How does the MagTrack help with ship hull cleaning?

The MagTrack helps with ship hull cleaning by using powerful permanent magnets to adhere to steel hull surfaces and carry high-pressure water jetting tools across them autonomously, removing marine fouling, old coatings, and corrosion without putting operators in direct contact with the surface. It replaces manual jetting work with a remotely controlled robotic crawler that delivers consistent, repeatable results across large hull areas. The sections below unpack exactly how it works, what it cleans, and why it matters for dry-dock efficiency and crew safety.

What makes robotic hull cleaning different from manual methods?

Robotic hull cleaning differs from manual methods in three fundamental ways: it removes the operator from the hazardous work zone, it delivers consistent nozzle-to-surface distance throughout the entire cleaning run, and it can sustain high-pressure output continuously without fatigue. Manual water jetting on a ship hull requires technicians to work at height or in confined spaces while managing hoses pressurised well above 1,000 bar “14,500 PSI”, which creates serious ergonomic and safety challenges that robots simply do not face.

In manual operations, the quality of the result depends heavily on individual technique. An operator who is tired, working at an awkward angle, or rushing to meet a dry-dock deadline will inevitably produce uneven surface preparation. A robotic crawler maintains the same standoff distance and travel speed across every square metre, which means the surface profile is predictable and consistent enough for coating specifications to be met reliably.

There is also a productivity argument. A single magnetic crawler can cover large hull sections continuously while a supervisor monitors progress remotely. The same area tackled manually would require multiple operators rotating through shifts to manage fatigue and exposure time. When dry-dock windows are measured in days rather than weeks, that difference in throughput has a direct impact on scheduling and cost.

How does the MagTrack attach and move across a ship hull?

The MagTrack attaches to steel hull surfaces using permanent magnets integrated into its chassis, creating a holding force strong enough to keep the crawler firmly in contact even on vertical and overhead surfaces. The system is electrically driven and remote-controlled, allowing an operator to steer it across flat and slightly curved steel surfaces from a safe distance without any mechanical tethering to the hull.

The magnetic adhesion is height-adjustable, which matters because hull curvature and surface condition vary along a vessel. On the MagTrack Mini, the rear support uses omni-wheels combined with extra height-adjustable magnets, while two omni-wheels at the front support the blast can. This configuration allows the crawler to navigate curves without losing grip or lifting off the surface, which is a common failure point for simpler magnetic systems.

Because the drive system is electric rather than hydraulic, the crawler responds precisely to remote controller inputs. The operator can adjust speed, direction, and tool positioning without approaching the surface. This level of control is particularly important on ship hulls, where obstacles such as anodes, welds, and hull fittings require the crawler to manoeuvre around rather than through them.

What type of cleaning does the MagTrack perform on ship hulls?

The MagTrack performs closed waterblasting on ship hulls using a vacuum blast can that operates at pressures up to 3,000 bar “43,511 PSI”. This process removes marine fouling, old paint, mill scale, and corrosion products while simultaneously collecting the dislodged debris and contaminated water through a connected vacuum unit, leaving the surface clean and dry immediately after the pass.

Standard blast can for flat and gently curved sections

The standard blast can is mounted in front of the carrier and uses a rotating manifold with eight jet inserts to deliver a 180 mm cleaning path on each pass. The vacuum seal around the blast can ensures that water and debris are contained rather than scattered across the dock, which is particularly important when removing lead-based or antifouling coatings that carry environmental and health restrictions.

Curved blast can for hull contours

For sections of the hull with tighter curvature, the Curved Blast Can variant is engineered to handle radii of up to 3 metres. This makes it well-suited for the bow sections, bilge areas, and other compound curves that a flat blast can would bridge rather than follow. The result is consistent surface contact and an even surface profile across the entire hull, not just the flat midship sections.

Both configurations leave a surface that is ready for inspection, coating application, or further treatment without a waiting period for drying. This is one of the clearest practical advantages over open waterblasting or abrasive methods that leave residual moisture or contamination on the substrate.

How does the MagTrack improve safety in hull cleaning operations?

The MagTrack improves safety in hull cleaning operations by removing operators from direct exposure to high-pressure water jets, which are among the most serious injury risks in industrial cleaning. By allowing a single technician to control the crawler remotely, the system eliminates the need for personnel to handle lances or ride platforms adjacent to active jetting nozzles working at pressures between 500 and 3,000 bar “7,252 and 43,511 PSI”.

Industry bodies including the SIR in the Netherlands, the EWJI across Europe, the WJA in the UK, the WJTA in the USA, and the DIRV in Germany all recognise high-pressure water jetting as a high-risk activity requiring strict controls. The primary control measure recommended across these organisations is distance: keeping operators as far from the active nozzle as practically possible. A remote-controlled robotic crawler operationalises that principle directly.

The closed vacuum system of the blast can adds a secondary safety layer. In open waterblasting, water and dislodged debris create slip hazards, reduce visibility, and can carry contaminants into the breathing zone. The MagTrack’s vacuum collection eliminates that scatter at the source. On vessels that have been treated with antifouling coatings containing biocides or heavy metals, this containment is not just a convenience but a regulatory requirement in most jurisdictions.

For offshore applications, the MagTrack Mini is available as a certified ATEX Zone 2 unit, meaning it is approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. This certification is essential for operations near fuel storage, petrochemical installations, or any environment where ignition sources must be strictly controlled.

What types of vessels and hull conditions is the MagTrack suited for?

The MagTrack is suited for any steel-hulled vessel where surface preparation or cleaning is required, including tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, offshore support vessels, and naval craft. It is equally effective on new builds requiring initial surface preparation and on vessels in dry-dock for recoating after years of service, as long as the hull is steel and the surface presents a consistent magnetic holding face.

Hull condition affects which tool configuration is most appropriate. Heavily fouled surfaces with thick marine growth or multiple layers of degraded coating benefit from the high-pressure closed waterblasting approach, where the blast can progressively strip material while containing the waste. Surfaces that are structurally sound but require a specific surface profile before recoating can be processed at lower pressures within the 500 to 3,000 bar “7,252 to 43,511 PSI” working range to achieve the required anchor profile without over-blasting.

The compact design of the MagTrack Mini makes it particularly practical for vessels with restricted access areas, including offshore oil rigs where space constraints rule out larger equipment. Its transport plate and lightweight construction mean it can be moved between work areas quickly, which matters when a vessel is only in port or dry-dock for a limited window.

How does the MagTrack affect dry-dock turnaround and operational costs?

The MagTrack reduces dry-dock turnaround time by increasing the speed and continuity of hull surface preparation compared to manual methods. Because the crawler operates continuously without fatigue breaks and covers a consistent cleaning path on every pass, the total time needed to prepare a given hull area is shorter, which directly compresses the dry-dock schedule and reduces the associated berthing and labour costs.

Labour cost is one of the most significant variables in a dry-dock budget. Manual waterblasting requires multiple trained operators working in rotation to manage exposure limits and fatigue, each requiring personal protective equipment, safety supervision, and welfare facilities. A robotic system requires fewer personnel to achieve the same output, and those personnel spend their time supervising and repositioning the crawler rather than physically handling high-pressure equipment.

The closed vacuum system also has a cost dimension that is easy to overlook. Open waterblasting generates large volumes of contaminated water and debris that must be collected, transported, and disposed of as hazardous waste if antifouling coatings are involved. The MagTrack’s integrated vacuum collection captures that waste at the point of generation, reducing the volume that needs formal disposal and cutting the associated handling and logistics costs.

Over a maintenance cycle, the combination of faster preparation, lower labour requirements, and reduced waste disposal costs builds a clear return on investment case. The upfront investment in robotic cleaning equipment is offset by savings across multiple dry-dock events, particularly for operators managing fleets where hull maintenance is a recurring and predictable cost.

How the MagTrack supports your hull cleaning operations

The MagTrack addresses the core challenges of ship hull cleaning directly and practically. Here is what it brings to your operations:

• Remote-controlled operation that keeps your team away from high-pressure jetting zones, reducing injury risk in line with SIR, EWJI, WJA, WJTA, and DIRV safety guidance
• Closed waterblasting at up to 3,000 bar “43,511 PSI” that leaves a clean, dry surface ready for coating without additional drying time
• Modular tool options including the standard blast can, the Curved Blast Can for radii up to 3 metres, swing arm tools, and sandblasting attachments, all fitting the same universal carrier
• ATEX Zone 2 certification available on the MagTrack Mini for use in potentially explosive offshore environments
• Compact, transportable design that fits narrow spaces and moves quickly between work areas in time-critical dry-dock situations
• Integrated vacuum waste collection that reduces contaminated water scatter and simplifies compliance with environmental regulations

We engineer MagTrack systems around your specific application, with over 40 years of Dutch innovation behind every design decision. Whether you are preparing a tanker hull for recoating or maintaining offshore structures in restricted spaces, we can configure the right tool combination for your requirements. Explore the MagTrack system in detail, or contact our team to discuss your hull cleaning challenge directly.