Hull Cleaning in the UAE

Who the HULL is HullWiper?

First launched in Dubai in November 2013, HullWiper’s green technology provides a safe, eco-friendly and affordable hull cleaning solution for ship owners and operators that include increased operational efficiency and reduced fuel costs for vessels as a result of a cleaner, lighter hull. Combine this with minimising the harmful output of CO2 emissions and curbing the spread of foreign invasive marine species, you have a winning formula with sustainable solutions to protect our oceans and fragile marine ecosystem.

HullWiper’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is operated by highly skilled and trained technicians landside, on a barge or offshore support vessel. High-pressure adjustable seawater jets spray directly onto a ship's hull at a very high velocity to dislodge waste materials without damaging costly anti-fouling coatings.

Unlike traditional hull cleaning methods that discharge removed biofouling into the sea, HullWiper’s diver and brush free solution captures all removed marine growths and residues into an onboard filter unit which is then deposited into dedicated drums onshore, for collection by a locally-approved environmental waste disposal company.

Booking a clean with HullWiper means that vessels will not face delays in their tight timelines or sailing schedules as cleaning can be conducted day or night, in most weather conditions and whilst cargo or bunker fuel operations are underway.

Spreading the net far and wide in the UAE

Hull Cleaning in Jebel Ali

A gateway between the Western Hemisphere and the Far East, Jebel Ali is the largest manmade harbour in the world. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, this port is home to 67 berths and has projected that by 2030 it will be able to handle a capacity of 55 million TEUs.

HullWiper’s easy-to-operate machine allows hull cleaning to be carried out during cargo discharge or loading, dramatically reducing the need for downtime or schedule disruptions.

HullWiper’s innovative features have earned it permission from the UAE Environmental Department and DP World to perform vertical side cleaning operations in inner harbours at all quays inside the port of Jebel Ali and are the only permitted vessel hull cleaning solution allowed in this port.

OPERATING INFORMATION AT JEBEL ALI PORT

• HullWiper cannot operate at Oil and Gas terminals
• As a result of seabed debris inside the port, flat-bottom cleaning may only be carried out at Anchorage
• Other services available include hull inspections with video playback recording, propeller polishing and niche area cleaning.

Hull Cleaning in Port Khalid, Sharjah & Port Rashid

Overlooking the Gulf of Oman to the east and the Arabian Gulf to the west, Sharjah is home to one of the UAE’s prime deepwater harbours that have the ability to accommodate all kinds of cargoes and vessels.

Originally Dubai’s first commercial port until 2018, Port Rashid is a manmade cruise terminal that possesses a depth of 13 meters (43 ft) and is the permanent home of the former ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth 2.

In June 2014, HullWiper launched its green, clean hull cleaning solution in Port Khalid and Port Rashid.

OPERATING INFORMATION AT PORT KHALID, SHARJAH & PORT RASHID

• Hull cleaning cannot be carried out on the same side while bunker fuel transfers or deliveries are underway.
• Flat-bottom cleaning of vessels may only be carried out at Anchorage.
• Hull cleaning can only continue once the bunker barge has cast off.
• HullWiper cannot operate at Gas or Oil Terminals
• Hull inspections and vertical side cleaning performed by HullWiper are subject to the above restrictions

Hull Cleaning in Port of Fujairah

This multipurpose port offers access to major shipping routes around the world and is home to the biggest livestock shipping companies on the planet. Situated on the Indian Ocean coast just before the Straits of Hormu, Fujairah is the only United Arab Emirates port outside of the Middle East Gulf.

OPERATING INFORMATION AT PORT OF FUJAIRAH

• Vessel hull cleaning cannot be carried out on the same side while bunker fuel deliveries or transfers are underway.
• Cleaning cannot take place at Gas or Oil terminals.
• Only once the bunker barge has cast off can hull cleaning continue.

WITH HULLWIPER YOU SAVE

It is well documented that marine fouling on a ship’s hull increases friction, reduces vessel speed and fuel efficiency dramatically. An estimated 180 million tonnes of fuel is consumed by the global fleet each year, of which 20% or more is subject to a “fuel penalty”. During a time where bunker fuel prices are increasing daily, keeping hulls free from harmful organisms to reduce these expenses is a priority.

Our online fuel savings calculator takes into account your vessel size, vessel type, engine type and power, fuel type and cost, charter rates as well as voyage information. Taking this into account, our system calculates the hull area, HullWiper’s cost and formulates a detailed overview of how much traditional diver cleaning will cost (including the cost of the vessel off-hire while the job is being completed as well as damage to anti-fouling coating) compared to cleaning with the ROV.

Below are three examples of potential fuel savings over a two-year period of underwater hull cleaning*

• 50,000dwt diesel tanker: 1,900 tons = USD 484,500.00

• 50,000dwt steam tanker: 2,500 tons = USD 637,500.00

• 200,000dwt steam tanker: 3,200 tons = USD 816,000.00

*Data accurate at the time of publishing

Find out what HullWiper can do for you and your fleet and, get in touch via [email protected] or click here to try out our fuel savings calculator.