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offered by EverClean, fundamentally changes the game. Hull grooming is de? ned as the “gentle, habitual and frequent me- chanical maintenance of submerged ships’ hulls” to keep them free from extraneous matter with minimal impact to the coat- ing. Our EverClean robots are designed to apply the minimum force necessary to remove incipient fouling and bio? lms with- out damaging the coating surface. By maintaining a consistent-

All coating materials ly clean hull, EverClean offers a compelling array of bene? ts: are put through rigorous ? Environmental Sustainability: Gentle grooming reduces brush testing that discharge of biocides and paint particles, while helping curb simulates years of use. the spread of invasive species.

? Reduced Emissions: An always-clean hull dramatically Together, EverClean and its industry partners are building lowers frictional drag, directly translating to substantial fuel the foundation for a future where the world’s ? eet can rely savings and a signi? cant reduction in greenhouse gas emis- on durable coatings maintained proactively—rather than on sions. Our research, and that of others, consistently shows paints that release toxins or gradually wear away in the wa- that maintaining a smooth hull can lead to double-digit fuel ter. By enabling vessels to move away from coatings that rely ef? ciency improvements and corresponding CO2 reductions. on gradual erosion or chemical toxicity, EverClean supports a ? Extended Coating Lifespan: Gentle, frequent grooming long-term transition to hull maintenance practices that priori- preserves the integrity of the hull coating, whether it’s a bio- tize durability, environmental protection, and operational ef- cide-based paint or a foul-release system. Unlike aggressive ? ciency. The future of coatings is one where performance and cleaning which strips away paint thickness, grooming helps sustainability are no longer in tension—and proactive groom- maintain coating function without causing excessive wear or ing makes that future possible.

roughening of the surface. This prolongs the service life of

A Clean, Green Maritime Future the coatings, extending the time between costly dry-dockings.

? Enhanced Performance: Ships maintained with proactive The path to a cleaner, greener maritime industry will require grooming operate at optimal ef? ciency, avoiding the perfor- both innovation and commitment. As regulatory pressure mance penalties associated with biofouling. This means con- grows and environmental impacts become more visible, ship sistent speed, reduced wear on machinery, and predictable operators are seeking solutions that reduce emissions, protect operational costs. marine ecosystems, and enhance operational performance. ? Occupational Safety: Automated grooming systems re- EverClean offers a practical and scalable way forward. By duce the need for human divers to perform hazardous un- shifting from reactive cleaning and toxic coatings to proac- derwater cleaning, improving occupational health and safety tive, robotic grooming, the industry can maintain cleaner within the maritime industry. hulls, extend coating life, and lower fuel consumption—all while minimizing harm to the ocean. Though challenges re- main, especially in moving toward durable, biocide-free coat-

The Rise of Non-Toxic Alternatives and EverClean’s Role

Looking ahead, the next frontier for sustainable hull main- ings, EverClean is investing in the tools and technology to tenance goes beyond reducing biocides—it must also address make that future achievable. A ? eet that stays clean without the growing concern over microplastic pollution. Traditional polluting the water is no longer just a vision—it’s an emerging cleaning methods, even when applied to non-toxic coatings, reality. With EverClean, the maritime sector can meet its en- can release microscopic paint particles into the water. These vironmental obligations without compromising performance, particles contribute to long-lasting marine contamination. For helping to shape a sustainable future for global shipping.

EverClean, the future lies in a global ? eet maintained with Clean ships. Clean seas. Forward together.

durable, non-eroding hard coatings that contain no biocides and are not designed to slough off over time.

The Author

Realizing this vision will require continued development of technology that enables gentle, comprehensive cleaning of

Glowacky the entire hull as often as necessary—without degrading the

Paige Glowacky serves as the Director of Product for EverClean at Greensea coating. EverClean’s roadmap re? ects this goal: advancing

IQ. Before her tenure at Greensea IQ robotic systems capable of operating at high frequency and and entry into the maritime sector, she low impact, with the precision needed to support a shift to held Product Manager positions at vari- hard coatings. In parallel, coating manufacturers are develop- ous late-stage startups within the tech- ing new hard, non-eroding systems that forgo biocides and nology and ? nancial industries.

are designed to perform under regular, light-touch grooming. www.marinelink.com 15 www.marinelink.com 15

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