The emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide
(CO2) and nitrous oxides (NOx) as well as pollutants such as
sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) into the earth’s
atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels to drive ships is of
increasing concern internationally. While other aspects of ships
and shipping play their own part in this environmental concern,
a key factor is the underwater ship hull. This is subject to
biofouling, as micro-organisms and vegetable and animal matter
naturally attach to a ship’s hull. A fouled hull carries with it
a fuel penalty. The worse the fouling, the slower the ship will
sail at a given RPM. Or, put another way, the more power will be
required to keep the ship sailing at a given speed. This means
higher fuel consumption. Depending on the degree of fouling,
this can be as much as 85% more. Higher fuel consumption results
in a greater volume of greenhouse gases and other emissions
which pollute the earth’s atmosphere. The way to keep the fuel
penalty as low