Milestones

The present

• June – November 2019

  System 001/B

  System 001/B

  On our journey to reach proven technology, we must iterate swiftly and efficiently. Using the lessons learned from the System 001 mission (2018), we have been able to address the two main issues observed, plastic retention and structural integrity, with the design of System 001/B. Launched mid-2019, this system is smaller and modular, allowing for offshore adaptations. In this way, we can quickly see which modification is more effective and improve going forward. Follow the journey of System 001/B here:

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• 2018

  System 001

  System 001

  On September 8, 2018, The Ocean Cleanup launched its first cleanup system, System 001, into the North Pacific to trial the technology at full scale. As the first deployment of its kind, the team was able to conduct extensive testing with System 001 in its intended environment; but, after four months offshore, the decision was made to return to port to further analyze the challenges encountered offshore. The learnings from System 001 brought us one step closer to proven technology and will be the foundation for future design iterations. Find out more about the System 001 journey here:

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The past

• 2016

  First North Sea Prototype

  First North Sea Prototype

  In June 2016, we put our barrier to the test in the open ocean for the first time. The North Sea was a great test environment, due to its strong tidal currents, and short, steep wave patterns.

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• 2015

  Scale model testing

  Scale model testing

  Executing a series of scale model tests to determine the loads, dynamics and cleanup efficiency of our floating barrier system.

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