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Description
Marservis is a small and innovative shipbuilder from Western Istria, Adriatic Region. Marservis produces a broad range of leisure and service boats, with a variety of materials, propulsion, and equipment.
As a response to the need for efficient removal of marine litter, the project EcoCube aims at development of floating containers – “ecological islands” for collecting solid waste and wastewater from vessels and placing them along the Croatian coast near waterways that are regularly used by boaters and excursion vessels.
It is to enable "polluters" to discharge wastewater and solid waste into the reservoirs of ecological islands and thus protect the Adriatic Sea. The project invests in the development of a prototype of floating tanks – ecological islands.
This is an R&D project that will be jointly implemented with Norwegian company Clean Sea Solution, and this project represents continuation of the already existing successful cooperation between the two companies.
Both partners are participating financially in this project. Grant allocated to Marservis is EUR 146.000, and to Clean Sea Solutions is EUR 72.000.
Both partners will share IPRs (protection of industrial design of a new product and trademark and patent protection - 2 IPR registrations), and will share the project financial results, by way that each will benefit from their own sales.
This is a green blue project that will lead to increased revenues and profit of both companies, and will further strengthen their competitiveness.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the pollution of seas and bays, mostly in Adriatic, from solid waste and wastewater discharged by recreational vessels, which concentrate heavily in protected areas and pose significant environmental risks.
The activities carried out as part of the project included:
- Testing and development of a fully autonomous floating station to receive solid waste and wastewater from vessels.
- Construction of components such as floats, housing structure, tanks, and roof, all made from biocomposite materials.
- Integration of systems and sensors within the housing for automated operation.
- Installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof to power the battery system.
The output of the project is a prototype device of the floating station, designed for effective waste collection and autonomous operation, and it is ready for commercialization.
The project successfully developed an autonomous floating facility for collecting solid waste and wastewater from vessels, in collaboration with the Norwegian partner CSS. This innovation represents a major step forward in sustainable maritime technology.
Project Achievements
ECOcube is a self-sufficient solution, designed to receive wastewater and solid waste from vessels while providing them with desalinated water.
Constructed from natural fibers and bioepoxy resin, it operates autonomously using solar panels and batteries, with remote monitoring via integrated sensors.
The system enables responsible waste disposal, reducing pollution and protecting marine ecosystems.
Beneficiaries
Boaters & Nautical Tourists – A legal and accessible waste disposal option.
Marinas & Coastal Authorities – Cleaner waters and improved sustainability.
Marine Ecosystems & Environmental Organizations – Reduced pollution and biodiversity protection.
Local Communities & Tourism Industry – Enhanced coastal appeal and economic benefits.
Regulatory Bodies & Policymakers – Supports enforcement of environmental regulations.
The project has already received two prestigious awards for its innovative and sustainable design:
DAME Design Award at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam, recognizing its unique waste collection and desalination system powered by solar energy.
Qualitec Design Award 2025 at the SEATEC exhibition in Carrara, further affirming its excellence in sustainable maritime innovation.
ECOcube stands as a groundbreaking solution in eco-friendly nautical waste management, contributing to the long-term protection of the Adriatic Sea and beyond.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation between Marservis and Clean Sea Solutions (CSS) focused on the design, integration, and testing of the ECOcube, an autonomous solution for collecting solid waste and wastewater from vessels. CSS actively participated in all critical phases of the project, ensuring effective collaboration in optimizing subsystems and validating the final prototype. This partnership not only facilitated the successful development of the ECOcube but also positions both companies for future commercialization and engagement with potential clients and stakeholders.