Meticulous Planning and Management

It takes a lot of meticulous planning and management by owners and operators to ensure a cruise vessel runs according to its planned itinerary.

In doing so, they need to consider many factors to give their passengers a smooth sailing experience and be sure that operations behind the scenes are trouble-free. Equipping cruise vessels with world-class technology plays an important role in maximising cost- and energy-efficiency.

And at the same time, the safety of passengers and crew and the need to protect our delicate
marine eco-system against harmful CO2 emissions and biofouling remain priorities. Regulating bodies such as the IMO and ports around the world have introduced stringent rules and regulations to manage and mitigate the effects of invasive marine fouling that hitch a ride on vessel hulls.

Measures to comply with these new requirements have been put in place by some owners and operators in the industry, but there is still more work to be done. Vessel hull cleaning specialist HullWiper Ltd provides an affordable answer that enables cruise operators to protect their bottom line and our oceans. Its advanced Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) removes hull fouling
without damaging expensive coatings or the environment.

“Our Onboard Solution can offer greater flexibility to the provision of cost-effective and
ecologically friendly hull cleaning, enabling cruise vessels to remove fouling on demand,”
says Simon Doran, HullWiper Managing Director. “And in the process, proactive cleaning helps owners and operators minimise the spread of biofouling and reduce CO2 emissions.”

Cruise vessels on a tight schedule can perform a partial or full hull clean on a planned rotation, or clean at every stop without interrupting their timetables or inconveniencing passengers. The ROV can be included in the design phase for newbuilds by way of an on-deck solution, door or hatch in
the side of the hull, or through a moon pool.

Sailing with a smooth hull ensures lower fuel bills, the single largest cost involved in running
a cruise ship and reduces harmful CO2 emissions. HullWiper’s 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.

Cruise owners and operators 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 passenger disembark 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 marine species. By eliminating the need for divers, HullWiper reduces the risk to human life.

Since its launch in late 2013, HullWiper has expanded from its first base in Dubai to include ports in Australia, Denmark, Egypt, Gibraltar, Mauritius, UAE, Norway, Panama, Qatar, Singapore, Spain and Sweden. Plans are in the pipeline for new locations including Sri Lanka, Korea, South Africa, Chile and Bahamas. HullWiper is also available for lease where the company does not have its own base.

For more information about what HullWiper can do for you and your cruise liner, go to
www.hullwiper.co.

Source: Seatrade Cruise Magazine