Page 60: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Jan/Feb 2026)

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Underwater processing – Removal of algae growth

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION DIODE LASERS on stone with blue diode laser.

Case Study: Cleaning Ship Hulls with Blue Lasers

The outstanding transmission properties of blue wave- lengths in water can also be leveraged to combat biofouling on ship hulls. In the research project “FoulLas,” funded by the project agency Jülich using resources from the German Federal

Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the project partners Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing

Technology and Applied Materials Research IFAM, Laserline

GmbH, and Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) demonstrat- ed for the frst time that targeted underwater laser irradiation can lethally damage marine fouling such as algae, mussels, and barnacles without harming the protective coatings beneath. Af- ter treatment, the dead fouling naturally detaches during the vessel’s next voyage due to the shear water forces. The method is a promising alternative to mechanical processes, which often cause damage to coatings and release living organisms.

A follow-up project called “FoulLas2” is now transferring

Before processing these laboratory results into practice: a semi-autonomous, magnetically adhering underwater crawler equipped with in- tegrated laser optics will systematically sweep the ship's hull and irradiate the fouling directly.

Conclusion:

Setting New Standards in Underwater Technology

Overall, the blue diode laser marks a technological mile- stone for the maritime industry. It combines effciency, preci- sion, and environmental friendliness in a compact system and opens new possibilities for underwater processing. Whether for the maintenance of offshore platforms, the inspection of pipelines, or the removal of marine fouling, the laser provides a powerful and sustainable solution for numerous application scenarios. For service, maintenance, and supply companies in the subsea sector, the system opens new technological hori- zons and may replace many established methods of underwa- ter processing in the medium to long term.

During

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