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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/