Are Underwater Marine Services Environmentally Sustainable?
The future of the maritime industry must be sustainable if we are to protect the world’s ecosystems and slow climate change. Throughout the marine industry, it is essential to maintain vessels and conduct regular inspections to ensure everything runs smoothly. Underwater inspections are vital to guarantee the running of ships and a team of qualified experts will conduct underwater marine services.
There are a variety of tasks necessary below the waterline to maintain vessels. This requires training and expertise from those doing the work. These services are becoming industry standard to ensure the safety of crew and efficiency of vessels. The whole industry needs to head in a more sustainable direction.
Understanding Underwater Marine Services
Underwater marine services involve a range of tasks conducted below the waterline on a vessel or maritime infrastructure. Underwater services of vessels, floaters, rigs, and platforms are necessary for optimal efficiency, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and enhanced performance.
These services include:
Hull Cleaning and Propeller Polishing
The aim of hull cleaning and propeller polishing is to reduce the surface roughness caused by a build up of marine fouling. A smooth propeller surface improves the efficiency of the vessel and optimises vessel performance. Hull cleaning can be difficult to plan for as the paint system can be unpredictable.
It is recommended to clean the hull early when slime starts to form rather than when heavy growth, such as barnacles, start to build up. Without regular maintenance, a build up of calcification leads to corrosion and can negatively impact the hull sonar system. Corrosion can also leak into the ocean, causing harm to marine life and the ecosystem.
Surveys and Inspections
Industry standard surveys with experienced divers save vessel operators time and money, due to limiting the need to dry dock. This also means vessels can stay in operation for longer, reducing downtime. The necessary work involves sub-surface inspections and impact damage inspections, making sure a vessel is safe and efficient. If a vessel or infrastructure is not maintained properly, there is a risk of corrosion and damage.
Structural Engineering
Specialist divers and engineers must undertake structural engineering, to reduce the impact on continued operations. Extensive structural work and engineering needs to be done below the waterline, vital to protect the vessel or offshore infrastructure.
Environmental Sustainability
How does the maritime industry move towards a sustainable future? Firstly, it needs to optimise fuel consumption by reducing fuel emissions or adopting alternative fuels. The maritime industry is exploring alternative fuel options, which will lower its carbon footprint and align with global efforts to fight climate change.
It also needs to implement smart ship technologies, enhancing operational efficiency. With regulatory compliance, the maritime industry will adhere to emission standards and environmental practices. Compliance across the industry ensures a global approach to sustainability.
So, how do underwater marine services support environmental sustainability?
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Practices
Traditional underwater maintenance practices, such as the use of chemicals in hull cleaning and the disposal of waste material has caused damage to ocean ecosystems and harm to marine life. It has also impacted the water quality, which is why sustainable practices going forward are essential.
With professional divers and experts in their field, modern underwater marine services improve the efficiency of vessels and optimise fuel performance. This benefits the environment by reducing fuel consumption and enhancing the operation of ships.
Technological Advancements in Sustainable Underwater Services
Advancements in technology have led to more environmentally sustainable underwater marine services. Products have also evolved, including more eco-friendly solutions and practices that are less harmful to marine life.
With smart ship technologies, engine performance is effectively monitored. Correct planning and decisions are made in relation to underwater marine services, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Biofouling and the Environment
Biofouling has environmental implications, including increased fuel consumption and emissions. Underwater marine services address biofouling challenges and contribute towards improved vessel efficiency. With sustainable anti-fouling coatings and practices that reduces the negative impact on the environment, underwater marine services are a helpful solution for the marine industry going forward.
A build up of marine fouling such as barnacles or tubeworm causes turbulence, cavitation, and noise, impacting the performance of sonars, speed logs, and hull mounted sensors. Hull cleaning and propeller polishing can have a hugely positive impact on vessel hydrodynamic performance and fuel consumption.
The Environmental Sustainability of Underwater Marine Services
Underwater marine services are an essential part of running a vessel and maintaining maritime infrastructure for efficiency and safety. It is vital to protect the safety of crew and passengers’ onboard vessels by ensuring the ship is properly maintained. This requires hull and propeller cleaning, structural engineering, and surveys and inspections.
So, are these practices sustainable? The reduction of chemicals used for cleaning – with more sustainable options – is an eco-friendlier approach to hull and propeller cleaning. Vessel operators must align their practices with regulations to help protect the planet. Expert hull and propeller cleaning optimises fuel consumption and improves the efficiency of the vessel.
Structural surveys reduce the impact on continued operations. By protecting vessels and offshore infrastructure, there is less chance of corrosion on the ship. This improves vessel performance and optimises fuel efficiency, vital for helping protect the planet.
Professional maintenance of infrastructure and vessels is essential for efficiency in the maritime industry. It is also important for best business practices, protecting the environment, passengers, and crew.
Overall, with modern advancements and technology, underwater marine services can be environmentally sustainable, and they contribute to a greener future. With better fuel efficiency and optimised performance, vessels reduce their carbon footprint. Innovative services also reduce the need for down time – include dry docking – resulting in savings of time and costs.
With professional underwater marine services, the optimisation of vessels, maintenance and repairs, and equipment inspection means vessels and maritime infrastructure runs efficiently. With optimised function, fuel consumption is reduced, and vessel performance enhanced. As a result, this helps the industry reduce its carbon footprint and head towards a more sustainable future.
