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MAROFF-2-Maritim virksomhet og offsh-2

Demonstration of HSS

Alternative title: Demonstrator av HSS

Awarded: NOK 4.6 mill.

Project Number:

336967

Application Type:

Project Period:

2022 - 2024

Organisation:

The maritime industry is experiencing a shift in regulations, with stricter requirements on energy efficiency, carbon intensity and biofouling management. Keeping the vessels underwater hull clean has become more important than ever. Jotun and Kongsberg Maritime, along with other partners, have been developing the world’s first proactive cleaning solution – the Hull Skating Solution (HSS). This solution combines a hull coating made for proactive cleaning with a remote operated robot that is stationed onboard each vessel. Instead of relying on the properties in hull coatings alone, hull coatings are combined with cleaning at such a frequency that biofouling is removed before it becomes a problem. A 1st generation of the solution is currently being demonstrated within the RoRo segment. The primary project objective is to successfully demonstrate HSS within the container, LNG, cruise and bulk segment. The 1st generation of the solution has shown to have a limited fit on these vessel types, and as such a new R&D development has been started. This will involve developing and demonstrating a new storage and launching device for the robot. The unit will be kept by the railing of the vessel gaining quick access to the ship’s hull. A greater focus will also be on user friendliness for the crew onboard the vessels and ease the operation process for the remote operators. The aim is to have prototypes onboard vessels in early 2023. To help overcome above R&D challenges, the project will utilize a blend of Systems-engineering methodology, design thinking, and lean product development. A second underlying objective is to demonstrate that the solution’s value add makes the business case attractive for both customer and supplier. To prove the demonstrator the project will be using performance data from the vessel before and after implementation of the HSS. The projects timeframe is set to start in Q4 2022 and run until Q1 2024.

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Proactive cleaning is a new tool in the biofouling management toolbox. Instead of relying on anti-fouling properties in hull coatings alone, hull coatings are combined with cleaning at a sufficiently high frequency to ensure biofouling is removed before it becomes a problem. Jotun and Kongsberg Maritime, along with other partners, have been developing the world’s first proactive cleaning solution – the Hull Skating Solution (HSS). HSS combines a hull coating optimized for proactive cleaning with teleoperated inspection and cleaning with a purpose developed robot that is stationed onboard each vessel. A 1st generation of the solution is currently being demonstrated within the RoRo segment. The primary project objective is to successfully demonstrate HSS within the container, LNG, cruise and bulk segment. A 1st underlying objective is to demonstrate that the solution has the fit and capacity needed to keep the hull always clean also within cruise - despite very challenging operations. A second underlying objective is to demonstrate that the solution’s value add makes the business case attractive for both customer and supplier. A first R&D challenge is to adapt HSS to fit vessels within the segments. A second is to ensure the new version of the solution has the capacity needed to keep the hull always clean despite very challenging operations. A final R&D challenge is to determine the value add of keeping hulls always clean in the cruise segment.

Funding scheme:

MAROFF-2-Maritim virksomhet og offsh-2