London, UK
Day 2 - Hull Performance, Biofouling & Antifouling Management - GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, GMTZ)
Inspecting and Assessing Hull Condition
- Examine hull inspection methodologies and condition-assessment approaches
- Identify fouling severity and areas requiring intervention
- Address niche areas including sea chests, gratings, thrusters and other susceptible locations
- Understand the role of divers, ROVs and digital inspection technologies
- Establish inspection intervals based on vessel risk and operational profile
Active Learning – Inspection Scenario: Using a simulated vessel inspection report, participants assess hull condition, prioritise areas of concern and recommend the next operational action.
In-Water Cleaning & Hull Grooming
- Compare proactive hull grooming with reactive cleaning
- Examine different in-water cleaning methods and technologies
- Understand cleaning with and without capture
- Evaluate risks to antifouling coatings during cleaning
- Consider environmental implications of removed biofouling and coating debris
- Explore current IMO guidance and relevant in-water cleaning standards
- Understand post-cleaning verification and documentation
The earlier research already recognised mechanical and robotic hull cleaning as important biofouling-control measures. The updated course takes this further by focusing on when, why and how an operator should intervene.
Active Learning – Clean or Wait? Simulation: Teams receive different hull-condition and vessel-performance scenarios and decide whether to monitor, inspect, groom, clean or defer intervention, defending their decisions.
- Geoffrey Swain - Director of the Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control, Florida Institute of Technology
Measuring Vessel and Hull Performance
- Identify meaningful hull and propeller performance indicators
- Establish performance baselines and recognise deterioration
- Examine speed loss, power demand and fuel-performance trends
- Differentiate hull-related performance losses from weather and operational influences
- Evaluate performance before and after cleaning or maintenance
- Translate technical performance improvements into fuel, emissions and cost benefits
The financial and environmental relationship between hull condition, drag and fuel consumption was already a major feature of the original research.
Active Learning – Performance Analysis Exercise: Participants interpret simplified vessel-performance information, identify signs of deterioration and recommend an evidence-based intervention.
Digitalisation & Smart Hull Management
- Explore digital hull-performance monitoring and vessel analytics
- Examine condition-based and predictive maintenance approaches
- Understand the role of ROVs, robotic systems and underwater imaging
- Explore AI-assisted performance analysis and fouling detection
- Assess how data can support optimal cleaning and maintenance decisions
- Recognise data-quality limitations when evaluating hull performance
Active Learning – Data-to-Decision Challenge: Participants use a simulated fleet dashboard to prioritise vessels for inspection, cleaning or continued monitoring based on operational and performance indicators.
- Geoffrey Swain - Director of the Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control, Florida Institute of Technology
Lifecycle Planning & Commercial Decision Making
- Integrate coating selection, inspection, cleaning and dry-docking into a lifecycle strategy
- Balance cleaning frequency against coating condition and longevity
- Evaluate maintenance expenditure against performance losses
- Apply cost-benefit and total-cost-of-ownership thinking
- Connect technical decisions with operational, environmental and commercial outcomes
- Establish appropriate hull-performance KPIs and intervention thresholds
Active Learning – Lifecycle Decision Case: Groups develop a multi-year hull management approach for a vessel, balancing coating performance, cleaning interventions, dry-docking, compliance and operating costs.
Building a Future-Ready Fleet Strategy
- Develop a proactive fleet-wide approach to hull performance and biofouling management
- Establish responsibilities, governance and reporting structures
- Integrate regulatory compliance with operational decision-making
- Create inspection, monitoring and intervention protocols
- Incorporate emerging technologies without losing sight of operational feasibility
- Establish continuous monitoring and improvement processes
- Prepare for evolving regulatory and environmental expectations
Active Learning – Capstone Action Plan: Participants create a practical Hull Performance & Biofouling Management Action Plan for their vessel or organisation, covering risk → prevention → monitoring → inspection → cleaning → verification → performance measurement → continuous improvement. Participants peer-review their plans and identify actions they can implement immediately after the course.
- Geoffrey Swain - Director of the Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control, Florida Institute of Technology