Hull Cleaning & Propeller Polishing Services for Optimal Vessel Performance
Every nautical mile matters in the competitive maritime industry. Vessels are not only confronted with a silent yet expensive enemy as they pass through international trade routes, but also with marine biofouling. The growth of barnacles, algae, and slime on the submerged surfaces of a ship causes huge hydrodynamic drag, which results in astronomical consumption of fuel and engine burdens.
The services of professional hull cleaning and the accuracy of polishing the propeller are no longer an option of maintenance but an essential part of the working process. In Master-Tech Diving Services (MTDS), we offer specialized underwater vessel maintenance that recovers the hydrodynamic profile of your ship, cutting the operating expenses by half and at the same time, guaranteeing maximum efficiency.
What Is Hull Fouling and Why Does It Matter?
Ship hull fouling refers to the unacceptable growth of micro-organisms, plants and animals on underwater areas of a vessel. A single centimeter’s coating of slime can add 10% of the drag to a vessel, and the hull growth of heavy underwater corals can add 40 percent of the drag.
This drag resistance made the engine work harder to maintain the speed, which has caused:
- Increased Fuel Wastage: It needs more energy to pass through friction.
- Slower speed: Shipments find it difficult to arrive within narrow arrival schedules.
- Mechanical Fatigue: Overworked propulsion systems and engines are causing early failure.
Benefits of Underwater Hull Cleaning & Propeller Polishing
The change in a soiled hull to a polished and clean one has direct and quantifiable benefits to the ship owners and fleet managers. Professional underwater vessel maintenance, in addition to being a matter of aesthetics, is a strategic investment in mechanical dependability and environmental care. Our services have a great Return on Investment (ROI) by maximizing the interaction of the ship with the water, resulting in substantial savings in operations and elimination of structural degradation in the long run.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
Optimization of fuel efficiency is the most direct advantage of our services. Biofouling is eliminated and the hull is made again, resulting in lower operating costs.
- Direct Savings: Polished propellers can repair 2 to 6 percent of fuel efficiency.
- Emission Reduction: A reduction in fuel consumption yields a direct proportional reduction in carbon footprint, which will aid in the decarbonization of the global maritime sector.
Extended Equipment Life
Frequent propeller repair and hull can be thought of as a preventive protection of your sensitive underwater equipment.
- Corrosion Prevention: Cleaning eliminates organisms that trap moisture and organic acids against the metal, preventing localized or localized corrosion which is referred to as pitting corrosion.
- Ship Lifecycle Management: Ensuring the integrity of anti-fouling coating will increase the lifecycle of the ship between the costly time spent in dry-docking, as well as ensure the lifecycle of the ship.
Environmental Compliance
We focus on environmental friendly cleaning of the hulls to save our oceans and guarantee that your boat is of international standards.
- Marine Ecosystem Protection: We have got stringent capture and contain policies to avoid the movement of invasive aquatic species (IAS) between bioregions.
- Green Shipping Practices: Our operations are in line with IMO and MPA Singapore policies and your ship would be in line with the current environmental laws.
Our Underwater Hull Cleaning Process
Our underwater hull cleaning and propeller polishing processes are systematic and approved by the classroom in case of optimal quality results. We skillfully integrate the experience of qualified commercial divers and special hydraulic equipment to provide a one-stop cleaning solution at the same time being focused on speed and structural integrity. We have proceeded by these drastic measures, to see to it that every square inch of the submerged surface of your vessel shall be brought into its most profitable hydrodynamic condition.
Step 1: Comprehensive Hull & Propeller Inspection
Each work is started with the comprehensive underwater inspection service. Our divers also perform a hull condition test with the high-definition cameras to find out the type of a fouling (soft or hard) and determine the Rubert Scale grade of the propeller.
Step 2: Specialized Hull Cleaning Operations
Our hydraulic brush systems are state-of-the-art systems that are used by our diver assisted vessel maintenance teams. The tools are created in such a way that they eliminate growth without destroying the costly anti-fouling paint underneath. We have all the niche areas cleared out, such as sea chests, rudders and so on.
Step 3: Precision Propeller Polishing
Cavitation is brought about by a rough propeller, leading to noise and loss of blade metal. Our propeller surface finishing is by multi-stage flexible pads, which provides a Rubert Grade A finish (less than 0.65 microns).
- Cavitation Control: Decreases vibration and noise.
- Propulsion Efficiency: Optimizes power-to-vessel ratios.
Why Professional Hull Cleaning Is Better Than DIY
Whereas individual operators are trying to do quick scrubs, professional marine services are the only ones that can ensure results without jeopardizing the ship.
- Damage Prevention: Unqualified cleaning may strip off protective coating, resulting in quick re-fouling and corrosion.
- Compliance Assurance: In most ports, particularly in Singapore, it is a strict law of capture and containment. Our procedures approved by the classes make you in compliance and penalty-free.
Safety & Environmental Standards
In MTDS, we observe the highest standards of underwater safety. Our business divers are IMCA/CDAS certified. In addition to this, our environmental risk management is:
- Adherence to underwater clean-up regulations at MPA Singapore.
- Compliance with BIMCO standards of hull cleaning.
- Biocide-free cleaning technologies that are eco-friendly are to be used.
Why Choose MTDS for Your Vessel Maintenance?
Expertise & Certification
Our qualified commercial divers are the men with years of experience in the tough waters of Singapore strait and beyond.
Advanced Technology
We also make use of the modern high speed cleaning equipment and ROV assisted checks to prevent the fleet of your company to spend much time out of commission.
Local & Offshore Capability
Being one of the leading commercial diving firms in Singapore, we will be able to provide 24/7 services in anchorage or in berth, which means that you will be able to get flexible offshore vessel maintenance any time you require.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How often should hull cleaning be done?
Ans: For most commercial vessels, we recommend a professional cleaning every 6 to 12 months, depending on the water temperature and how long the ship stays at rest.
Q2. Does propeller polishing really save fuel?
Ans: Yes. Restoring a propeller to Rubert Grade A can reduce fuel consumption by 3% to 8%, often paying for itself in a single voyage.
Q3. Is underwater cleaning environmentally safe?
Ans: When performed by a certified provider like MTDS using approved “capture-and-contain” technology, it is safe and prevents the spread of invasive species.
Conclusion
Let biofouling put your profits to the test. The most affordable way to increase the performance of the vessel, minimize the emission levels, and many years of your marine assets is to invest in hull cleaning services and propeller polishing.
Get in touch with MTDS to have a professional underwater maintenance to maintain your fleet at an efficient, safe, and sustainable pace.
