How Shipshave technology is reducing emissions from the Hapag-Lloyd fleet
Hapag-Lloyd’s ambitious target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2030 – and ultimately reaching net-zero emissions by 2045 – will require a broad set of measures. This goal can only be achieved if all stakeholders contribute and proactively identify additional opportunities to reduce carbon emissions. A collaborative approach, which has always defined Hapag-Lloyd, remains essential.
Advanced technologies such as AI can improve planning efficiency, while innovations in ship engine design can enhance fuel efficiency. In addition, smart ideas that may seem small can play a meaningful role in progressing toward climate neutrality. Because every kilogram of greenhouse gas avoided contributes to the overall objective.
One of these smart solutions could help us to control a natural phenomenon that has plagued ocean shipping for decades: fouling.
When a ship’s hull is exposed to seawater for an extended period of time, organic slime develops and the larvae of barnacles and other sea creatures attach themselves to the smooth hull.
Over time, this layer can become so thick and widespread that it significantly distorts the ship’s streamline, forcing it to burn more fuel to achieve the same speed.
According to a study published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), this additional drag can increase greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent with early stage slime layer on the hull and up to 55 percent in particularly unfavorable circumstances. The ongoing challenge with fouling is therefore a critical factor in achieving Hapag-Lloyd’s key sustainability goals.
Biofouling increases fuel consumption up to
Source: IMO Biofouling Report 2021
A typical container ship1 accumulates up to
of biofouling mass2 in a year3.
1 around 13,000 TEU 2 estimated value 3 depending on operating conditions.
Save time and money.
With Shipshave, seafarers can clean a ship's hull in just 5 hours - all while sailing on to their next destination.
Source: Shipshave
One of the most exciting innovations that can effectively and sustainably address this problem is In Transit Cleaning of Hulls (ITCH), which is offered by the Norwegian company Shipshave AS.
ITCH is the first semi-autonomous system designed to remove these organisms during ocean transit, preventing fouling before it even becomes noticeable. This simple yet powerful technology, which is portable and ready to use, can be operated by seafarers without the need for extensive training or supervision from Shipshave specialists.
A cleaner future with ITCH technology
How does Shipshave’s ITCH technology work?
Shipshave’s intelligent robots are specially configured for each type of vessel. They are lowered from the foredeck to the waterline using a cable winch and then begin to dive automatically. Soft brushes clean the hull underwater in a defined pattern with controlled brush forces. Inside the robot are sensitive electronics, including a pressure sensor to measure depth. A so-called roll angle ensures that the hard-working cleaning robots always know exactly where they are on the hull, ensuring efficient operation. The robot moves up and down, with a tether keeping it alongside the underwater hull as it cleans it from front to back.
Douglas Sier, Captain of the Hapag-Lloyd container ship “Hudson Express,” observes the system in action. “A clean ship is a happy ship,” he says with a smile.
Rune Freyer Founder and CEO of Shipshave
Shipshave technology was invented by Rune Freyer, an engineer from Rogaland, Norway.
Freyer first became aware of the problem of keeping ship hulls clean maintaining his sail boat. After researching the subject and being inspred of robots cleaning aquaculture nets, he began tinkering and eventually built the first prototype using materials from home improvement stores.
“It’s not enough to have an idea; you have to do a lot of testing and solve problems on the way to the goal,” explains the Norwegian inventor and current CEO of Shipshave. Looking back on the process, he is grateful that the shipping companies were very interested and cooperative from the start. Hapag-Lloyd was one of the first companies he approached about testing the technology. “We ran a lot of tests and gained experience that has always helped us move forward,” says Freyer. “Then, during a four-day voyage on board a Hapag-Lloyd ship, we really succeeded in establishing all the necessary operating parameters for further use.”
“It’s not enough to have an idea; you have to do a lot of testing and solve problems on the way to the goal,”
explains the Norwegian inventor and current CEO of Shipshave. Looking back on the process, he is grateful that the shipping companies were very interested and cooperative from the start. Hapag-Lloyd was one of the first companies he approached about testing the technology. “We ran a lot of tests and gained experience that has always helped us move forward,” says Freyer. “Then, during a four-day voyage on board a Hapag-Lloyd ship, we really succeeded in establishing all the necessary operating parameters for further use.”
Proven impact: Shipshave technology’s efficiency and environmental benefits
Nikhilesh Bhatia, Director Fleet Analytics & Performance, is responsible for optimizing the energy efficiency of the entire Hapag-Lloyd fleet. He used to work at sea and still remembers the days when the only way to clean a ship’s hull was during regular intervals while the ship was in port.
Although most of Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet still uses this method to remove fouling, Bhatia is enthusiastic about the added benefits of this new cleaning technology. “With ITCH, we ensure proactive hull maintenance and remove fouling at an early stage before it even settles on the hull,” he explains. “This gives us the advantages of higher speeds with lower main engine power and, thus, lower fuel consumption and less laytime in port at the same time. Another benefit is that proactive grooming also prolongs the life of the paint coatings on the hull and prevents transfer of invasive microorganisms to sensitive ecological areas.”
In addition, the lower emissions resulting from the use of this technology will help Hapag-Lloyd comply with new environmental regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU. Bhatia notes:
“This, in turn, will enhance Hapag-Lloyd's ability to deliver on our Quality Promises to our customers and achieve our sustainability goals.”
Bhatia also praises the close cooperation and open communication with Freyer and the Shipshave team. “We have a really good relationship,” he says, “and I’m sure that together we can drive forward additional innovations in this area that will set us on course for the future."
Nikhilesh Bhatia Director Fleet Analytics & Performance at Hapag-Lloyd
The return on investment is already achieved after just two deployments.
To ensure that the new Shipshave technology meets expectations and delivers proven results, an independent testing institute was commissioned to assess its performance over an extended period. DNV, a leading classification society, was asked to analyze data from two Hapag-Lloyd container ships equipped with ITCH technology over an 18-month period.
The results speak for themselves: One of the two ships studied experienced a 16 percent decrease in the amount of power it needed to maintain the same speed, resulting in a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 8.4 metric tons per day. This is equivalent to the amount of emissions of more than 4,900 fossil fuel-powered vehicles operating over the same period. The second ship had higher efficiency right from the start, but it still achieved fuel savings of nearly 5 percent.
What is most impressive is that these efficiency gains have been maintained over a long time only as a result of the regular use of the ITCH technology, while all other parameters – such as loading, average speed and weather impacts – have remained unchanged. In other words, the investment in the Shipshave technology is quickly paying for itself. “The return on investment is already achieved after just two deployments,” explains Bhatia.
Small growth that grows emissions
110 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions can be caused by as little as 10 percent of hard biofouling on a ship's hull.
Source: Safety 4 sea
Cleaned ships need about
less power to maintain their travel speed.
Source: Shipshave
Reduction in fuel cosumption
per day
Source: Shipshave
[...] we have seen a clear improvement in the performance of our vessel.
A small step for a robot but a giant leap for sustainable and efficient shipping.
The results are not only convincing scientists and engineers, but also – and most importantly – the crews on board. Douglas Sier, Captain of the “Hudson Express,” has seen the difference that ITCH technology makes in person. “Since we have had the system on board, we have seen a clear improvement in the performance of our vessel,” he says. “The reduced build-up of biofouling ensures a more stable speed and lower fuel consumption, while it is easy for our own seafarers to use and saves precious time that the entire crew would otherwise have to spend in port waiting for regular defouling. ITCH is definitely a giant leap forward for sustainable and efficient shipping – and we wouldn’t want to miss it!”
With innovative solutions like Shipshave, Hapag-Lloyd is demonstrating that sustainable corporate responsibility and long-term economic growth should always be viewed as two parts of a whole. “At Hapag-Lloyd, we continue to focus on innovative technologies and more efficient ships to reduce our environmental footprint,” says Bhatia, glancing contentedly at the small Shipshaver robot working tirelessly on the huge hull. “But this progress is only possible through the joint efforts of everyone.”
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