ROV Hull Cleaning
In-Water Soft Cleaning

What is ROV Soft Cleaning?

ROV soft cleaning is an in-water hull cleaning technique that uses remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) fitted with low-pressure brushes and active suction systems to remove biofilm, algae and bio-invasive organisms from ship and vessel hulls without dry-docking.

The system simultaneously captures the removed debris, preventing its dispersion into the marine environment. MARES CHILE operates under the technical standards set by DIRECTEMAR Circular A-52/007, which regulates biofouling management in Chilean waters.

Every operation concludes with a certified technical report including photographic records, recovery data and proof of regulatory compliance.

Advantages over traditional methods

• No dry dock: The vessel remains operational throughout the cleaning, with no dry-docking costs.
• Capture at source: Active suction system captures debris at the source. Meets environmental requirements.
• Certified records: Report with coordinates, recovered volume and photos ready to submit to DIRECTEMAR.
• High-resolution ROV: Integrated FullHD camera documents pre- and post-cleaning condition of the entire underwater hull.
• In force July 2026: Compatible with the requirements of Circular A-52/007, fully in force as of July 2026.

Preliminary assessment

Visual ROV inspection of hull condition. Biofouling level is assessed and the operation is planned.

Soft-cleaning

The ROV systematically covers the hull with low-pressure brushes, without damaging the antifouling coating.

Active suction

Simultaneous suction system captures the removed debris in certified containers.

Report and certification

Delivery of a technical report with recovery data, FullHD photos and A-52/007 compliance certificate.

• ✗USD 15,000–50,000 per day in dry dock
• ✗3 to 7 days out of operation
• ✗Transfer logistics and coordination
• ✗Uncontrolled debris dispersion
• ✗No certified A-52/007 report

• ✓Complete cleaning in under 8 hours
• ✓Vessel remains operational in the water
• ✓No transfer or dry-dock costs
• ✓Active suction: debris captured at source
• ✓Certified A-52/007 report included

Additional fuel savings

A clean hull cuts bunker consumption by 5% to 15%. For a merchant vessel, that means tens of thousands of dollars a year — in fuel alone.

Voluntary today.
Mandatory tomorrow.

BIMCO and GloBallast biofouling management guidelines are already enforceable in the European Union, Australia and New Zealand. Chile has historically adopted these international standards with a lag of 3 to 5 years.

Shipowners who structure their protocols today will be in compliance when the rule becomes mandatory. Those who wait will have to do it under pressure, with cost overruns and risk of vessel detention.