What ECOsubsea does

ECOsubsea AS is a Norwegian maritime services company founded in 2008 by brothers Tor M. Østervold and Klaus Østervold in Austevoll, Norway, with headquarters now based in Bergen. The company delivers ROV-based sustainable hull cleaning to commercial shipping operators across Northern Europe, including Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, with active ports in major hubs such as the ARA region (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp), Southampton, and key Norwegian coastal locations. Customers include blue-chip shipping and cruise enterprises such as Carnival UK, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Höegh Autoliners, Odfjell, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

ECOsubsea's core offering is sustainable hull cleaning using its proprietary Soft-Jet ROV technology, which removes biofouling without damaging anti-fouling coatings including premium brands such as Globic 9000, A-LF-Sea 250, Hempaguard X7, and Intersleek 970 and 1100. The ROV fleet includes the Pink Phoenix (engineered for global scale and larger ports) and Black Panther BP02/BP03 (compact units for European operations). A five-layer filtration system and integrated debris capture mechanism secure over 97.5% of hull debris, preventing the release of invasive species, heavy metals, and plastics into port ecosystems. Supporting services include underwater hull inspection and niche area/propeller management (including propeller polishing and UWILD). ECOsubsea monetizes through per-cleaning service fees booked via email, with pricing tailored to vessel size, hull condition, port location, and cleaning frequency.

In October 2023, ECOsubsea raised a $12 million Series B led by Blue Ocean, a French blue economy fund, to fuel European expansion and scaling. The company grew rapidly in 2024, winning the Vestland Rising Star and EU Blue Champion awards, and reaching 42 customers across 150 vessels in 2025 with 40% year-on-year demand growth. However, the planned Singapore expansion proved financially destabilizing, leading to voluntary administration in November 2025 and a December 2025 restructuring in which new maritime investors backed the existing management, the company retained its hull cleaning assets, and operations refocused on the core European markets.

Name

ECOsubsea

Legal name

ECOsubsea AS

Website

https://ecosubsea.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ECOsubsea is a Norwegian maritime services company delivering ROV-based sustainable hull cleaning to commercial shipping operators across Northern Europe. It serves vessel owners and cruise/shipping enterprises using proprietary Soft-Jet technology that removes biofouling without damaging coatings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Hull Cleaning Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842)

akta.pro primary industry

Underwater Hull Services (Diving, In-Water Cleaning, Propeller Polishing, Inspection) (TLAHAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Underwater Hull Inspection, Cleaning & Propeller Services (TLAKAKAJ), Pollution Control & Environmental Remediation (Booming, Skimming, Shoreline Cleanup) (TLAHAIAH), Surface Preparation, Coatings & Corrosion Control (Blasting, Painting, Anti-fouling) (IMAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Hull cleaning services
• Underwater hull inspection
• Biofouling management
• Maritime environmental services
• ROV cleaning technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Storebö

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations

Revenue model

1. Hull Cleaning Services: Direct hull cleaning services delivered via ROV at port locations. Services include sustainable hull cleaning, underwater hull inspection, and niche area/propeller management. Revenue generated from per-cleaning service fees based on vessel size and cleaning requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ECOsubsea delivers in-water hull cleaning and inspection services to commercial vessels at port locations using proprietary ROVs (Pink Phoenix, Black Panther BP02/BP03). The Soft-Jet cleaning method captures over 97.5% of biofouling debris while safely cleaning premium anti-fouling coatings without paint damage, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Supporting services include underwater hull inspection and niche area/propeller management.

Product overview

ECOsubsea offers a portfolio of sustainable hull cleaning services powered by proprietary ROV technology. The core offering centers on Sustainable Hull Cleaning using the Pink Phoenix (global operations) and Black Panther BP02/BP03 (European operations) ROV models, which are deployed at ports to clean vessel hulls while capturing debris. Supporting services include Underwater Hull Inspection and Niche Area and Propeller Management (propeller polishing, UWILD, niche cleaning). The company operates service hubs in the ARA region (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp), Norway, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sustainable Hull Cleaning Core service using proprietary ROV technology to clean ship hulls while capturing and containing over 97.5% of hull debris; reduces CO2 emissions and fuel costs for commercial vessel owners and operators.
• Underwater Hull Inspection ROV-based underwater inspection service enabling thorough assessment of hull condition without dry-docking requirements; for commercial vessel operators and technical teams.
• Niche Area and Propeller Management Comprehensive underwater services including propeller polishing, UWILD, niche area cleaning, and tailored underwater solutions delivered through a network of ship-services partners; for commercial vessel operators.
• Pink Phoenix ROV Next-generation ROV designed for global rollout of sustainable hull cleaning; built for larger ports and higher throughput with minimal deployment time and a high-efficiency debris collection system.
• Black Panther BP02 ROV Flexible ROV designed for European markets; compact and adaptable format built for use in tighter spaces or smaller vessels, featuring 100% eco-friendly debris capture and containment.
• Black Panther BP03 ROV

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves 0.6 knots speed gain and approximately 2 Mt fuel per day per vessel
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• PIER71 / Maritime and Port Authority of SingaporeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2025Selected as one of 21 global startups joining the PIER71 Smart Port Challenge 2025, a prestigious innovation programme led by MPA and NUS Enterprise. Companies work across maritime robotics, ocean data analytics, and sustainable technologies. Industry Networking session scheduled for September 2025.
• OdfjellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2025Odfjell signed up as a pilot partner to support new innovations in hull cleaning. Beyond acting as a sponsor and sharing operational insights, Odfjell provided hands-on assistance with Port Captain Odd Arne Hansen on-site to fine-tune the concept specifically for chemical tankers. Focus on safety, fleet performance, and reducing environmental footprint.
• AkzoNobelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership strengthened between ECOsubsea and AkzoNobel, a leading marine coatings manufacturer. AkzoNobel's Intersleek coatings are specifically mentioned as compatible with ECOsubsea's Soft-Jet cleaning technology.
• Port of Rotterdam AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Rotterdam Authority recognizes ECOsubsea's services for improving water quality and reducing CO2 emissions. They view ECOsubsea's initiatives as enhancing sustainability of the entire transport chain in the port.
• Port of Singapore AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECOpsubsea planned expansion into Singapore as one of Odfjell's key hubs. Announced plans to expand to Singapore with next-generation hull-cleaning robot. However, company subsequently exited Singapore market in December 2025 restructuring.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Alfa Laval: Global supplier of marine environmental and energy-efficiency equipment including ballast water treatment, fuel optimization, and emissions control. Comparable on the marine environmental side and serves overlapping vessel-operator customers, but as a broad incumbent rather than a service specialist.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Major maritime technology supplier with vessel automation, propulsion, and underwater intervention offerings. Adjacent to ECOsubsea through underwater robotics and digital fleet services, though not focused on in-water hull cleaning.
• ABB Marine & Ports: Global provider of electric, digital, and automation solutions for ships and ports. Competes in the broad marine efficiency and decarbonization space, addressing similar vessel-operator buyers through a much wider portfolio than ECOsubsea's specialized service.
• Wärtsilä: Global marine technology and services conglomerate with broad offerings in ship efficiency, environmental systems, and lifecycle services. Overlaps with ECOsubsea in vessel efficiency and emissions-reduction solutions, but as part of a much larger portfolio rather than as a hull-cleaning specialist.

Others

• Hempel: Global marine coatings manufacturer with leading anti-fouling product lines (Hempaguard, Globic). Eco-comparable through its marine sustainability focus and complementary role with ECOsubsea (coatings compatibility and warranty preservation), but operates as a coatings supplier rather than a service competitor.
• International Paint (AkzoNobel): AkzoNobel division producing Intersleek and other premium anti-fouling coatings specifically validated for ECOsubsea's Soft-Jet technology. Functions as an ecosystem partner (paint manufacturer) rather than a cleaning service competitor, but wields significant influence over the technology standards ECOsubsea must meet.

Emerging players

• Cathelco: UK-based supplier of marine environmental systems including ballast water treatment, biofouling prevention (ultrasonic), and corrosion control. Adjacent to ECOsubsea on biofouling management but positioned as equipment vendor rather than in-water cleaning service provider.
• Neptune Robotics: Asia-focused ROV-based hull cleaning specialist. Shares ECOsubsea's core technology approach (ROV in-water cleaning with debris capture) and ESG narrative, though its primary footprint is Asian ports rather than European.

Direct peers

• HullWiper: Cape Town-based provider of ROV-based in-water hull cleaning services to commercial shipping. Closely comparable product (ROV hull cleaning), customer base (commercial vessel operators), and environmental positioning, making it ECOsubsea's most direct global competitor.
• Hydrex: Antwerp-headquartered underwater ship repair and maintenance specialist offering hull cleaning, propeller polishing, and niche-area services. Comparable in service portfolio (underwater hull, propeller, niche cleaning), geographic focus (ARA region), and customer type (commercial fleet operators).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ecosubsea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ECOsubsea