COAST Talks Podcast · COAST Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies

Robotics, Biofouling and Invasive Species Prevention

·38 min·3 clips

Barnacles on ship hulls can spike fuel costs by 30%, but a robot cleaner cuts emissions immediately.

This episode of COAST Talks features Wojtek Klaptuc, co-founder and CEO of Offshore Designs Limited, discussing robotic ship hull cleaning. Host Sophie Silks explores how this technology addresses biofouling, which is the accumulation of organisms on ship hulls. Klaptuc is a mechanical engineer and naval architect who previously worked on tidal energy projects and ship designs, including the Vancouver SeaBus. The main problem is that biofouling increases drag, leading to significantly higher fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Studies indicate slime can increase drag by 5-10%, while hard fouling like mussels or barnacles can increase it by 20-30%. Biofouling also turns ship hulls into vectors for spreading invasive species between ports. Jurisdictions like Australia, New Zealand, and the Galapagos now require ships to arrive with clean hulls, with Transport Canada also developing guidelines. Historically, harmful anti-fouling coatings were used until bans starting in 2008 made biofouling a re-emerging issue. Offshore Designs uses underwater drones for biofouling surveys, creating visual dashboards to show hull condition. Their first-generation robot, Hallmate, is an 80-kilogram magnetic machine with brushes and a scraper to remove heavy growth. A planned second-generation robot will use thrusters for attachment and focus on cleaning slime for proactive maintenance. The company operates a service model, often partnering with divers for areas their robot cannot access. Klaptuc notes the international regulatory landscape for in-water cleaning is still evolving, with global rules expected between 2025 and 2029. A surprising insight is that cleaning a heavily fouled hull can have a payback period measured in weeks due to immediate fuel savings. The company's work with BC Ferries involved inspecting 17 vessels every six months over two and a half years to track growth. Klaptuc reveals that in some regions, like Haida Gwaii, local authorities are starting to insist on clean hulls for barges to protect distinct environments. The discussion highlights that the primary current competition is not other robots but human divers, who often prefer to partner with the technology. The tone is conversational and educational, focusing on applied technology and environmental solutions. The style is interview-based, with the host prompting detailed explanations about technical development and market challenges. Listeners interested in marine technology, environmental sustainability, and industrial robotics would find this episode compelling. Those seeking highly narrative stories or debates on policy might find the technical focus less engaging.

As heard by us

A practical look at hull-cleaning robots as fuel, emissions, and biosecurity infrastructure.

COAST Talks focuses on the practical side of ocean innovation: ship hull cleaning as a fuel, emissions, and invasive-species issue all at once.

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Want a grounded look at robots that clean ship hulls and improve fuel efficiency?

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