of this maintenance, it has a big impact on the total operating costs of transport ships. Annual costs resulting from fouling represent more than 350,000€ for a single vessel of medium size (90-120,000 of Gross registered tonnage, GRT).
DELCO TS, as engineers and manufacturers of equipment for the treatment and finishing of metal surfaces since 2007. At DELCO we have specific hands on experience in ultrasonic technology right from the conception, design to the assembly of cleaning systems. With more than 100 satisfied clients and an extensive network of collaborators. In the maritime transport sector, we have dealt with shipping companies such as Vroon in the Netherlands which operates 160 ships ranging from off-shore support vessels to dry cargo vessels of 229 m length, and the Carnival group, which is the largest cruise ship operator in the world.
Overall UltraBoat Objectives
UltraBoat aims to avoid fouling formation on the hull of commercial ships through the use of advanced technology that will entail the installation of remote-controlled ultrasonic modules, allowing ship owners to reduce operating costs in more than 700,000€ per year for a large cargo vessel.
In order to provide the maritime transport sector with our technology, we need to scale up starting from our prototype install the system in a large size cargo vessel to assess its performance, and adjust the frequency of ultrasound and the remote control unit in the operating environment. In addition, a key aspect for this novel technology to be introduced successfully in the maritime transport sector is the certification by specialized bodies that UltraBoat fully complies with the standards specified for the sector (MARPOL, MED and SOLAS) as will be detailed later. The main characteristics that UltraBoat will provide:
• 100% avoidance of fouling on the ship’s hull (meaning no increase in fuel consumption).
• Durable solution with very low maintenance. By eliminating the application of coatings dry docking might be reduced by up to 2 days (representing average savings in operation costs of 2 M€ in every 5 years).
• Non-polluting (no leaching of toxic substances to sea waters) complying with AFS regulation, safe for marine life.
