HullWiper to launch mobile hull cleaning in Namibia

Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has issued an environmental clearance certificate to KWINT to operate HullWiper’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) hull cleaning equipment, making the southwest African nation the first country where hull cleans will be conducted using the self-contained 40-ft hull cleaning container.

The customised container includes a fully functioning engineroom, workshop and control area from where trained technicians work. The air-conditioned unit will be stored in a Walvis Bay jetty for quick and easy mobilisation and demobilisation for vessels calling at the port or outer port limits.

HullWiper’s ROV allows the pollutants removed during a clean to be collected by an onboard filter unit for safe disposal onshore. The diver-free system uses adjustable seawater jets as the cleaning medium, instead of brushes or abrasives, to minimise the risk of damage to coatings. Cleaning can be conducted either day or night, in most weather conditions, and while cargo operations are underway.

KWINT general manager Jerry Bakx said “Our partnership with HullWiper is in full support of Namibia’s 2030 vision to introduce innovative, eco-friendly solutions to various sectors that operate in the country. This collaboration is a move in the right direction to provide our clients with a cost-efficient solution to remove biofouling from their vessel hulls, while protecting our delicate marine eco-system.”

The hull cleaning operations in Namibia will be headed by Ciska Swart of Hull Cleaning Namibia.

To date HullWiper has conducted more than 1,000 hull cleans for vessels worldwide. KWINT is the latest partner to join a growing network under HullWiper’s lease agreement launched in 2017. The network allows partners to offer shipowners and operators an alternative to traditional hull cleaning methods, to protect both expensive anti-fouling coatings on vessel hulls and the ocean ecosystem.

HullWiper managing director Simon Doran said “KWINT’s addition to the HullWiper family continues our global expansion and increases availability of our environmentally friendly services to principals, both existing and new ones. We share with KWINT a consistent approach to reducing the spread of invasive species with operations that significantly reduce the risk to life.”