FREMANTLE Port pilot vessel Paddy Troy was the guinea pig for new hull-cleaning technology that could allow for vessel cleaning in-water, in ports - changing the way ship hulls are cleaned in the future.
The new technology trial was carried out by marine services firm, Franmarine at the end of June.
The demonstration of their cutting-edge in-water vessel cleaning technology on Paddy Troy at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson provided what the port said in a statement, were critical insights into the potential for more efficient, bio secure and sustainable vessel maintenance practices in Australia’s maritime sector.
“Fremantle Ports and project partners Franmarine and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) expect this demonstration to inform the Australian in-water cleaning guidelines exposure draft developed by the Commonwealth.”
Currently, under port rules, it is prohibited to clean hulls within port waters, for environmental reasons.
“The demonstration incorporated extensive monitoring by specialist consultancy O2 Marine to allow a third-party scientific assessment of the in-water hull cleaning system against the strict capture, biosecurity and chemical contaminant standards set down in the exposure draft. The data from the assessment by O2 Marine is required to determine whether it is safe for the environment."
Fremantle Ports senior environmental advisor, Rebecca James said this innovation in biofouling management has the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, by minimising hull drag caused by marine growth.
“By optimising vessel cleaning, we can lower greenhouse gas emissions in shipping, and importantly, save time and fuel costs - operational efficiencies increasingly sought after by visiting shipping customers as an alternative to dry docking,” Ms James said.
“The exposure draft aligns with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards and represent Australia's contribution to combat the spread of invasive marine species and protect marine biodiversity.
“This proactive approach exemplifies how industry and government can collaborate to trial innovative solutions that improve operational efficiency, reduce biosecurity risks, environmental stewardship, and regulatory coherence across multiple agencies in a practical and effective way.”
In April, Fremantle Ports and Franmarine trialled the use of DeepTrekker underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to inspect two pilot boats, the Paddy Troy and Kwilena, producing high-definition vision to inform and optimise asset management decisions.
This inspection identified Paddy Troy as a candidate to demonstrate Franmarine’s in-water hull cleaning capabilities ahead of a potential larger pilot program within Fremantle Port waters.
The activity is a case study for the implementation of bio secure and environmentally friendly in-water hull cleaning, with benefits for ports across all of Australia.
The University of Melbourne is leading research into the assessment of frictional drag, fuel expenditure and carbon dioxide emissions due to hull fouling in collaboration with Franmarine and deployed 3D underwater surface scanning technology as part of the Paddy Troy demonstration.