In the world of maritime transport, there’s a silent menace lurking beneath the waves, one that’s been stealthily eating into fuel efficiency and driving up emissions. It’s called biofilm, and it’s a problem that’s been under the microscope of researchers like Nastia Degiuli from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb. Her recent study, published in the journal ‘Energy Conversion and Management: X’, sheds light on the significant impact of biofilm on ship fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, offering a wake-up call to the maritime industry.
Biofilm, a thin layer of microorganisms, can form on a ship’s hull, increasing surface roughness and making it harder for the vessel to cut through the water. This increased resistance means ships have to burn more fuel to maintain speed, leading to higher operational costs and a larger carbon footprint. Degiuli’s study quantifies this impact, using a comprehensive lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodology that considers everything from operational emissions to maintenance and fuel production.
The study focused on two types of ships: a Very Large Crude Carrier (KVLCC2) and a Handymax Bulk Carrier (BC). By simulating eight different fouling conditions using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach, Degiuli and her team were able to quantify the impact of biofilm on hydrodynamic performance, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions.
The results were stark. Operational emissions, driven by increased fuel consumption due to biofilm, dominated the total lifecycle Global Warming Potential (GWP). As Degiuli puts it, “Maintenance emissions, although minor, play a critical role in mitigating resistance induced by biofouling.” This highlights the importance of regular hull cleaning and effective antifouling strategies.
So, what does this mean for the maritime industry? For one, it underscores the need for better biofouling management strategies. As Degiuli notes, “This study highlights the critical importance of biofouling management strategies, such as hull cleaning and antifouling coatings, to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce lifecycle GWP.” This could open up opportunities for companies specializing in hull cleaning technologies, antifouling coatings, and other biofouling management solutions.
Moreover, the study provides a data-driven basis for evaluating the long-term environmental and economic benefits of investing in these strategies. As the maritime industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, this could be a significant commercial opportunity.
In the end, Degiuli’s study serves as a reminder that the fight against climate change isn’t just about big, headline-grabbing solutions. Sometimes, it’s about tackling the small, often overlooked problems that can have a significant impact. As she puts it, “The LCA framework enables a holistic understanding of emissions trade-offs between hull cleaning and operational fouling.” By addressing the issue of biofilm, the maritime industry can make a meaningful contribution to the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.