Swiss startup collects 3.4 million euros for underwater robots!

Swiss startup collects 3.4 million euros for underwater robots!

Zürich, Schweiz - There are news that should make all captains and ship managers listen! The Startup Nautica Technologies, based in Zurich, recently collected an impressive 3.4 million euros to launch its innovative underwater robots and to start the first commercial inserts in customer fleets. According to EU startups , the financing round of B2venture was cited with the backing of Angel-Investores from Shipping and robotics as well as partners of partners in Clime, Prequel Ventures and Rethink Ventures.

Nautica Technologies, founded in 2024 by Cédric Portmann and Mina Kamel, has set itself the goal of developing autonomous robots that are waiting for the shipping on the other to counter the challenges of biofouling and fuel consumption. The technology includes a swarm of autonomous underwater robots that continuously clean, inspect and wait for the fuselage of a ship. These robots can proactively prevent the accumulation of marinem growth before they affect the efficiency of the ship.

The pressure on the maritime industry

The maritime industry is now exposed to enormous pressure to reduce its emissions and adapt to new regulations. Biofouling, the accumulation of mussels, algae and microorganisms on ships, can increase fuel consumption by up to 35 % and thus cause costs at billions of bills annually. The global maritime sector has over 110,000 large ships, whereby the demand for intelligent solutions for fuselage maintenance is continuously increasing, reports Shipnerd News .

Traditional methods for biofouling control, which are often dependent on the help of divers, are not only time-consuming, but also dangerous. In order to meet these challenges, companies like Lomar are in partnership with Alicia Bots on the latest technologies to revolutionize biological cleaning methods. This cooperation extends support for the maintenance of ships and helps to reduce CO2 emissions.

innovative technologies in the fight against biofouling

With the advent of new, sustainable solutions, the way in which shipping deals with biofouling deals with biofouling is also reoriented. According to Maritime innovations , different technologies aim to fight biofouling, with AI and robots playing a central role. Companies such as Larabicus and the Laser Center Hanover are working on AI supported cleaning robots and laser-based technologies for autonomous maintenance.

In addition, innovative coatings without biocide are in the foreground. The new 2025 Chembiocide directive limits the use of bioocide-based coatings and thus brings with it a growing market for environmentally friendly alternatives. Companies such as Clean Ocean Coatings and H2O-Marine develop biocide-free coatings that not only reduce the growth, but also extend the lifespan of antifouling coatings.

market growth and economic effects

The economic effects of biofouling should not be underestimated. An increase in hydrodynamic resistors can increase fuel consumption by up to 62.5 %! Therefore, the demand for innovative antifouling solutions in the coming years is enormous. According to current market analyzes, the global market volume for Marine Antifouling coatings will probably grow to $ 67.16 billion by 2032, which corresponds to an annual growth rate of 10.38 %.

Overall, it turns out that Nautica Technologies and similar companies are at the top of this change and are ready to counter the challenging conditions of maritime industry with a combination of technology and innovation. Time is ripe for a new approach to biofouling disposal, and we can be excited to see how these new solutions will shape shipping in the future!