The demand for ocean divers specializing in barnacle scraping has significantly increased as numerous ships stranded in the Persian Gulf for over three months prepare to set sail. According to Captain Manandeep Singh Kukreja, chief surveyor at Prominence Shipping Services in Dubai, the need for crews to clean ship hulls contaminated by algae and crustaceans has surged more than 30-fold since the announcement of a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
This heightened demand is set to raise the fees for underwater scraping work considerably, with prices potentially soaring to $8,000 per vessel, up from $5,000 just days prior to the deal’s announcement. As Kukreja highlighted, the upcoming month presents a lucrative opportunity for diving companies eager to assist vessels ready to finally navigate out of Hormuz.
While barnacle scraping is just one of the numerous challenges ships are facing, about 600 vessels remain trapped in the Persian Gulf amid the ongoing disruption to the global energy market. As the conflict drags on, ship owners must ensure their insurance is organized and take necessary precautions against potential mines before setting sail once the Strait is reopened.
Barnacles, which adhere to ship hulls with a strong adhesive, pose a problem as many ports prohibit barnacle-laden vessels due to invasive species concerns. As a result, the urgent need for scraping crews has emerged, catering to the vessels idled in the warm Persian Gulf waters since the conflict escalated in February.
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