A thin coating of 0.5 mm slime (biofilm) covering up to 50% of a hull surface can trigger an increase of GHG emissions in the range of 20 to 25% and a light covering of barnacles can result in a 55% increase in GHG emissions.
Biofouling costs the global shipping industry at least $100 billion annually in lost revenue, extra fuel to compensate for the increased drag biofouling causes and hull cleaning.
Governments and industry spend more than US$5.7 billion annually to prevent and control marine biofouling. Antifouling research's main objective is to develop green, sustainable, viable, widely applicable, and environmentally friendly antifouling technology.
Antifouling chemicals containing tributyltin (TBT) are typically successful, however, are very harmful due to their toxic effects on the environment and have been banned since 2008 in many countries after an International Maritime Organization (IMO) report.
Australia has strict biofouling management requirements. All vessels must report on biofouling management activities, keep accurate records and provide an effective bio management plan to authorities on request.
Utilium’s nature-inspired antifouling solution will prevent the accumulation of microorganisms, algae, and marine life on ship hulls and other water-exposed surfaces by targeting the biofilm stage - before larger fouling can take hold.
Dr David Stapleton is highly analytical, solutions-driven professional with multifaceted experience in academic biomedical research, entrepreneurship, business project management, and scientific communication across diverse industries.
David has 25 years’ experience as an academic researcher at the University of Melbourne resulting in 100+ peer reviewed publications, over $3 million in grant funding, patents and inventor in two biotech companies. Interest in plant-based solutions resulted in a move to the private sector. Here he became instrumental in monitoring and innovating scientific developments as well as capturing lucrative opportunities to highlight the relevant research and expertise.
Rob Gell is an environmental geoscientist, former academic and television weather presenter with extensive experience with non-profit, government and private organisations in sustainable business strategy consulting, environmental communications and marketing and project design for the emerging green economy. Rob is actively engaged in a range of projects and solutions, identifying opportunities for transformation to a sustainable society.
He is a company director or advisor to sustainable technology companies involved in sustainability advisory services, mine waste rehabilitation, environmental sensing, resources recovery, strategic water storage and food waste software. He is President of the Royal Society of Victoria, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an Inaugural Fellow of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand and a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to conservation, to the protection of coastal and marine environments, and to the community. Rob is a published author and photographer.
With a broadcast creative background, Wani Wall is a marketing communications/brand builder, stakeholder management and project delivery specialist with significant experience helping companies, public and private, across multiple sectors, achieve their business objectives. Over the last decade her focus has been on building technology startups.
She was CXO of a publicly-listed health company leading a multidisciplinary team taking a medtech innovation for chronic disease through R&D to ARTG listing. In 2020, during COVID, Wani managed media, brand and communications for the groundbreaking NOTUS emergency ventilator project and most recently, as Chief Operating Officer, has driven the commercialisation of a world-first water quality monitoring technology.
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