Coating manufacturers have developed coatings for almost all eventualities but not as yet one that would be considered ideal for every permutation of factors. Once the coating has been applied, the operator is usually very much on their own as regards its future performance. That situation is changing as Jotun has developed a new program called HullKeeper.

HullKeeper has been designed to enable operators to optimise the performance of their chosen hull coating through to the next drydocking or beyond, even if the operating parameters of the ship have changed and the coating would not normally be recommended. Also, where vessels are chartered in and the operator has little say in the choice of coating applied, HullKeeper does allow some control of performance over time and permits verification of any implemented actions aimed at improving performance.

With Jotun’s new HullKeeper Program, the operator will have the opportunity to draw on the company’s vast experience in coating performance optimisation and advice on measures to take to ensure that worst case scenarios can be avoided.

Enabling better decisions, faster

The idea behind HullKeeper is to offer customised monitoring of hull performance and fouling pressure by combining and processing data from different sources. Using the data provided, The HullKeeper Program will build an operational profile of the vessel for the owner to draw on. This could be for a single vessel or a full fleet. The service will then determine if a vessel has been exposed to a certain fouling risk. This is done by means of Jotun’s fouling risk algorithm which combines trade auditing periods and oceanographic parameters.

If the fouling risk is considered as warranting investigation, an underwater inspection using a ROV will be recommended. Based upon the video of the hull condition, which can be transferred almost instantaneously, Jotun specialists can use their expertise and prepare an in-depth report to the operator. Because the fouling risk is being constantly monitored, a need for future action should be determined well before fouling becomes a major problem.

Included in HullKeeper is an advisory service that can be used to determine what action is needed and when and where it can be arranged. Alternatively, based on the knowledge of the coating, other remedial actions could be made.