THE Seatrade Cruise Awards, held in Hamburg on 11 September, brought together leaders and decisionmakers from the cruise industry and recognised innovation in the sector such as that being provided by HullWiper.
HullWiper was recognised for its contribution to advancing the environmental aspects of cruising. The company’s underwater diverless- and brush-free cleaning technology uses natural seawater under adjustable pressure to dislocate and remove biofouling without the abrasive scrubbing or harsh chemicals employed by traditional methods. As no divers are involved, the ROV saves costs and reduces the risk to human life.
The ROV collects marine fouling removed from hulls, rather than releasing it into port waters and risking the spread of invasive alien species. Captured residues are pumped into an onboard filter unit and deposited into dedicated drums onshore, which are collected by a locally-approved environmental waste disposal company, protecting both the marine environment and the customer from potential fines or penalties.
HullWiper’s managing director, Simon Doran, said, “This award is particularly gratifying as it recognises that we are heading in the right direction, whilst raising our profile among cruise companies who place particular importance on the environment and safety”.
Since its launch in late 2013, HullWiper has expanded its range of operations from its first base in Dubai to include key locations across the Middle East, as well as ports in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, Spain, Egypt, Australia, United Arab Emirates and – most recently – Panama and Mauritius.
To date, HullWiper has performed more than 900 hull cleaning operations around the world and is available for lease where the company does not have its own base.
