High-Pressure Cleaning of Ship Hulls

Cleaning Ships’ Hulls and Preparing for Corrosion Protection

Removing biofouling—caused by algae, mussels, and other marine organisms—from hulls requires a targeted, powerful, yet gentle process. Over time, organisms settle on a ship’s hull, leading to two major negative effects: the hull becomes significantly rougher, which drastically increases hydrodynamic resistance and fuel consumption to maintain speed. Furthermore, the environment generated by the biofilm on the hull accelerates the risk of corrosion.

Periodic high-pressure ship hull cleaning is the most efficient and precise method to remove this biofilm. Our advanced high-pressure pump systems have been established globally as the industry standard for maritime applications for many years.

Targeted Biofouling Removal Without Damage

With working pressures up to 700 bar, hull fouling can be completely removed using only high-pressure water. The removal process utilizes nozzle technology driven by ultra-high-pressure plunger pumps. This is a highly efficient method for cleaning ships’ hulls.

Our exclusive high-pressure guns and rotating nozzles ensure high maneuverability for the operator and the ability to efficiently clean large areas. In this way, excellent cleanliness levels are achieved, strictly according to the international standards WJ-3 and WJ-4.

Removing Old Coatings with the Ship Hull Crawler

As well as routine cleaning, complete paint removal is frequently required to enable the subsequent application of a new corrosion protection system. This heavy-duty task is seamlessly carried out using the Ship Hull Crawler, combined with our powerful water jetting technology operating at pressures up to 2,500 bar.

By utilizing this semi-automated crawler system, the highest cleanliness levels of the steel surface—according to the stringent WJ-1 and WJ-2 standards—can be consistently achieved. This prepares the vessel perfectly for dry dock recoating operations without introducing harmful abrasives or chemicals into the environment.

Why Shipyards and Shipping Companies Choose LMT

We provide the maritime industry with robust equipment designed to maximize efficiency and minimize dry dock time:

• Maximum Efficiency: Reduce hydrodynamic drag and drastically lower vessel fuel consumption.
• Environmentally Safe: Chemical-free and abrasive-free cleaning using only pure water.
• KAMAT Benelux Partner: Direct access to the world’s most reliable heavy-duty plunger pumps.
• Surface Preservation: Adjustable pressures ensure biofouling is removed without damaging intact base coatings.

Looking to increase efficiency in your dry dock and explore the possibilities of ultra-high-pressure applications? Contact the technical specialists at LMT today for tailor-made advice on maritime solutions.