Hull Surface Treatment (HST) is a new environmentally friendly hull cleaning treatment for removing growth from a ship's hull.

It uses no chemicals, detergents or substances which are foreign or harmful to the marine environment. The HST system utilises thermal shock to instantly kill the growth and its spores. more

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Download the PUBLISHED PAPER on the effectiveness of HST on treating Sea-Chests and eliminating Bio-Security risk.

HST was applied to the underwater vertical sides of the ship IRON MONARCH a week before it sailed to Singapore. The underwater surface of the ship is coated in INTERNATIONAL PAINTS INTERSLEEK 900. The treatment was carried out in Port Kembla. Within a few days of sailing the ship had increased its speed from 15 knots to 15.5 -16 knots. A week later the ship was experiencing a top speed of 18 knots. Once again we are witnessing the benefits of a significant improvement to a ships performance as a result of HST.

Quote from ships Chief Engineer a week after sailing from Port Kembla:
"As a follow up to the HST hull work the other day........Doing real good speed (16kts and up to 18kts at some stage, she is galloping along)........ It was worth while doing and job well done - Thank You".

The IRON MONARCH was dry-docked in Singapore late last year and the hull was coated in INTERNATIONAL PAINTS INTERSLEEK 900, a new generation fouling release silicon based paint. When the ship returned to Australia after its docking it achieved a slower speed and consumed more fuel than it had on its trip to Singapore prior to docking. This was as a result of a build-up of mature growth on the hull while the ship was berthed in Singapore for a month after dry-docking.

Expensive new generation Silicon based anti foul paints have proven to be a great disappointment to ship owners. At $3 million for the average system on an average sized ship it is no wonder that ship owners are looking for a cost effective solution to their fouled hull. A good quality anti foul SPC paint combined with a HST hull maintenance regime will achieve significant results for much less costs.

If ship owners find themselves with a new generation coating that has not performed as the paint companies promised then HST can provide an extremely cost effective solution.