- Fleet-First Robotic Innovation: Carnival Pride is the first cruise ship to implement Jotun’s onboard HullSkater, a remotely operated underwater robot designed for proactive hull maintenance.
- Significant Energy and Fuel Savings: Removing early-stage marine growth reduces water resistance, helping optimize ship propulsion energy and lower overall carbon emissions.
- Protection of Marine Ecosystems: Continuous underwater hull grooming prevents the transport of invasive aquatic species, safeguarding delicate ocean environments around the world.
- Proactive Continuous Maintenance: The onboard robotic system allows continuous inspections and safe cleaning while at anchor or in port, ensuring seamless operations without changing guest itineraries
Carnival Cruise Line is ushering in an exciting era of maritime sustainability by becoming the first cruise operator to partner with global coatings leader Jotun to test revolutionary underwater robotic technology. Deployed aboard Carnival Pride, the innovative Jotun Hull Skating Solutions features the HullSkater, an advanced remotely operated robot that resides directly on the vessel. Equipped with high-definition cameras and smart sensors, this magnetic, track-driven device proactively inspects and cleans the ship’s submerged hull, removing biofouling and marine growth before it accumulates.
Maintaining a smooth, clean hull is a total game-changer for ship performance and ocean conservation. Accumulations of algae and barnacles can increase hydrodynamic drag, forcing propulsion engines—which consume roughly sixty percent of a ship’s total energy—to work up to thirty percent harder. By proactively grooming the hull while the vessel is docked or at anchor, the HullSkater significantly reduces drag, leading to optimized fuel efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, proactive cleaning prevents the transfer of invasive marine species across fragile coastal ecosystems, supporting global ocean biodiversity.
This groundbreaking pilot project reflects Carnival Cruise Line’s dedication to embracing forward-thinking technology to advance its long-term decarbonization goals. Because the HullSkater operates continuously onboard without needing dry-dock appointments or human divers, the line can maintain peak efficiency seamlessly during regular guest itineraries. Operational data gathered from Carnival Pride will help evaluate the potential expansion of this eco-friendly robotic solution across the entire fleet, setting a fantastic standard for green maritime engineering.