Another Setback After Hormuz Reopens: The Factor Holding Back 600 Oil Tankers

14,000 Square Meters of Hull to Clean, and Soaring Costs
5 to 6 Divers Needed per Vessel, 4 to 5 Hours Required Each

According to Yonhap News, citing CNN on June 25, oil tankers that had been stranded for a long period due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are now unable to resume operations because of barnacles attached to their hulls.

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Analysts say that as the sea route through the Strait of Hormuz reopens and the global energy supply chain is restored, another adverse factor has emerged.

According to shipping industry officials, large oil tankers that have been anchored in the Persian Gulf for several months, unable to leave the Strait of Hormuz, are now heavily encrusted with barnacles, mussels, clams, and algae. If these are not removed, fuel efficiency drops drastically, and in severe cases, the propeller may become completely damaged, potentially requiring the scrapping of the ship itself.

The biggest issue is the sheer area that needs to be cleaned. In the case of ultra-large oil tankers, the vessel can exceed 305 meters in length and 46 meters in width, resulting in a hull surface area of approximately 14,000 square meters per ship that needs to be cleaned.

A work team consisting of five to six divers uses hand scrapers and high-pressure washers to remove the attached organisms, a task that takes four to five hours per vessel. They must be careful not to damage the hull paint and special coatings that prevent biofouling. Reinstalling the propeller after cleaning is also a challenging process.

Currently, there are about 600 oil tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, so it is expected to take a considerable amount of time to complete the cleaning of all vessels.

This phenomenon, where marine organisms accumulate on ships, is called "biofouling" in the industry. Biofouling disrupts the ship's hydrodynamics, significantly reducing fuel efficiency. According to Neil Roberts of Lloyd’s Market Association, fuel costs account for about 50% of vessel operating expenses. In addition, countries require barnacles and other marine organisms to be removed from hulls before entry into port to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Meanwhile, as demand for underwater hull cleaning services surges, related fees have soared to tens of thousands of dollars per vessel.

CNN assessed, "Even though the Strait of Hormuz has reopened, the oil market will not return to normal instantly, as if flipping a light switch."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.