OIL SPILL: "A Whale" versus FUTURA-SOS-SYSTEM

„A WHALE“, a tanker owned by Taiwan Maritime Transport Co Ltd (TMT) was currently converted
into “the world’s largest oil skimmer” in a Portuguese ship yard by cutting narrow inlet slits into the
hull behind the bow, some meters below the actual construction water line.

Company officials further claim that “A WHALE” is capable processing huge amounts of oil polluted
water – specifications in a range of 15 to 21 Million gallons per day can be found in different media
sources. Compared to the currently operating vessels in the Gulf region (largest oil skimmer has an
intake of 4,000 gallons per day, total intake of the rescue operation since April 20: 28 Million gallons),
these numbers seem to be outstanding.

Due to its length of 1100 feet, vessel’s seakeeping characteristics may allow operations in harsh sea,
but since to oil skimming process is based on the very basic “hole-in-the-water” principle, sensible
ratios of oil to water in the skimmed fluid mixture – and hence acceptable efficiencies – can only be
achieved in calm water or very low sea states. TMT says the share of oil in the skimmed mixture of
the “A WHALE” is 15-20% - this is a very optimistic value which is definitely unrealistic for operations
in medium to harsh sea states. Furthermore, the large draft of the vessel does not allow skimming in
shallow water regions.

Compared to the capabilities of the “FUTURA-SOS”, the “A WHALE” performance is not as
outstanding as it seems. The “FUTURA-SOS” is based on a unique sophisticated but robust
hydrodynamic principle with a background of several years of research work including extensive
model tests. Considering the exemplary design (length of the autonomous skimming unit: 213 feet)
with an inlet opening of 1 ft by 33 ft and an operational velocity of 3 kn (i.e. fluid
velocity at the inlet opening approx. 2.4 kn), 85 Million gallons of oil polluted water can be skimmed
per day. This is 4 times as much as the “A WHALE” and 3 times as much as the total intake of the
entire rescue operation so far.

In addition, the “FUTURA-SOS” is capable of efficient operations in calm water as well as rough seas
up to significant wave heights of 3 m. Due to its low draft, the system can also operate in shallow
water regions.
For more information please visit www.oil-spill-fighting.com

If there are any questions please contact:
1. Presse Büro für Image-, Krisen- und Ethikfragen
Ernst Andersch
Fon: +49 9101/ 43 93 1-0
Cell: +49 172/ 4202833
E-Mail: ernst.andersch@oil-spill-fighting.com

2. Futura Ships GmbH
Dipl. Ing. Udo G. Wulf
Fon: +49 431/ 79 10 34
Fax: +49 431/ 79 06 15
Cell: +49 172/ 41 22 066
Email: udo.wulf@oil-spill-fighting.com

The FUTURA-SHIPS GmbH, registered in Kiel, Germany under HRB 11111 KI, is a specialised Engineering Office designing and developing innovative technology mainly for the maritime market.
We have been industrial consultants and partners to the Technical University of Berlin in the past years supporting and facilitating the development of the Sea State-Independent Oil Skimming System, SOS.
This system is patented for the University of Berlin and was developed in industrial partnership with FUTURA-SHIPS GmbH. FUTURA-SHIPS GmbH is the worldwide exclusive licensee.