Yachting Art Magazine

In response to the ongoing rise in marine litter, the European Union is turning to technological innovation to step up clean-up operations. The SeaClear2.0 project, funded under European research programmes, is trialling a combination of drones, underwater robots and autonomous systems to identify and collect waste accumulated on the seabed. Deployed in several ports and coastal areas across Europe, this initiative forms part of the EU’s goal to halve marine pollution by 2030.

The SeaClear project is part of the ongoing European policies for ocean protection, centred in particular on the mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’. For several years now, the European Union has been stepping up its investment in applied research to address environmental challenges linked to plastic pollution and marine litter. The SeaClear programme, initially launched before being expanded into version 2.0, illustrates this commitment to combining technological innovation with the sustainable management of marine environments. It brings together universities, research centres and companies specialising in underwater robotics, particularly in the Netherlands, France and Germany.

Unlike many initiatives focused on collecting floating waste, SeaClear 2.0 concentrates on the seabed, where a large proportion of the waste eventually accumulates. According to the researchers involved, the majority of marine litter (particularly plastics) gradually sinks and becomes invisible from the surface. This accumulation poses significant environmental risks, as this waste slowly degrades into microplastics, which can cause long-term contamination of marine ecosystems.

The system developed is based on an automated response chain. Initially, aerial drones fly over the targeted areas to map the seabed and detect waste. Using artificial intelligence algorithms, these devices are able to distinguish man-made objects (bottles, tyres, metal debris) from natural features such as rocks or vegetation. The data collected is then transmitted to underwater robots tasked with carrying out operations directly on site.

These robots, which are remotely controlled but have a degree of autonomy, can grasp waste using articulated arms or suck it up when dealing with small fragments. For large or heavy objects, the system involves the use of a smart gripper connected to a crane mounted on an unmanned surface vessel. The latter plays a central role in the system by coordinating operations and serving as a logistics platform.

Among the innovations being tested is also an autonomous barge, designed to function as a floating collection system. This vessel collects the waste brought to the surface by the robots and transports it to shore, where it can be processed. The entire system aims to minimise direct human intervention, thereby reducing operational costs and risks for divers, who are traditionally deployed for this type of operation.

Trials have already been conducted in several port environments, notably in Marseille and Germany. The teams were able to test the system’s ability to identify and extract different types of waste, ranging from rubber tyres to metal structures and wreckage fragments. Further trial campaigns are planned in Venice, Dubrovnik and Tarragona to assess the device’s effectiveness in a variety of contexts.

Despite these encouraging results, project leaders stress that the technology remains in the development phase. One of the main challenges concerns optimising the performance of autonomous systems, particularly in terms of detection accuracy and coordination between different pieces of equipment. The reliability of operations under real-world conditions, particularly in the presence of currents, reduced visibility or complex terrain, also constitutes a significant technical challenge.

Researchers are therefore working to ‘streamline’ the technology, i.e. to improve its efficiency whilst reducing its costs and complexity. The aim is to make these solutions operational on a large scale by the end of the project, scheduled for 2026. Ultimately, the teams hope to be able to deploy these systems in collaboration with local authorities and port managers across Europe.

Beyond waste clearance, certain complementary applications are also under consideration. The technologies developed could, in particular, be used to detect submerged hazardous objects, such as unexploded ordnance from past conflicts. This prospect broadens the scope of application for underwater robots and reinforces the strategic importance of these innovations.