Biofouling vessels, especially ship hulls, significantly increase the vehicles drag, reduces overall hydrodynamic performance of the vessel, and increase the fuel consumption.
Other mechanisms impacted by biofouling include microelectrochemical drug delivery devices, papermaking and pulp industry machines, underwater instruments, fire protection system piping, and sprinkler system nozzles.
Biofouling communities also have the potential to transport invasive non-native speciesacross geographical niches; such activities can have disastrous effects on native populations and communities.
The introduction of invasive aquatic species to new environments by ships has been identified as a major threat to the world’s oceans and to the conservation of biodiversity. A multitude of marine species, carried either in ships’ ballast water or on ships’ hulls, may survive to establish a reproductive population in the host environment, becoming invasive, out-competing native species and multiplying into pest proportions.
“As far as ships are concerned, these organisms may lead decrease of speed by up to 10%, something that in turn may require even a 40% increase in fuel to counterbalance.”
Extra fuel costs due to fouling: $30 000 000 000
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