THE Covid crisis and port congestion coupled with warm waters mean ships are at an increased risk from biofouling, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
New research from Swedish technology company I-Tech highlights the increasing problems for ship operators caused by biofouling occurring during growing idling periods.
The percentage of ships subject to 'fouling idling' has increased since 2009 from a starting point of 25.4 per cent to a peak of 35.0 per cent in May 2020. researchers said.
In February 2020, 61.8 per cent of idling bulker vessels were located in warm waters with high exposure to marine growth.
The absolute number of vessels idling in the global fleet has doubled between 2009 to 2020.
The research also found that vessels are increasingly idling in biofouling hotspot??, with water temperatures above 25 degrees C.
'External factors such as the economic collapse of 2008, the offshore crisis in 2015, and most recently the COVID pandemic and consequent port congestion will always have some disruptive effect on operations and make predictions difficult,' said I-Tech CEO Philip Chaabane.
'Ship operators must, however, take action to minimize their impact. Most importantly, they must ensure that, after any idling, the vessel is in good condition to perform optimally. Familiarisation with the individual vessel's risks of biofouling based on its operating footprint is a good starting point,' said Mr Chaabane.
'This future-proofing approach to antifouling coating selection, without any certainty of future trade, is exerting great pressure on the coating suppliers, fostering innovation and new approaches towards fouling prevention technology using the active substance Selektope. This is supported by increasing demand from ship owners and operators for antifouling coatings that contain the anti-barnacle active agent.' said Mr Chaabane.
SeaNews Turkey
New research from Swedish technology company I-Tech highlights the increasing problems for ship operators caused by biofouling occurring during growing idling periods.
The percentage of ships subject to 'fouling idling' has increased since 2009 from a starting point of 25.4 per cent to a peak of 35.0 per cent in May 2020. researchers said.
In February 2020, 61.8 per cent of idling bulker vessels were located in warm waters with high exposure to marine growth.
The absolute number of vessels idling in the global fleet has doubled between 2009 to 2020.
The research also found that vessels are increasingly idling in biofouling hotspot??, with water temperatures above 25 degrees C.
'External factors such as the economic collapse of 2008, the offshore crisis in 2015, and most recently the COVID pandemic and consequent port congestion will always have some disruptive effect on operations and make predictions difficult,' said I-Tech CEO Philip Chaabane.
'Ship operators must, however, take action to minimize their impact. Most importantly, they must ensure that, after any idling, the vessel is in good condition to perform optimally. Familiarisation with the individual vessel's risks of biofouling based on its operating footprint is a good starting point,' said Mr Chaabane.
'This future-proofing approach to antifouling coating selection, without any certainty of future trade, is exerting great pressure on the coating suppliers, fostering innovation and new approaches towards fouling prevention technology using the active substance Selektope. This is supported by increasing demand from ship owners and operators for antifouling coatings that contain the anti-barnacle active agent.' said Mr Chaabane.
SeaNews Turkey
