Using robots to clean cargo holds can save lives and bring economic benefits, according to a leading shipowner speaking at Riviera Maritime Media’s How digitalisation, automation and robotics are transforming cargo hold cleaning webinar
This event, held 1 March 2023 during Riviera’s Bulk Carrier Webinar Week in association with Intercargo, focused on the use of remotely controlled robots to clean cargo holds.
Traditional methods of cargo hold cleaning are ripe for technological disruption, and changes to bulk carrier trading patterns are creating opportunities for robotics. Operators who can seamlessly, swiftly and safely switch between cargoes will be able to realise greater earning opportunities.
Lauritzen Bulkers is an early leader in developing and testing robots for effective hold cleaning. Its technical manager and senior marine superintendent Martin Kondrup said crawler robots can clean 85-95% of all hold surfaces, reducing the risks to seafarers from working at height in enclosed spaces with chemicals.
“There are far less safety issues. Robots improve the health of crew,” he said, adding that shipowners and charterers should consider buying or renting robots for cargo hold cleaning. “There will be a lot of economic benefits.”
Lauritzen has been involved in developing hold-cleaning robots for seven years and has seen benefits through testing prototypes and pilot projects.
“The advantages include reduced chemical use, which has economical and safety impacts and cuts pollution,” said Mr Kondrup.
Lauritzen has cleaned bulk carriers in two days to grain-clean standards using one robot and two crew, “one on deck working the pump and one in the cargo hold remotely controlling the robot.”
It uses robots with cameras to inspect upper areas and has worked with two robots in parallel to clean cargo holds quicker. “Robots improve general cleaning and general maintenance,” said Mr Kondrup. They can remove paint flakes and scale, and prepare holds for steel painting.
There are challenges, including training crew to use robots and providing a constant supply of fresh water to them during operations. There may also be challenges in getting power to robots, especially in older bulk carriers.
“Robots are not perfect tools, they will not replace existing equipment. They deal with 85-95% cargo holds. We still need equipment for remaining 5-15%,” said Mr Kondrup.
He said developing tools for robots will enable them to access more of the complicated structures in cargo holds for inspection and cleaning.
Brookes Bell principal master mariner Daniel Millett said increasing numbers of owners and charterers are considering using robots to clean cargo holds. But many are still reluctant to invest in any cleaning equipment.
“Some operators and owners do not supply basic hold-cleaning kits, they are reluctant to provide this basic equipment,” said Capt Millett.
This has led to disputes that have needed to go to arbitration between charterers and owners. Disputes can be over whether holds are fit to load cargoes, if the crew should have used cleaning chemicals or whether there was enough time to clean the holds between cargoes.
“There have been inspection failures such as previous cargo residue, loose flaking paint, rust and scale,” said Capt Millett. Some of these have led to ships going off-hire for additional cleaning.
Cleaning robots can prevent many of these issues, but it is still a relatively new technology. “Anything that improves crew safety is much welcomed,” he continued. “Crew otherwise use cargo nets and ladders for cleaning holds. This is dangerous.”
Capt Millett expects the future of hold cleaning will involve a mixture of robots and traditional manned labour.
Webinar poll results
Attendees were asked to vote on a series of poll questions during the webinar. Here is a summary of the results.
Which of the following best describes your view on the potential impact of digitalisation, automation and robotics on the safety of cargo hold cleaning?
Highly beneficial: the use of digitalisation, automation and robotics in cargo hold cleaning can significantly improve safety by reducing the need for human entry into enclosed spaces and improving the accuracy and efficiency of cleaning processes: 24%
Somewhat beneficial: while there may be some safety benefits to using digitalisation, automation and robotics in cargo hold cleaning, there are still significant risks and limitations that need to be addressed: 41%
Neutral: the safety impact of digitalisation, automation and robotics on cargo hold cleaning is uncertain, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks: 32%
Potentially harmful: the use of digitalisation, automation and robotics in cargo hold cleaning may pose new safety risks and could lead to complacency or a reduction in necessary safety protocols: 3%
Not applicable: digitalisation, automation and robotics are not relevant to cargo hold cleaning safety and have no impact on improving safety outcomes: 0%
Which of the following best summarises present cargo and charter party attitudes towards cargo hold cleaning?
Cargo and charterparties are highly supportive of the use of digitalisation, automation and robotics and the role they can play in transforming cargo hold cleaning: 9%
While recognising the potential benefits, cargo and charterparties are proceeding with caution and implementing these technologies gradually: 14%
Cargo and charterparty interests are taking a wait-and-see approach to digitalisation, automation and robotics when it comes to cargo hold cleaning: 50%
Cargo and charterparty interests are doubtful about the benefits of digitalisation, automation and robotics when it comes to cargo hold cleaning and are hesitant to make any investments in this area: 27%
Cargo and charterparty interests are actively resisting the use of digitalisation, automation and robotics when it comes to cargo hold cleaning and are opposed to using or promoting these technologies: 0%
To what extent will the future be a mix of technology and ship’s crew using more traditional methods?
Mostly technology: the future will rely heavily on technological solutions, with minimal involvement from ship’s crew using traditional methods: 4%
More technology than traditional methods: while some traditional methods will still be used, technology will play a larger role in the future of shipping: 28%
An even mix of technology and traditional methods: while technology will be integrated into some processes, traditional methods will still be the primary approach to ship operations in the future: 64%
More traditional methods than technology: while technology will be integrated into some processes, traditional methods will still be the primary approach to ship operations in the future: 4%
Mostly traditional methods: the future of shipping will remain rooted in traditional methods, with limited use of technology to support these approaches: 0%
Can hold cleaning robots make hold preparation safer?
Strongly agree: cleaning robots can greatly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries during hold preparation: 33%
Somewhat agree: while cleaning robots may not eliminate all risks, they certainly help make preparation safer: 60%
Neutral: I am not sure whether cleaning robots would make hold preparation safer or not: 7%
Somewhat disagree: cleaning robots may have limited effectiveness in making hold preparation safer and could even create new risks or challenges: 0%
Strongly disagree: hold preparation requires human expertise and supervision, and cleaning robots could never replace the necessary human involvement to ensure safety: 0%
How do hold cleaning robots rate in terms of effectiveness versus experienced and well-equipped crew?
Extremely effective - outperforms crews: 6%
Very effective - positive results which more than matches crew performance: 9%
Effective - delivers intended outcome with some limitations or areas for improvement: 53%
Somewhat effective - moderate success and some positive outcomes, but limitations and even negative consequences: 28%
Somewhat ineffective - limited benefits and some unintended negative consequences: 4%
Ineffective - a total non-starter: 0%
Source: Riviera Maritime Media
On Riviera’s How digitalisation, automation and robotics are transforming cargo hold cleaning webinar panel were (left to right) Brookes Bell principal master mariner Capt Daniel Millett and Lauritzen Bulkers technical manager and senior marine superintendent Martin Kondrup
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