Carnival Cruise Line is testing a new approach to one of the less visible parts of cruise ship operations: keeping the hull clean below the waterline. Carnival Pride is the first ship in the fleet to pilot Jotun Hull Skating Solutions, a system that includes the remotely operated HullSkater robotic vehicle.
The technology is designed to inspect and proactively clean the ship’s underwater hull while Carnival evaluates whether more frequent hull maintenance can help support more efficient and sustainable operations.
How Carnival Pride’s HullSkater Works
The HullSkater lives aboard Carnival Pride and can be remotely deployed underwater. Using cameras and sensors, the robotic vehicle travels along the ship’s hull to assess conditions and perform routine cleaning when needed.
That allows the cruise line to take a more proactive approach than traditional cleaning methods, with more frequent monitoring intended to remove marine growth before it has a chance to build up.
For cruise travelers, this work happens largely out of sight, but maintaining the underwater portion of a ship can have a meaningful effect on how efficiently the vessel moves through the water.
Why Keeping a Cruise Ship Hull Clean Matters
Marine growth on a vessel’s underwater surfaces can increase the amount of propulsion power needed by as much as 25% to 30%, according to Carnival. Propulsion also accounts for approximately 60% of a cruise ship’s total energy consumption.
By proactively grooming the hull and reducing drag, the HullSkater may help Carnival improve ship efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions.
That makes the Carnival Pride pilot about more than simply cleaning the bottom of a ship. Carnival is evaluating whether robotic technology can become part of a more proactive strategy for managing hull performance and supporting its longer-term sustainability goals.
Carnival Is Collecting Data From the Pilot
Carnival Pride is currently serving as the pilot ship for the technology. Carnival and Jotun are collecting operational data and insights from the ship to evaluate how the system can support more efficient and sustainable operations.
Jari Oinas, Carnival Cruise Line’s AVP of fuel performance and decarbonization, said the company sees potential in the technology as it evaluates its use aboard Carnival Pride. Jotun regional vice president Americas Stein Kjolberg also described Carnival’s adoption of the technology as an example of the cruise line embracing new technology aimed at maintaining clean hulls and reducing environmental impact.
What This Means for Carnival Guests
There is no indication in the announcement that Carnival Pride passengers should expect a noticeable change to their onboard experience because of the HullSkater. Instead, the pilot is focused on the behind-the-scenes work that helps keep a cruise ship operating efficiently.
The significance for travelers is what Carnival learns from the trial. If the technology demonstrates that more frequent automated inspection and cleaning can improve hull performance, it could provide Carnival with another tool for managing fuel consumption and emissions as it works toward its long-term sustainability goals.
For now, Carnival Pride remains the fleet’s pilot ship while Carnival evaluates the technology and gathers operational insights. The announcement does not state that the HullSkater will be deployed across the rest of the Carnival fleet.
Source: Carnival Cruise Line
Check Out This Current Offer From Carnival
Sun, Fun & Views: Buy An Ocean View, Get A Balcony
Join the Conversation
Have a thought about this cruise news? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or cruise experience below.
