During the late 1700s, King George III was introduced to a revolutionary idea by Sir Charles Middleton, the comptroller of the British Royal Navy. Middleton presented the king with a modified warship model called the Bellona, complete with shimmering copper plates on the hull. These plates had the ability to repel marine organisms and make ships faster. The king was impressed and soon ordered the entire British naval fleet to be adorned with copper plates. This innovative solution helped combat the age-old problem of ships returning to port with hulls covered in barnacles and seaweed.
Even today, copper is applied to oceangoing vessels as a part of antifouling paints, preventing fouling and reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. However, with stricter regulations on emissions, ship owners are now focusing more on hull coatings. The challenge lies in finding effective and sustainable coatings that are affordable and do not harm the environment. Even a small increase in hull roughness can greatly impact emissions, making it important for ship owners to choose the right coating.
There are two main options: biocide-based coatings and fouling-release coatings. Biocide-based coatings kill marine organisms on the hull, but excessive use can be harmful. For example, the antifouling coating tributyltin (TBT) caused significant damage to marine life and was banned in 2008. Fouling-release coatings, on the other hand, prevent organisms from sticking to the hull or allow weak adherence that can be easily removed when the ship is in motion.
One example of a fouling-release coating is the silicone-based coating Sigmaglide, which has been continuously improved by PPG Industries over the years. The latest version of this coating reacts with water at the nanoscale, resulting in an extra smooth surface. Laboratory trials have shown significant reduction in drag, with the company claiming up to 35% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional coatings. However, fouling-release coatings can be costly and are less effective for ships that remain static for long periods.
Innovations to tackle fouling are on the rise, with some inspired by nature. For instance, scientists are developing textured coverings that mimic the roughness of sharkskin, known for its drag-reducing and antifouling properties. Ultrasound and ultraviolet light are also being explored to prevent marine organisms from attaching to hulls. However, these approaches require further evaluation as they may have unintended consequences.
In addition, researchers like Nick Aldred from the University of Essex are studying bacteria that can degrade barnacle glue, with the goal of encouraging the formation of a biofilm that prevents colonization by larger marine organisms. Although this research is still unpublished, Aldred’s team is optimistic about the results.
Fortunately, ship owners no longer need royal approval to explore these innovative solutions. Who knows what King George III would have thought of “boat yogurt” as a probiotic for ships?
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