As defense and maritime operators contend with increasing geopolitical instability, evolving security risks, and stricter operational requirements, Greensea IQ provides a robotic system designed to enable continuous hull visibility and maintenance.
The company’s EverClean solution integrates autonomous biofouling removal with inspection and damage assessment, supporting operational readiness without reliance on periodic, diver-led interventions.
Hull Vulnerability in a Changing Security Environment
Maritime operations are taking place within an increasingly complex global environment. Ongoing tensions in critical transit regions, including the Strait of Hormuz, have introduced greater unpredictability into vessel routing, cost structures, and risk exposure.
At the same time, hull inspection and biofouling management practices across much of the industry remain episodic. Disruptions to high-traffic shipping lanes can result in extended idle periods, increasing the rate of biofouling accumulation while exposing vessels to operational and environmental uncertainty.
Security risks associated with hull access have also evolved. Drug trafficking operations have adapted to commercial shipping infrastructure through the use of sea chests and magnetically attached packages. These methods exploit areas of the hull that are difficult to inspect and can create significant legal exposure for vessel owners and operators, particularly when transiting high-traffic regions.
Dive teams are typically deployed as an initial inspection method, but hull complexity, reduced underwater visibility, and variability in execution can limit the reliability and consistency of assessments.
Integrated Autonomous Hull Operations
EverClean is designed as a full-service maritime robotic system capable of performing biofouling removal, hull inspection, and damage assessment within a single in-water deployment. The system operates without requiring drydock access, removes the need for divers to conduct routine inspection and cleaning tasks, and avoids disruption to vessel schedules.
Autonomous robotic units traverse up to 90 percent of a vessel’s hull, carrying out cleaning operations while simultaneously capturing continuous video and hull condition data. This approach embeds inspection within the maintenance process, ensuring that hull visibility is maintained continuously rather than as a separate activity.
The system can be deployed as a self-hosted onboard capability or configured for customized use cases, including operations in locations where port-based service availability is limited.
Defense-Derived Autonomy Framework
The autonomy architecture underpinning EverClean is based on technology developed by Greensea IQ for high-risk defense remotely operated vehicle operations. In these environments, real-time underwater precision and intelligence are mission-critical requirements.
This technology has been validated through more than 20 years of military operational use, providing a proven foundation for consistent performance in underwater environments. Its application to hull maintenance and inspection enables operators to leverage established autonomy capabilities in routine maritime operations.
Operational and Efficiency Considerations
Biofouling remains a significant factor in vessel efficiency. Accumulated marine growth can increase fuel consumption by up to 30 percent, while maintaining a clean hull can reduce fuel costs by approximately 20 percent.
Despite this impact, only about one-third of shipping operators invest in routine biofouling management beyond coating strategies and standard five-year drydock cycles. In many cases, intermittent dive services remain the primary maintenance approach, limiting consistency and long-term effectiveness.
Regulatory expectations are also evolving. The International Maritime Organization’s 2026 Biofouling Guidelines call for vessel operators to implement biofouling management plans and maintain records of cleaning activities. While currently voluntary, regional authorities are increasingly adopting enforcement measures, introducing the potential for denied port entry, operational delays, and legal consequences for non-compliance.
Supporting Maritime Operations and Security Awareness
EverClean is applicable across commercial, port, and government-operated maritime environments. Commercial shipping fleets benefit from improved efficiency and compliance support, while port authorities and security stakeholders gain enhanced visibility of submerged hull conditions.
By combining autonomous cleaning with integrated inspection, EverClean provides persistent hull condition awareness while supporting operational continuity. This approach aligns with evolving regulatory frameworks and increasing demands for efficiency and security across both commercial and defense-related maritime operations.
