Fleet Analytics

The Hidden Fuel Penalty of Hull Fouling: Data from 400 Vessels

Our analysis of 400 vessels across three years reveals that biofouling accounts for an average 8.3% increase in fuel consumption — costing fleets millions annually.

LE

Lars Eriksen

Data Scientist

June 21, 2026 9 min read

Hull fouling is one of shipping's oldest problems and one of its most underestimated cost drivers.

The Study

We analyzed performance data from 400 vessels monitored on the Oceanix platform between January 2023 and December 2025.

Average hull degradation in the study: 8.3% increase in fuel consumption at constant speed by month 18 post-drydock.

Key Findings

    Economic Impact

    At current VLSFO prices (~$620/MT), an 8.3% fuel penalty for a VLCC consuming 85 MT/day translates to approximately $1.9M in excess fuel cost per year.

    LE

    Lars Eriksen

    Data Scientist

    Lars leads quantitative research at Oceanix, specializing in hull performance modelling and fuel efficiency analytics.

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