Fuel consumption accounts for roughly two-thirds of a container vessel’s voyage costs and is a primary determinant of emissions performance. This study demonstrates, through real operational data, the impact of biofouling (hull and propeller fouling), often disregarded in maritime operations, on vessel performance and fuel costs.
The study is based on a controlled sea trial carried out on two sister ships with identical technical specifications. High-frequency sensor data from a recently cleaned ship and a ship that had not been cleaned for four years were compared, and key performance indicators such as speed, shaft power, RPM, and fuel consumption were analyzed. The results clearly demonstrate that biofouling increases vessel resistance and creates an additional fuel consumption load of 5–7%.
The study further reveals that high-resolution data obtained through IoT sensors, satellite communication, and cloud-based analytics platforms, compared with traditional noon reports, provide a solid basis for condition-based maintenance and cleaning decisions. Rather than fixed-time cleaning, data-based models that anticipate performance degradation allow both costs and emissions to be optimized.
In conclusion, this study shows that for maritime companies pursuing operational excellence, such as the Arkas fleet, biofouling management is not only a technical maintenance matter but also a strategic, economic, and environmental element of competitiveness. Data-driven approaches represent the key to measurable and proactive fleet management consistent with sustainability objectives.