MOL looking to reduce fuel consumption with new Fouling Analysis app

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has released a new Fouling Analysis app which it anticipates will ‘significantly reduce unnecessary fuel consumption’ by tracking marine biofouling on the underwater surfaces of ships and proposing optimal maintenance procedures.

In a statement issued today (26 September), MOL said that, when using the app, ‘the state and cause of fouling are analysed using sensor data collected at intervals of several minutes and voyage data recorded daily since the ship’s delivery’.

MOL added: ‘By displaying the docking periods in bands, color-coding based on phytoplankton concentration, linking 3D hull surface photos, and considering the type of paint and the amount of speed deterioration, it is possible to analyse the causes of performance degradation and evaluate antifouling paints. Based on the accumulated data and analysis results, optimal cleaning, selection of the best antifouling paint according to the ship’s operation, and high-quality painting work can be carried out, thereby suppressing propulsion performance degradation and achieving efficient ship operation without unnecessary fuel consumption.’

Image: MOL