Jotun has signed the first commercial contract for container vessels with its ground-breaking Jotun Hull Skating Solutions (HSS). The contract was signed with global container shipping and logistics leader MSC, Mediterranean Shipping Company, notes a press release from the company.

MSC, a company committed to investing in decarbonising its operations, will install the Jotun HullSkater, the first robotic technology that has been designed for proactive cleaning, and the specially developed high performance SeaQuantum Skate antifouling as parts of the Hull Skating Solutions, on the 14,000 TEU MSC EVA later this year. The solution will then proactively work to ensure an “always clean” vessel hull, with no biofouling, optimal efficiency, reduced fuel costs and significantly lower CO₂ emissions.

Jotun unveiled HSS to the market in March this year. Designed to help shipowners facing the most severe biofouling challenges, it combines the antifouling and robotic proactive cleaner, housed onboard the chosen vessel, with proactive condition monitoring, high-end technical service, and performance and service level guarantees. Jotun operators control the HullSkater via a 4G connection, conducting cleaning and inspections in line with individual vessel schedules developed through a proprietary algorithm and big data.

It is a unique proactive cleaning solution, delivering unique results. This, as Alberto Genovesi – Marine Global Key Account Manager, Performance Coatings, Jotun – explains, instantly appealed to MSC’s desire to invest in game-changing innovative technology.

Jotun believes that if all ships facing such challenges adopted the HSS proactive approach – cleaning hulls before biofouling takes hold and therefore eliminating associated drag and fuel consumption – maritime CO₂ emissions could be reduced by at least 40 million tons per year.

 “We are acutely aware that the shipping industry needs to adopt innovative solutions to meet ambitious environmental goals,” states Giuseppe Gargiulo, Head of Newbuildings, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. “We believe HSS will help solve the problem of biofouling, equating to strong benefits for the natural world – through reduced emissions and decreased spread of invasive species – and better results for our business, customers and society. This is the embodiment of what we’re looking to achieve at MSC.