The commercial marine industry, including shipping, offshore energy, and other marine transport services, is essential to the global economy. Over 80% of international trade is arranged overseas, and the industry is critical in connecting global supply chains.
However, it is also one of the most significant contributors to environmental challenges, such as greenhouse gas emissions, ocean pollution, and the spread of invasive species. Proper hull maintenance is critical in keeping greenhouse gas emissions low, and clean hulls prevent the spread of invasive species.
Commercial marine and sustainability
The commercial marine market transforms as sustainability becomes increasingly important, particularly in hull maintenance. Sustainable hull maintenance practices can significantly reduce emissions, lower fuel consumption, and protect marine ecosystems.
The commercial marine industry can take meaningful steps toward environmental sustainability by adopting biocide-free antifouling solutions, automated cleaning systems, and eco-friendly materials. This shift requires overcoming barriers, fostering innovation, and creating solid regulatory frameworks, all of which will be crucial for a sustainable future in marine transportation.
Hull maintenance mainly involves toxic coatings that spread biocides that kill marine life. And on top of that, the paint itself dissolves as microplastic particles. As a result, hull maintenance is a crucial factor in sustainability and zero-emission shipping, as it directly impacts fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, and ecological health. It’s good to know that proper hull maintenance can now be done without using biocides!
Global Market Size and Growth in the Commercial Marine Industry
The commercial marine industry is enormous. It includes several subsectors, such as cargo shipping, tanker operations, bulk carriers, and offshore oil and gas services. The global shipping industry alone is valued at over $500 billion, and thousands of vessels transport goods across the oceans.
The market is expected to grow steadily due to factors such as the globalisation of supply chains, increased demand for maritime transport, and a shift toward more sustainable practices.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is pressing for sustainable solutions and enforces stricter regulations on emissions, invasive species transfer, and pollution.
Hull maintenance is critical in achieving these sustainability goals, as hull fouling directly affects fuel efficiency, emissions, and the spread of invasive species. The COP conferences of the United Nations are an excellent example of the world taking action.
Key Market Segments and Hull Maintenance Needs
The commercial marine industry comprises several key segments, each with unique hull maintenance requirements:
Cargo Ships
These vessels are responsible for global trade, transporting containers, bulk goods, and commodities. Biofouling can severely impact their fuel efficiency, making sustainable hull maintenance a priority. Their worldwide trade routes are a well-known source of toxic chemicals leaking from the hulls.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for cargo ships
Tankers
Tankers transport liquid cargoes such as crude oil, chemicals, and liquefied natural gas. Hull fouling can increase fuel costs and emissions, and since tankers operate in various water environments, they are prone to biofouling.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for tankers
Bulk Carriers
Bulk carriers transport loose goods like grains, coal, and minerals. Due to their size and frequency of travel, they require effective antifouling solutions to maintain operational efficiency. Idle times of several weeks are typical and lead to high biofouling accumulation risks.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for bulk carriers
Offshore Energy Vessels
Offshore vessels support the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries. They operate in sensitive marine environments and require hull maintenance practices that minimise environmental impact. Many of these vessels idle for at least half of their operational time, accumulating biofouling and leading to severe fuel losses.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for offshore energy vessels
Dredging
A large fleet is sailing across the oceans for large dredging projects. Whether it concerns reclaiming land or keeping waterways at the proper depth, dredging is needed worldwide, mainly around ports.
The larger companies try to be as sustainable as possible and even have environmental restoration projects in case of disturbances caused by dredging.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for dredging vessels
Fishing Vessels
Fishing vessels often operate in coastal waters, where biofouling is prevalent. Sustainable hull maintenance is vital to reduce the environmental impact on local ecosystems.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for fishing vessels
Passenger transport
The passenger transport sector is massive, whether cruising or regular ferry transport. As these vessels operate in busy urban environments, pollution prevention is evident.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for passenger transport ships
Navy
Navy fleets rely heavily on speed for their safety. A slower ship is an easier target, so navy fleets need maximum protection. Consequently, regulations that are in place for commercial marine often don’t apply to the Navy.
Non-toxic, eco-friendly antifouling for Navy vessels
Regional Commercial Marine Market and Sustainability Trends
The commercial marine industry operates globally, but regional factors influence sustainability practices in hull maintenance:
North America
North America has stringent environmental regulations governing marine operations. U.S. waters are subject to the Clean Water Act (https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act), and there is strong regulatory oversight for biofouling and emissions. In North America, environmentally friendly hull maintenance practices, such as biocide-free antifouling coatings and waterless hull cleaning, are being significantly adopted to prevent the transfer of invasive species.
Europe
Europe is a leader in sustainable shipping practices and innovation. The European Union’s Green Deal and “Fit for 55” package aim to reduce maritime emissions and encourage eco-friendly practices.
European shipping companies invest heavily in green technologies, including low-emission paints and automated hull-cleaning robots. To reduce environmental impact, European hull maintenance increasingly emphasises biocide-free coatings, efficient cleaning methods, and dry docking in controlled environments.
Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for commercial shipping, with significant activity in China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. However, the region needs help in enforcing consistent environmental standards.
Although sustainable practices vary, there is a growing awareness of eco-friendly hull maintenance. Countries like Japan and South Korea invest in developing sustainable antifouling technologies, and stricter regulations are emerging in port cities. Initiatives like Glofouling are well supported.
Marine Market Sustainability Challenges in Hull Maintenance
Hull maintenance presents several environmental and operational challenges, which sustainable practices aim to address. Key challenges are:
Toxicity of Antifouling Coatings
Traditional antifouling coatings contain biocides such as copper and tributyltin (TBT), which are toxic to marine life. Despite the ban on TBT, copper-based antifouling paints remain widely used, raising environmental concerns. Also, TBT is still incorporated by several large paint producers.
Carbon Emissions from Biofouling
Biofouling increases drag, raising fuel consumption and emissions. According to the IMO, heavily fouled ships can experience up to a 40% increase in fuel consumption, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Spread of Invasive Species
Hull fouling can transport invasive species to new ecosystems, disrupting local biodiversity. This is a critical issue for vessels travelling between regions, as biofouling can introduce harmful species to non-native habitats.
Operational Costs
Sustainable hull maintenance solutions are often more expensive than traditional methods. While they offer long-term savings, the high upfront costs can be a barrier for some operators, even when fuel cost savings are apparent.
Innovations and Trends in Sustainable Hull Maintenance
To address these challenges, the commercial marine industry is adopting innovative solutions and sustainable practices in hull maintenance. Key trends include:
Biocide-Free Antifouling Coatings
Biocide-free antifouling coatings are gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to traditional toxic paints. These coatings use non-toxic materials that prevent organisms from attaching to the hull. Reducing chemical leaching makes these products less harmful to marine life and meets the environmental standards set by various regulatory bodies. These paints are under scrutiny, as they replace copper with zinc, among other tricks.
Foul-Release Coatings
Foul-release coatings do not kill marine organisms but create a slick surface that makes it difficult for them to attach. Made from materials like silicone and fluorinated polyalkenes, these coatings reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. They are particularly popular for vessels operating in sensitive environments.
Yet there is concern about the content of organotin and PFAS in these paints and the silicone oils leaching. Research has shown that compounds are leaching that affect activity levels of marine life.
Ultrasonic Antifouling Systems
Ultrasonic antifouling systems use sound waves to prevent biofouling. These systems create vibrations on the hull that prevent organisms from settling, providing an eco-friendly solution without toxic chemicals.
Ultrasonic systems are especially suitable for smaller vessels and harbour operations. Most positive effects are combined with biocidal paint as if they keep these paints more active. It may be more effective to apply these to niche areas like cooling tubes.
Hull Cleaning Robots
Autonomous hull cleaning robots offer an efficient and eco-friendly way to maintain hulls. These robots use brushes or water jets to remove fouling, reducing the need for toxic coatings and minimising operational downtime. Robots can perform hull cleaning while the vessel is docked, preventing the release of contaminants into the water. An important aspect is to collect the water with the debris as otherwise, the cleaning surroundings would become heavily polluted.
There are many award-winning hull cleaning solutions on the rise. Still, in case antifouling coatings are cleaned, microplastics and biocides can leach faster than without cleaning.
Surface Structure/hull wraps
Many marine organisms have a natural protection mechanism: hairs or spikes prevent them from being attached to or influenced by external factors. Sea urchins and marine mammals are great examples.
An antifouling product based on this has been developed, patented, and commercialised. It has shown long-term performance: Finsulate. Finsulate can be combined with hull cleaning and specific types of ultrasonic antifouling.
Marine Market Opportunities in Sustainable Hull Maintenance
The shift toward sustainable hull maintenance opens new market opportunities within the commercial marine industry:
a) Development and Sale of Eco-Friendly Antifouling Coatings
As biocidal paints face increasing regulation, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly antifouling coatings. Companies specialising in biocide-free paints, foul-release coatings, and advanced polymers can capture market share by offering solutions that meet regulatory and environmental standards. The risk with these new coatings is that even though they may look harmless, they are often banned in time, as adverse effects arise when used on a large scale.
b) Growth in Automated Hull Cleaning Services
Autonomous hull cleaning robots and in-water cleaning services present a lucrative opportunity. These services are becoming popular for their ability to reduce biofouling without disrupting operations. Ports and large shipping operators invest in these solutions to enhance fleet efficiency. One of the big challenges is to filter the water to prevent invasive species and chemicals that wash off and pollute the harbours.
c) Partnerships with Ports and Regulatory Agencies
Companies that develop sustainable hull maintenance products can partner with ports and regulatory agencies to establish eco-friendly maintenance hubs. Such hubs offer controlled environments for hull cleaning, encouraging shipping companies to adopt sustainable practices.
d) Investment in Research and Development
As the demand for sustainable marine solutions rises, investing in research and developing new antifouling technologies can yield high returns. Innovation in surface texture, ultrasonic antifouling and biodegradable coatings is up-and-coming.
Future of Sustainability in Hull Maintenance for Commercial Shipping
As the commercial marine industry moves toward sustainability, hull maintenance practices will continue to evolve. Key future trends include:
• Expansion of Biocide-Free Solutions: With regulatory pressures, biocide-free antifouling solutions will become the standard. Research into advanced materials and technologies will drive the adoption of these eco-friendly coatings.
• Increased Automation in Hull Cleaning: Autonomous cleaning systems and in-water robots will likely see wider adoption, especially as these technologies become more cost-effective and efficient and are combined with biocide-free solutions.
• Integration of Digital Solutions: Digital solutions, such as predictive maintenance software, will help companies plan hull maintenance schedules to optimise performance and reduce environmental impact.
• Collaboration Across the Supply Chain: Collaboration among shipowners, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies will be essential to standardise sustainable hull maintenance practices. Joint efforts will drive the development of consistent industry-wide standards.
If you’d like to know how we can help you with an eco-friendly, sustainable antifouling solution, please feel free to contact us here.
