SEAFRONT
This project aims to facilitate a leap forward in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from marine transport and the conservation of the marine ecosystem. It adopts a multidisciplinary and synergistic approach to fouling control.
Project leader
Professor Tony Clare
Dates
January 2014 to December 2017
Sponsors
European Commission
Description
Marine biofouling is a massive challege to the sustainability of shipping. Biofouling is the unwanted colonization of marine organisms on surfaces immersed in seawater. It has a huge economic and environmental impact.
This is due to the following:
- Maintenance requirements for marine structures
- Increased vessel fuel consumption
- Operating costs
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Spread of non-indigenous species
The SEAFRONT project aims to significantly advance the control of biofouling and reduce hydrodynamic drag.
It integrates multiple technology concepts such as:
- Surface structure
- Surface chemistry
- Bio-active/bio-based fouling control methodologies
It integrates them into one environmentally benign and drag-reducing solution.
This solution is for mobile and stationary maritime applications.
A combination of laboratory-based performance benchmarking and end-user field trials will be undertaken.
This will develop an enhanced fundamental/mechanistic understanding of the coating-biofouling interaction. It will understand the impact of this interaction on hydrodynamic drag.
The project informs technology development and down-selection of promising fouling control solutions.
Website: http://seafront-project.eu/