Committed to Innovation and Sustainability in Biofouling Management

Driving Home, The Biofouling Management Message

Biofouling on a vessel’s internal seawater systems (i.e., sea chests, bow/stern thrusters, propeller shafts, inlet gratings, etc.) has structural and operational impacts.  It can create operational inefficiencies that lead to decreased fuel efficiency, structural integrity, and overall performance for any ocean-going vessel.

Therefore, owner/operators must consider the operational impacts of biofouling and the environmental costs. This will include transporting invasive aquatic species and increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As well as economic costs related to fuel efficiency and other operational expenses, such as maintenance.

We continue to drive home our message that effective biofouling management can play a part in the marine industry’s goals to reach zero carbon emissions. As well as address the concern of cross-contamination of invasive species.

Looking For More Than One Solution 

However, our customers and the marine industry as a whole are looking for more than one solution, having several long-term sustainable solutions that will contribute to the overall decrease of greenhouse gases and that are respectable to our oceans and waterways, will contribute to both the Green and Blue Economies.

Committed To Research

Over the last several years, we committed to continued research and development to support our mandate to be accountable, respectful, and look after the world’s vulnerable ocean ecosystems. In this commitment, we have sought out industry experts and leaders, which has allowed us to form a strong working relationship with one of the leading experts in marine biofouling, Dr. Ashley Coutts, Managing Director and Principal Scientist of Biofouling Solutions in Tasmania.

We have been fortunate to have the help of Dr. Tom Dakin, Chief Scientist, at Sea to Shore Systems Ltd. in Sidney on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada with our recent research on our low-frequency acoustic marine growth protection system. EMCS undertook this study because we wanted to be able to address the environmental concern of shipping noise. We are able to confirm that sound emitted by our low-frequency acoustic MGPS (the MARELCO™ Wave) appears to be subsumed by the vessel’s sound profile. Therefore, it does not add to the shipping noise problem when fitted vessels are underway.

Ones To Watch

In 2022, EMCS was honored to be highlighted as ‘One to Watch” in innovation in the Biofouling Challenge, presented by the World Ocean Council (WOC) and The Ocean Opportunity Lab (TOOL) . While we didn’t win the top honors. We are one of 20 principal stakeholders noted as “One’s to Watch” in the bid for successfully battling the problems of biofouling and invasive aquatic species transportation. While pushing for environmentally friendly antifouling solutions, such as our low-frequency acoustic MGPS. As such, we are noted as one of a group of “high potential biofouling innovators” to watch in the future.

Our low-frequency acoustic MGPS is not a new technology, product, or coating: it dates back to the 1980s. The system does not harm or kill hard-fouling organisms; it merely deters them from attaching to the surfaces of niche areas and internal seawater systems. The system does not protect against or remove soft fouling and does not interfere with any electrolysis or cause harm to steel in ships’ internal seawater systems.

We have made substantial progress with this antifouling system (MARELCO™ WAVE). However, in addition to our most recent research, we will continue to invest in development, research and technology to achieve the sustainable goals we have set for ourselves. We are excited that this system is integral to our sustainable product development.

Goals For Our Sustainable Future

Decarbonization and biosecurity are our primary goals at this time. However, as we look forward, we also intend to develop a fully sustainable product that reduces the amount of copper leakage into the ocean as a function of our (and others’) electrolytic antifouling strategies.  Our initial goal is to reduce our toxin impact on the environment by at least 75%. We already have a design that will achieve, at minimum, a 50% reduction in harmful effects on the ocean ecosystems.

Our sustainability goals using our antifouling and anticorrosion products are to reduce emissions and contribute to eradicating cross-contamination of species.  We will continue to address noise pollution and reduce the level of toxins released into the ocean. With all sustainable initiatives, the journey is a lengthy and expensive process.  However, we are looking forward to the ride and hope you join us in implementing sustainable biofouling management on your vessel.