ECOsubsea, a Norwegian cleantech company providing environmentally in-water cleaning of ships has secured a NOK 35 million ($3.2 million) growth loan from Innovation Norway. This followed a total of $12 million in loans from SWEN Blue Ocean Partners and undisclosed investors on 31 July last year.

Traditional hull cleaning methods, often infrequent and abrasive, pose a significant environmental threat. Biofouling buildup on ship hulls increases drag, leading to higher fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Additionally, these methods can damage anti-fouling coatings, releasing harmful toxins and microplastics into the ocean.

ECOsubsea’s solution uses remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) equipped with advanced cleaning technology. These eco-friendly robots gently remove biofouling while capturing the waste for proper disposal or conversion into biogas. This innovative approach offers a multitude of benefits such as reduced fuel consumption and emissions.