GRD-Franmarine says its new industry-first Envirocart has the possibility of generating scores of new jobs and bringing in hundreds of millions to the WA economy.

 

The technology is also intended to clean floating production storage and offloading vessels and oil production rigs in-situ, saving millions in relocation and dry docking costs.

 

This is the first proven system to receive government approval to conduct in-water hull cleaning in the Port of Fremantle since it was banned by Australia and New Zealand 20 years ago. 

 

It has since been banned in many world ports. 

 

Globally the hull-cleaning industry is worth US$10.2 billion (A$12.9 billion). 

 

Dry docking is expensive and time consuming but the only other option for Australian ships has been to choose IWHC in a jurisdiction that still allowed it, harming the environment despite saving on costs and time. 

 

"Envirocart completely revolutionises this system, allowing hull cleaning to take place in the water in a faster, cheaper and more efficient manner, while ensuring the marine environment is protected from toxic anti-fouling paint and invasive marine species being dislodged by the cleaning process," GRD-Franmarine said. 

 

The company is holding a world-first demonstration today at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson in Perth.