Thunderbird 3 added to growing fleet as remotely controlled center in Delft becomes operational
With hull fouling and its role in the transfer of invasive species and increased CO2 emissions due to extra fuel consumption increasingly drawing attention from the IMO and national regulators, Dutch company Fleet Cleaner has expanded its arsenal by introducing a third specialized hull cleaning vessel. Additionally, the company has unveiled a new remotely controlled operation service for the growing fleet of ships and ROV cleaning vessels.
Naming ceremony of Thunderbird 3
Thunderbird 3, a converted former inland cargo ship, was christened on October 19 in Antwerp by Marianna Mastellone, project manager of new construction and energy manager at MSC Sorrento, a ship management division of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. The ceremony was attended by more than 150 guests, who were given a tour of the ship and a demonstration of the remotely controlled control room in Delft. MSC was one of the first companies to give us the opportunity to prove our technology. It is an honor that they christen our new ship and also contribute as a valued customer to our mission, along with other customers and stakeholders working towards sustainable industry and oceans, said Cornelis de Vet, co-founder and COO of Fleet Cleaner. Marianna Mastellone from MSC added: It is a great honor to christen the Thunderbird 3 and act as godmother. This hull cleaning and inspection ship with its remotely controlled operation service is a testament to the dedication and foresight of Fleet Cleaner. At MSC, we are always looking for innovations that help improve efficiency in the water and thus minimize our fuel consumption. Fleet Cleaner helps us in our efforts to achieve net zero emissions. We wish the Thunderbird 3 a safe journey and may God bless the ship, the crew, and all future voyages.
Advanced and safe technology
The entire ship, including the engine room and the equipment on deck, is ATEX certified, eliminating the risk of explosion during operations. This makes it suitable for cleaning all types of ships, even during loading and unloading operations in terminals, including tankers. The ship is equipped with large fenders to ensure a safe distance from the ship to be cleaned. Annually, it can clean up to 150 ships, which according to Fleet Cleaner equates to an emission reduction equivalent to the emissions of about 200,000 cars per year. The hydraulically driven ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) is also ATEX certified. It is attached to the ship with magnets and is connected to Thunderbird 3 via a cable, allowing filtered seawater to be pumped for use as a high-pressure cleaning agent. The pressure is adjustable based on the degree of fouling and the type of coating on the hull. The flexible cleaning heads can move in all directions, allowing the ROV to be effectively deployed across various ship types. The ROV is equipped with lighting, front, and rear cameras, and various sensors to support the operator in cleaning and inspecting the ship’s hull. With a capacity of 2,000 m8; per hour, it is designed for underwater operations up to 50 meters deep. All removed fouling is collected and fed back to Thunderbird 3 through the cable, where it is filtered and stored on board or discharged by barge for larger operations. The purified water can be safely discharged back into the harbor.
Remote operating control center in Delft
Before the launch of the control center in Delft, Fleet Cleaner’s ROVs had to be operated directly from the ships. Now operators can work around the clock with less crew needed on board. Thanks to specialized software, ship hull drawings can be loaded to plan and manage the cleaning process more efficiently. Alex Noordstrand, CEO and co-founder of Fleet Cleaner, explains: We now have dedicated, highly trained operators in the control center, sailors on board the ships, and service engineers. This means we no longer have generalists doing everything, but specialized roles that enhance our remotely controlled hull cleaning and inspection services. He added: This remote operation is a crucial step towards further automation, which will increase our production and allow our operations to grow sustainably. Remote work is the future. 
Future expansions and market growth
Fleet Cleaner’s method is approved by the authorities in the Netherlands and Belgium, and the company is looking to expand further. Recently, two additional ships were inspected that may become Thunderbird 4 and Thunderbird 5. By the end of this year, Fleet Cleaner expects to conduct daily inspections in seven countries worldwide and further grow its operations to meet increasing market demand.
Support from ports and the industry
Jasper Cornelis from Port of Antwerp-Bruges stated during the naming event: We support innovative companies like Fleet Cleaner that offer a robust solution to the pollution problem that has affected shipping for years. They and other pioneering companies can help realize sustainable ports and address pollution issues. Ron van Gelder from Port of Rotterdam added: Our priority is to get ships in and out of the port without delays. If a ship is held back by pollution issues, it is detrimental to the port and our waters. In-water hull cleaning with collection plays a crucial role in this, and Fleet Cleaner offers an effective and reliable service. Anders Wulff, head of continental and Mediterranean operations at Ultrabulk, said: The time required for hull cleaning and the quality of the service are decisive factors for us when choosing a cleaning company. With Fleet Cleaner, we can clean our ship hulls during loading and unloading, which saves time and does not damage the antifouling. This provides both economic and environmental benefits, especially with rising fuel prices and stricter regulations on the horizon.
