Wanted: War-Zone Divers to Scrape Barnacles from Ships in Persian Gulf
5 hours ago
- #Shipping Disruption
- #Maritime Industry
- #US-Iran Relations
- Demand for barnacle scraping divers has surged over 30-fold as ships prepare to leave the Persian Gulf after a peace deal.
- Cleaning fees for ship hulls could rise up to 60%, reaching $8,000 per vessel, due to the high demand.
- Around 600 vessels remain trapped in the Persian Gulf, facing various challenges like insurance and safety measures before sailing.
- Barnacles, which can carry invasive species, are prohibited in most ports, driving the need for hull cleaning.
- The cleaning process varies by ship, with some needing mild slime removal and others requiring intensive techniques.