Promote the intelligent and green development of port shipping Hebei presses the "start key" for the standardized construction of intelligent robot underwater cleaning application scenarios"

　　To promote the intelligent and green development of port shipping, enhance maritime management and port service levels, and accelerate the research and market application of underwater cleaning AI robots in our province, on March 10, the Hebei Maritime Bureau hosted a field test activity for the research of standard specifications for underwater cleaning operations by AI robots, with the main testing and sampling tasks undertaken by the Ministry of Transport's Environmental Protection Center. The event, themed "Building a government-industry-academia-research platform to support the development of Hebei's green and intelligent industry," was successfully held at the Caofeidian Port Area of Tangshan Port.

　　This event marks the first nationwide field test activity for the research of standard specifications for underwater cleaning operations by AI robots, accumulating experimental data and case samples for promoting internationally recognized third-party certification of AI underwater cleaning robots in China. During the test, two models of underwater cleaning AI robots using mainstream domestic technology were deployed to clean the biological fouling attached to the hull below the waterline of the "Zongheng 203" ship. Simultaneously, real-time sampling and testing of the water quality in the nearby sea area were conducted, and images of the ship cleaning effect were collected. Experts at the event conducted on-site evaluations of the hull cleaning effect and seawater quality based on video footage and operational procedures, and exchanged discussions on key aspects, risk points, and standardized operational procedures of AI robot underwater cleaning operations.

　　This event signifies the transition of ship biofouling cleaning services at Hebei coastal ports towards standardized AI robot underwater cleaning. Currently, Hebei coastal ports have formed a "multi-faceted architecture" of dock repair cleaning, diver cleaning, and AI robot cleaning, fully meeting the personalized needs of shipping companies and shipowners.

　　Experts and representatives from 10 research institutions and enterprises, including the Ministry of Transport's Environmental Protection Center, China Classification Society, Asia Maritime Technology Cooperation Center, Huayu Yuntong Marine Technology (Shandong) Co., Ltd., Weihai Beize Robot Technology Co., Ltd., Caofeidian Port Co., Ltd., China Tangshan Foreign Ship Agency Co., Ltd., Tangshan Caofeidian District Deyang Ship Repair Co., Ltd., Tangshan Caofeidian Zhongwu Port Co., Ltd., and Qinhuangdao Jihang Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., participated in the event.

　　It is understood that compared to traditional biofouling cleaning methods, AI robots can clean over 80% of the ship's surface, offering advantages such as high cleaning efficiency, low operational costs, minimal damage to ship paint, and little impact from weather and sea conditions. In the future, they are also expected to have the capability to recover waste residues, making them the currently internationally promoted method for ship biofouling removal.

　　The International Maritime Organization plans to complete the formulation of convention clauses in the field of mandatory biofouling management by 2030. As a major shipping and shipbuilding nation, mandatory biofouling management will have a profound impact on China's shipping, shipbuilding and repair, maritime supervision, port cleaning services, anti-fouling coatings, and underwater cleaning AI robot manufacturing industries.

　　Next, the Hebei Maritime Bureau will form a professional research team to carry out data collection and analysis of AI robot underwater cleaning operations, establish and improve policy guidance and standard specifications in line with the actual development of domestic industries, deeply participate in the formulation of international rules, conduct in-depth research on the domestic legal system, effectively protect the cleanliness of key waters and the safety of underwater operations, continuously promote the transformation and upgrading of safety supervision and the optimization of the maritime business environment, and assist China's high-end manufacturing and service industries in the shipping field to lead internationally.