Proper, The Missing Link in Under-Water Hull Cleaning
Shipshave has secured funding with Innovation Norway to develop Proper. Proper is a new remotely operated technology to clean underwater ship surfaces such as hulls, propellers, rudders, thrusters and niches. Proper will be a small and robust and can be handcarried and operated by the vessel’s crew.
Propeller surfaces are keys to maintain fuel efficiency and the speed of the vessel. Since many engines will be derated with the new IMO efficiency regulations, ensuring your propeller is clean will allow you to stay competitive.
We aim to introduce Proper to the market during the 2nd half of 2022. Our warp speed R&D guys have already been able to start testing a functional prototype on a ship 4 months after the grant.
The image below shows a surface cleaned of barnacles (left bottom in the picture) vs. uncleaned (right and middle). The final tool will of course clear all fouling. The first prototype is doing well and we are working hard to make your life easy.
Demonstration and testing of ITCH on a Cement carrier
February 3rd we were invited to perform development testing on a Cement carrier departing from Ølen to Karmøy. For the second time within a week, the west coast of Norway presented itself at its finest. Ice was only present in the inner part of the fjord, so we were able to do valuable development testing for most of the trip as well as train our representative in the ARA-area, Rens Gerritsen. We believe that our presence in the ARA-area will open doors in the major marine hub.
Thanks to the crew and management for making the vessel available to Shipshave.
Testing of ITCH on a general cargo vessel
28th of January we were invited to perform development testing on a general cargo vessel departing Jelsa for Vats. With amazing winter weather, the scenery in the fjords presented itself as post card image worthy.
In the image we have elected, the bilge keel is shown on a downstroke. Darkness came upon us and we had to fit lights to the ITCH to be able to review its behaviour in the water.
The last test of the day was completed just in time to retrieve the ITCH prior to entering the ice. We plan to study the video footage and data collected to evaluate the performance of new features and adjustments tested during this test.
Thanks to the crew and management making the vessel available to Shipshave.
Demonstrating ITCH v.1.
On the sunny morning of January 21st, Shipshave was invited to demonstrate the ITCH v.1 onboard a Platform Supply vessel trading in the Stavanger area.
The team from Shipshave turned around quickly and mobilized on the marine logistic base approx. 1,5 hr later.
The master and crew, as well as Charterer shared our enthusiasm for the outlook of removing 3 years of fouling in a few hours. And that we did, however at a stage we had to throw in the towel due to the severe weather conditions. Despite of the equipment not performing optimally due to the high seas and strong winds, we still managed to remove fouling during the time we were operative. We know now that winds gusting at 55 knots is a bit too much. For the vessel and crew that was peanuts. The ITCH, dependent on steady water pressure readings, was challenged.
Again, thanks to ALL involved. We hope to come back and complete the demonstration calmer conditions.
Shipshave’s outreach is growing
Shipshave has a global outlook and with grand ambitions of growth we will in 2021 be complemented by a valued team member in the ARA-area.
Mr. Rens Gerritsen will be based in Rotterdam and has a MSc in Marine Engineering from Delft. Our new-comer has a solid technical background from shipping.
We will happily share his contact details in January.
Testing on a 70m Cargo-/Container ship
The Owners of the cargo ship allowed a team of 2 from Shipshave to embark at Husøy for the journey to Ølen to test some new features to complement the In-Transit Cleaning of Hulls.
We are quite excited to say that the innovation was tested successfully on both sides of the vessel sailing at ca 10 knots.
Many thanks to the Owner and crew.
Testing on a 111m bulker
The good vessel from Berge Rederi was loading north of Bergen bound for the continent. Shipshave’s team embarked in the afternoon and tested successfully new features for In-Transit Cleaning of Hulls (ITCH) while the vessel was steaming towards a bunker quay in the Haugesund-area.
Many thanks to the Owner and crew.