Speakers
Biofouling Management: Ship Operations & Technology
Biofouling is a persistent challenge that degrades vessel performance, increases fuel consumption, and contributes to the spread of invasive species. Traditional reactive cleaning methods, employed only after biofouling has taken hold, are costly, less effective, and environmentally risky. These methods often result in higher greenhouse gas emissions and inconsistent adherence to regulations. In contrast, proactive cleaning strategies, supported by emerging autonomous technologies, focus on preventing biofouling before it can establish, offering a more sustainable and economically sound approach to hull maintenance.
Proactive cleaning not only keeps vessels operating at peak efficiency but also provides continuous hull mapping and data collection capabilities, which are critical for optimizing maintenance schedules and improving regulatory compliance. By conducting frequent, data-driven cleanings, these strategies enable more accurate monitoring of hull conditions, reducing the need for emergency interventions and the associated costs. This presentation will explore the advantages of proactive cleaning, including its ability to transform biofouling management, reduce operational expenses, and enhance both environmental and regulatory outcomes in the maritime industry.
Sidney McLaurin is the CEO of Fleet Robotics. Fleet Robotics makes small, automated mobile robots that help extend the useful life and performance of large industrial structures. Their first product is a continuous cleaning and inspection service for large vessels at sea. It's powered by novel robots that can autonomously traverse vertical surfaces in harsh conditions — even underwater while the ship is in motion. Sidney and his co-founders incubated the concept for Fleet while he was a Partner at Material Impact, a Boston-based venture capital fund. He has a Mechanical Engineering background and most recently worked at Lime, where he helped scale the micro-mobility company from a single market to the global presence it is today.