Copper’s dramatic price increase earlier this year due to supply side constrictions as a major mine closed coupled with heightened demand from burgeoning sectors such as EVs may have serious implications for ship maintenance.

Anti-fouling measures used in shipping is a way for vessels to maintain efficiency as there’s less friction from foreign substances attached to the hull. Cathelco’s marine growth prevention system (MGPS) uses copper anodes mounted in sea chests or strainers connected to a control panel. The MGPS creates copper ions giving a dosage of just 2 parts per billion which prevent barnacles and mussels from settling and growing in seawater lines.

Given the miniscule quantities of the metal use, it would seem unlikely that price fluctuations of copper would have any impact on Cathelco’s product but Nick Cowley, the company’s president, has some surprising news. In February this year, copper prices surged, hitting a peak of $10,000 per tonne. Cathelco purchases 300 tonnes per year for its business and given the metal can account for up to 80% of its products, customers soon noticed the price hike.