The bay of the Port of Ceuta has been the scene of the first hull cleaning operation carried out in its waters, an action that expands the port's capacity to offer specialized services to consignees and shipowners. The intervention, which lasted more than twelve hours, was executed by the company Macpherson Underwater Services, a firm specialized in maritime services and underwater work with an established track record in the naval maintenance sector.
Hull cleaning is a significant operation in the maintenance of ships. Over time, vessels accumulate marine fouling composed of algae, mollusks, and other organisms that increase friction with the water. This phenomenon translates into higher fuel consumption, an increase in emissions, and a loss of efficiency in navigation. The periodic removal of these fouling improves the ship's performance and helps reduce environmental impact, in addition to facilitating compliance with international regulations on biofouling.
Macpherson Underwater Services has established itself as a reference operator in inspections and hull cleaning, combining technology and qualified personnel to operate in demanding port environments. The operation also had the logistical support of a barge from the company Amarres Ceuta, equipped with the necessary capabilities for this type of work, which allowed the operation to be carried out with safety and efficiency guarantees.
The consignee of the ship was Jose Salama and Co., which coordinated the stop in a context that highlights the increasing diversification of the services offered at the Ceuta port. The incorporation of this type of operation into the portfolio of available services in Ceuta responds to the demand for maritime traffic that requires increasingly comprehensive and specialized services in the port of the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Port of Ceuta, located in a strategic position at the western entrance of the Mediterranean, competes with other ports in the Strait area to attract supply traffic and auxiliary services to ships. The expansion of its offer with naval maintenance operations such as hull cleaning allows the Ceuta port to gain competitiveness against other locations in the area and cater to a segment of maritime activity that generates a growing volume of demand from shipowners and operators.