A clean cargo hold is essential for bulk carriers, but ensuring cleanliness comes with significant risks. For decades, seafarers have faced the challenges of removing stubborn residues in hazardous environments — scaling great heights and enduring chemical exposure while being under pressure during discharging operations. The industry has long accepted these dangers as part of the job, but with modern advancements in technology, there also is a safer way forward: CLIIN Robotics from Denmark has spent over eight years developing a cargo hold robot that addresses the industry’s greatest pain points. This robotic cleaning solution is transforming the process by minimizing risks while improving both efficiency and cleaning standards.
ADDRESSING THE SAFETY CHALLENGES IN CARGO HOLD CLEANING
Cargo hold cleaning is more than just a routine task — it is a crucial aspect of vessel maintenance that directly impacts safety, compliance and operational efficiency. However, traditional cleaning methods introduce numerous hazards, from concerns in worker safety to the necessity of thoroughly cleaned cargo holds.
WORKER SAFETY CONCERNS IN CARGO HOLD CLEANING
Cargo hold cleaning has traditionally posed significant risks to seafarers, requiring them to work at dangerous heights, handle hazardous chemicals and endure physically demanding conditions.
Working at heights within large, cavernous cargo holds increases the risk of falls, especially when the surfaces are wet, slippery or covered in residues. In many cases, personnel must navigate ladders, ropes or scaffolding, where a single misstep can result in severe injuries or fatalities.
CLIIN Robotics’ system significantly reduces the need for working at heights, as the robot can be operated from ground level, often from a seated position, enhancing worker comfort and minimizing physical strain. From this vantage point, it can reach nearly the entire cargo hold. It performs exceptionally well on large, even surfaces like the Front Corrugated Bulkhead and the hopper, where cleaning is possible even during rough weather. Pipes and inner corrugations are also manageable, thanks to its adjustable high-pressure tools. Topside tanks with angles of up to 60° are effectively cleaned and even frames — both between and behind — are efficiently handled due to a specialized spray pattern. However, certain areas like access ways, stairs and hatch coamings still require traditional cleaning using high-pressure lances, also provided by CLIIN Robotics.
Handling chemicals for cleaning purposes represents another layer of risk. Even with protective equipment, accidental splashes or spills can lead to chemical burns or eye injuries. When combined with the physical strain of scrubbing or pressure washing, prolonged chemical exposure can exacerbate fatigue and heighten the likelihood of accidents.
CLIIN Robotics’ solutions eliminate the hazards associated with chemical use by relying solely on fresh water. The CHR optimizes both water consumption and cleaning time. Depending on the cargo hold size, it uses only 40 to 70 metric tonnes of fresh water, compared to over 200 metric tonnes with conventional methods — reducing sludge and minimizing disposal costs. For instance, a Handysize cargo hold requires three to six hours and eight to ten tonnes of water, while a Capesize cargo hold needs eight to twelve hours and 12–16 tonnes. This efficient approach reduces environ - mental impact, speeds up turnaround times and improves operational efficiency.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THOROUGH AND SAFE CLEANING
Beyond worker safety, ensuring a cargo hold is properly cleaned is vital to vessel integrity and operational efficiency. Certain cargo residues, such as coal dust and oily substances, present serious fire hazards. When disturbed during cleaning, these residues can become airborne, creating an explosive dust environment. Heat, friction or improper cleaning techniques can lead to combustion, posing a severe risk to both crew and vessel safety.
Aggressive scrubbing or chemical-based cleaning methods can inadvertently damage the coatings or the cargo hold surfaces, leading to corrosion, contam - ination and costly repairs. By utilizing only high-pressure water without chemicals, robotic cleaning solutions effectively remove hazardous residues without introducing fire risks or structural damage. The CLIIN Robotics system operates at 200 bar, ensuring efficient cleaning with minimal risk of harm. For stubborn residues, the water can be heated up to 90°, providing enhanced cleaning power without compromising surface integrity.
For perhaps the most challenging of residues — cement — CLIIN Robotics offers an air-driven brush tool designed to remove cement without damaging the coating. This cleaning process involves two steps: first, dry cleaning with the brush tool, followed by a high-pressure water wash to ensure complete removal of the cement. This results in a spotless finish and the longevity of its surfaces.ultimately reducing maintenance costs and enhancing operational reliability.
Although the robot is an efficient cleaning tool, it is exactly that — a tool — and the need for human operation is still necessary. A human operator is crucial to oversee the entire process and ensure spotless cleaning results.
A FUTURE OF SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT CARGO HOLD CLEANING
The adoption of robotic solutions in cargo hold cleaning marks a significant step forward in improving safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability in the dry bulk industry. By addressing key safety challenges — limiting the need for manual labour, reducing exposure to hazardous substances, minimizing fire risks and preventing structural damage – these technologies provide a reliable and effective alternative to traditional cleaning methods.
Investing in these advanced systems is not just about improving cleaning processes; it is a proactive approach to safeguarding crew, vessels and the environment in an increasingly demanding maritime industry.