Keel Bot

The buildup of shellfish and seaweed on a ship’s hull is more than an eyesore or inconvenience. It costs ship owners money by increasing drag, which in turn increases fuel consumption. It also takes a toll on the environment by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. According to one shipping economist, hull cleaning can reduce fuel usage by 9 to 17 percent, depending on how thoroughly it’s done. Traditionally, cleaning is performed by divers (sometimes assisted by robots) at scheduled times. But a new invention called HullSkater aims to eliminate the need for divers altogether.

The 440-pound (200-kilogram) robot is designed to reside permanently onboard and be deployed whenever the ship is in port. Magnetic wheels clamp it to the hull where it can be controlled remotely, via a 4G connection, by an operator anywhere in the world. Cameras provide a view of the hull and special brushes clean the nooks and crannies where slime-producing bacteria can accumulate. Eliminating these biofilms helps to keep the hull clean by preventing barnacles, mollusks and seaweed spores from attaching themselves.

It’s estimated that more regular cleaning (as opposed to episodic semi-annual cleaning) will result in a sustained fuel savings of 12 to 13 percent – an average of $800,000 annually. In addition, HullSkater will reduce the migration of alien and invasive animal species to ecosystems throughout the world.