Biofouling — the accumulation of barnacles, plants and algae on ship hulls — is only getting worse as waters warm and as port congestion increases idle time, according to a recent I-Tech study.
As it builds up, the biological material adds drag and reduces fuel efficiency, costing shippers money and releasing greenhouse gases unnecessarily. The study found that the risk of biofouling accumulation increases significantly when a vessel idles or is in warmer water.
“Fouling takes place significantly...