Engineering
Derisking & Decarbonising Maritime Cleaning with Robotics
View ScrubMarine Website
About the project
ScrubMarine began as part of an Engineering Academy initiative designed to give young people hands-on experience working on a real-world engineering challenge. The aim was to provide an opportunity to develop technical, problem-solving, and commercial skills while contributing to a project with genuine industry potential.
What started as a learning and development exercise quickly evolved into a viable commercial concept. The team’s innovative approach to tackling biofouling attracted industry interest, leading to the formation of a standalone business. ScrubMarine is now securing funding, refining its technology, and building out its product, with the goal of delivering a practical, scalable solution to one of the shipping industry’s most costly and environmentally damaging problems.
📍 Global
💼 Maritime
⚙️ Product Development
Challenges
Biofouling’s Impact: $100 Billion Annual Cost from Increased Fuel Use
Biofouling, the build-up of marine organisms on vessel hulls, can increase fuel consumption by up to 40%, driving higher emissions and operating costs. Globally, this equates to more than $100 billion in additional running costs each year, while also accelerating maintenance needs and increasing the risk of invasive species transfer.
Solution
ScrubMarine: Advanced Underwater Solution for Biofouling Removal
ScrubMarine is a Submersible Remotely Operated Vehicle designed to combat bio-fouling on marine vessels. Using a unique and advanced cavitation cleaning mechanism, ScrubMarine effectively removes bio-fouling without requiring dry-docking, harsh chemicals, or diver intervention.
Process
From Concept to Deployment: Advancing ScrubMarine with Expert Backing
We assembled a team of engineers and maritime experts to secure venture capital funding to drive ScrubMarine through the Technology Readiness Levels into deployment.
Benefits
Significant Fuel Savings, Emission Cuts, and Coating Protection
Fuel Savings – Reduces fuel consumption by 15–25%, saving £1.5M–£2M per vessel annually.
Carbon Reduction – Cuts emissions by up to 77 million tonnes per year with a 15% fuel savings assumption.
Anti-Fouling Protection – Preserves and extends the lifespan of existing anti-fouling coatings on ships.
