Two players bringing ROV hull cleaning tech to Singapore for ‘greener’ shipping

UAE-headquartered HullWiper has joined forces with Singapore’s Unidive Subsea to provide its remotely operated vehicle (ROV) hull cleaning technology in Singapore. This solution, which the UAE firm describes as eco-friendly, is expected to assist the Asian country in meeting its maritime decarbonization target of reaching net zero by 2050.

Thanks to a lease agreement with Unidive Subsea, HullWiper’s ROV hull cleaning solution is coming to Singapore’s PSA terminals, Seatrium yards, and the country’s inner anchorages. However, plans are also said to be in place to expand services to floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO), FSO, and semi-submersible units under contracts with regional oil and gas companies.

The UAE player sees Singapore’s maritime industry as a key contributor to its economy, driven by its strategic location at the intersection of major maritime trade routes; thus, the partnership between these two firms will focus on integrating “cutting-edge” technologies while promoting “sustainable growth” within the shipping industry.

Jeremiah Chen, Unidive Subsea’s Director, commented: “Innovation is key to success, and with Singapore’s maritime sector being a lynchpin to our country’s economic growth, having HullWiper in this region opens up new opportunities. It allows us to refine traditional service methods and adapt to the ever-evolving demands of this dynamic industry.”

The hull cleaning technology, which HullWiper perceives as a “sustainable” solution, is anticipated to support the country’s ‘Maritime Singapore Decarbonisation Blueprint’ which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through responsible and safe maritime practices. The firm’s solution is due to be launched in January 2025.

With over 2,000 hull cleans under its belt, HullWiper’s hull cleaning solution is expected to minimize downtime for vessels in the busy waterways of Singapore, enabling cleaning operations to occur at any time of day or night in most weather conditions and while cargo or bunker fuel operations are underway.

According to the UAE firm, the use of ROVs improves safety by reducing the risks associated with traditional diver-based cleaning while ensuring that residues and contaminants are collected and filtered through environmentally responsible processes, protecting marine life and water quality, and helping Singapore on its path to a “cleaner, greener” shipping sector.

John Armstrong, HullWiper Managing Director, highlighted: “HullWiper’s ROV technology offers an eco-conscious approach to hull cleaning. It makes hull cleaning more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly, allowing vessels to operate at peak performance while reducing fuel consumption and lowering GHG emissions.”

HullWiper’s deal with Unidive Subsea is similar to others the firm has struck over the years, including the one the UAE player made with World Subsea Services in 2021 for the provision of sustainable and affordable hull cleaning solutions to vessels at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Singapore is taking steps to decarbonize not only its shipping sector but also its energy industry, as illustrated by its SGD 100 million (approximately $74.1 million) support package, which is anticipated to boost green growth in the marine and offshore energy arenas over the next five years.

• 🔗New agreements propel marine electrification in Singapore
• 🔗Singapore’s 1st fully electric cargo vessel, the Hydromover, hits the water
• 🔗Yinson GreenTech and WSS to set up charging infrastructure for Singapore’s first all-electric cargo ship
• 🔗Yinson unit sets plan for Singapore’s next fully electric cargo vessel in motion
• 🔗MPA shortlists 11 proposals for design of fully electric harbor craft
• 🔗MPA Singapore launches pilot trial for electric harbor craft charging point (Gallery)