Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) has signed an agreement with Jotun to implement the Hull Skating Solution (HSS), becoming the first cruise operator to use the robotic hull-cleaning technology.

“Maintaining a clean hull is essential for efficient ship operations, and the Hull Skating Solutions allow us to take a more proactive approach to hull maintenance,” said Jari Oinas, AVP of fuel performance and decarbonization at Carnival Cruise Line.

“As we evaluate the technology aboard the Carnival Pride, we see strong potential to support ship performance while advancing our long-term sustainability goals,” added Oinas.

“Carnival is demonstrating real leadership by embracing new technology that ensures consistently clean hulls and reduced environmental impact,” says Stein Kjolberg, regional vice president, Americas, for Jotun.

“With our 100-year-long track record in hull performance, and with presence in the US for over 50 years, we are proud to support an American icon that is both ambitious and forward-leaning,” added Kjolberg.

The company said that Carnival is utilizing innovation and technology in the partnership to reduce emissions and protect biodiversity.

The adoption of HSS on the Carnival Pride marks an important shift for the wider industry, the company added in a press release. The technology enables proactive hull cleaning, ensuring vessels maintain an always clean hull across typical cruise operations.

The solution’s approach also reduces fuel consumption, cuts carbon emissions and protects biodiversity.

In addition to the HullSkater device, the agreement includes:

• Compatible hull coating
• Continuous monitoring and hull inspections
• Hull performance transparency through Jotun’s digital reporting solutions, and
• An always-clean hull guarantee.

Jotun recently received independent verification from DNV, verifying an always-clean hull for vessels using HSS, with no measurable speed loss, according to the press release, which also stated that for cruise operators, the ability to inspect and clean the hull before sailing to the next destination is valuable.

Carnival stated that by maintaining a clean hull, it can support fuel efficiency, minimize speed loss and reduce the risk of transferring invasive species between various waters and ports.