Shipping sustainability : a study on hull cleaning method to manage ship biofouling (shipowners’ perspective)

Abstract

Maritime Transport, touted as the backbone of global trade and the lifeblood of the global economy, plays an important role in this modern society. Without it, half of the World will starve while the other half would freeze. Despite, this comes with a price as it raises concern on the negative impacts to the environment and one increasing attention is the transfer of invasive species. This paper aims to study on the effectiveness of diverless hull cleaning operation and how it can contribute towards sustainability. Shipping sustainability have been one the most discussed topics in recent years, which incorporated the three pillars – Economic, Social and Environment. Following, research will be conducted through primary and secondary methodology to gather relevant information for the key findings and analysis. This will be achieved by evaluating diverless hull cleaning through the 9 sustainability indicators identified. Progressively, a ranking formular is utilized to determine which factors weighs the highest to lowest effectiveness in achieving shipping sustainability. Results have shown that the economic aspect has the greatest impact, mainly due to the high investment cost and the absence of standardized regulations on biofouling in the shipping industry. With the challenges recognized, the report will lay various recommendations to alleviate the limitations presented. All in all, with strong support from the regulatory bodies and relevant stakeholders, diverless hull cleaning will greatly contribute to a profitable and sustainable future in the coming years.