How Ultrasonic Antifouling Supports Environmental Compliance

That’s why countries like Australia have started implementing mandatory biofouling requirements. However, traditional solutions like paint are inconvenient to apply and can be bad for the environment. 

Many industry professionals have turned to ultrasonic antifouling as an alternative. It’s a more convenient way to keep your hulls clean that is also better for the environment. This article takes a closer look at the current environment compliance landscape and the growing role ultrasonic antifouling is playing in it. 

The Environmental Impact of Biofouling 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has invested millions into combatting the environmental problem of biofouling. There are two key reasons for this.

First, biofouling can increase ship drag by up to 40%. That’s not just a problem for maritime business owners, it’s impacting our environment, too. When vessels have to work harder, they consume more fuel to travel the same distance. According to the IMO, this process can increase GHG emissions by up to 55%.

The second reason biofouling is under the microscope is its negative impact on marine biodiversity. It transfers invasive species into new settings where they disrupt and sometimes even take over the local ocean wildlife. This disrupts delicate ecosystems and can lead to dangerous chain reactions. 

Regulations and the Push for Greener Solutions 

The IMO is leading the charge against biofouling. It recently published an updated list of guidelines for minimizing greenhouse gases and transferring invasive aquatic species. This section reviews those guidelines and why adopting them can be smart even if it’s not yet mandatory for your business to do so. 

The IMO’s 2023 Biofouling Guidelines 

The IMO has stressed the importance of biofouling inspections in its latest industry guidelines. It’s set the following time-based standards: 

Ships should be inspected for biofouling within 12 months of applying or installing a new antifouling system (AFS) to ensure it functions effectively. 

If an inspection within 12 months isn’t possible, one can happen as far as 18 months after installation. 

Subsequent re-inspections should occur at least every 12 to 18 months, and perhaps more often as situations demand. 

The guidelines also share a new biofouling rating system. Scores range from zero to four, with zero indicating no fouling and four showing heavy macrofouling.  

The IMO recommends different cleaning actions based on the score a ship receives. For example, a four means the vessel should be dry-docked and cleaned, while a one indicates that only periodic cleaning is necessary. 

Why Comply?

Although some countries have adopted them in part, the IMO’s guidelines are not mandatory everywhere. That means as a maritime professional, you may need to decide between adopting them or not. You can start by comparing the costs and benefits of doing so. 

As explained previously, biofouling makes vessels slower and causes them to consume more fuel. Many costs can flow from this. Some are direct, like having to pay more for gas, while others are indirect. These include delayed trip times, less satisfied customers, and lost revenue. Investing in an antifouling system can solve all these hull protection problems. 

It’s also worth considering the environmental side of the decision. An AFS will make your operations cleaner and better for the planet. That’s the right thing to do for future generations. But it can also set your company up as an environmental leader in the maritime industry today. This can help with sales — especially now that 62% of people say they always or often seek out environmentally sustainable products.

Challenges of Hull Fouling 

If you decide to follow the IMO’s biofouling guidelines, the next step will be choosing and installing an antifouling system. To do that effectively, it’s first important to review the challenges presented by hull fouling. 

You’ve already read about the performance issues and environmental damage hull fouling causes. But there are other factors to consider as well.  

For example, when left unchecked, biofouling can corrode a ship’s hull and wreak havoc on propulsion systems. It can also compromise the integrity of your vessel’s internal seawater systems. Problems like these lead to vessel downtime and may cost thousands to repair. 

It’s another reason why more maritime companies are prioritizing antifouling systems and techniques. Doing so will help you avoid these hull-fouling challenges and keep your operations efficient. 

Proactive Hull Cleaning 

Start by creating a policy of proactively cleaning your ship’s hull. This will get you ahead of the problems presented by biofouling so they can’t impact your work at inopportune moments. 

The next question to answer is how often you’ll clean the hull. This depends on several factors, such as how effective your AFS is at keeping unwanted marine life off your ship. That being said, you generally should clean your vessels’ hulls at least once every six months. 

Try to schedule cleanings in advance for times when you know your ships will be docked anyway. This will minimize vessel downtime. 

Manage Biofouling in Niche Areas 

Your cleaning plan should also address the fact that biofouling can accumulate in places other than your ship’s hull. It’s also commonly found in various other parts of vessels, including: 

• Lateral thruster tunnels 
• Sea chests 
• Propellers 

If you neglect these areas, your ships can experience damage that eventually forces you to take care of the accumulated fouling anyway. It’s more efficient to take care of the problem in advance with a comprehensive hull and niche area cleaning strategy. 

Adopting Ultrasonic Antifouling for Compliance and Efficiency 

The easiest way to solve your fouling problem could be to invest in an ultrasonic antifouling system. These systems emit different frequencies of sound, which prevent marine life from accumulating and reproducing on your ship’s underwater parts. 

Consider the following benefits of ultrasonic antifouling as you decide whether it’s right for your vessels. 

Highly Effective Antifouling 

Ultrasonic antifouling is one of the biofouling control strategies the IMO recommends. It’s highly effective at keeping unwanted marine life off vessels. 

Several other antifouling solutions can achieve this, too. But they typically have other drawbacks that you’ll learn about over the next two sub-sections. 

Minimal Maintenance 

Another advantage of ultrasonic systems is that they require very little ongoing work. Once you set them up, they continue keeping marine life off your ship for as long as the system remains active.

While antifouling paint remains the frontline defense against biofouling — and is essential for protecting hull surfaces — it works best when supported by complementary technologies. Systems like ultrasonic antifouling enhance the overall performance of your hull protection strategy by reducing early-stage biofouling between dry docks and improving the long-term efficiency of the coating.

Compared to standalone solutions, ultrasonic systems help maintain cleaner hulls between paint cycles. Unlike paints that must be reapplied every one to three years, or chemical-based solutions that need regular refills, ultrasonic systems run continuously with minimal upkeep.

This combined approach extends the life of your coatings, reduces maintenance costs, and supports consistent fuel efficiency — helping you stay compliant and competitive.

Environmental Benefits 

It’s also worth reviewing the environmental benefits offered by ultrasonic antifouling. These also stand out from what other forms of AFS offer. 

First, ultrasonic AFS protects marine biodiversity by limiting the transfer of aquatic species. They can also decrease fuel consumption and associated emissions by up to 13%. However, these environmental benefits are largely consistent with other AFS solutions. 

Ultrasonic products also pollute marine ecosystems less than many traditional alternatives. For example, applying heavy antifouling paint can release toxic biocides into surrounding waterways, potentially impacting marine life. 

Ultrasonic systems pose no such risk to delicate marine ecosystems. The sound waves they emit do not interfere with sonar used by marine mammals like dolphins and whales. They also don’t release harmful chemicals that can accumulate in the food chain and eventually impact human health.

These environmental benefits have been validated in independent studies conducted by DHI, confirming that Cathelco’s ultrasonic antifouling system has limited harmful impact on marine biodiversity or underwater acoustic environments.

The Environmental Case for Ultrasonic Antifouling 

Biofouling impacts the environment by causing more greenhouse gas emissions and interrupting marine life. That’s why organizations like IMO have been proactive about establishing biofouling guidelines and scoring systems. Although not mandatory everywhere, they may be soon, as the push for environmental sustainability continues. 

Ultrasonic antifouling systems stand out as an ideal solution for this problem. They’re highly effective, but also more environmentally friendly than other options. They provide proactive hull clearing so you don’t have to dock your ships to clean them so often. Plus, there will be less ongoing work for your crews when you use ultrasonic AFS. 

The growth of ultrasonic antifouling comes at a time when environmental concerns are transforming the maritime industry. Every trend suggests this will continue, so why not get out ahead of it? Doing so can set your company up as an environmental leader. It can be a way to differentiate yourself from the competition before it becomes mandatory to follow these practices anyway. 

The final step is choosing an ultrasonic solution that can address all of your needs. Cathelco USP DragGone™ fits that bill. It can help you cut emissions, safeguard ecosystems, and reduce fuel consumption from day one. Learn more about how DragGone™ works.