Robotic solution for clean hulls

Modern Art? – a serious problem for vessels!

Despite biocidal chemical coatings, this fouling slime will develop within days.

photo by: Andreas Fischer

„For example, a layer of slime as thin as 0.5 mm covering up to 50% of a hull surface could trigger an increase of GHG emissions in the range of 25 to 30%, depending on ship characteristics, its speed and other prevailing conditions.“

GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project

Our Mission

We believe in biocide-free and net zero emission shipping

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Reducing GHG emissions

Less drag, less fuel consumption results in minimal GHG emission, that simple!

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Conservation of marine life

Making the use of biocidal coating chemicals obsolete, thus saving marine life

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Alternative fuels

Enabling the transition into a new era of transportation with green fuels, only economical with clean hulls

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Decent work

Larabicus cleans autonomously, making manual and dangerous cleaning by hand obsolete

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Ecosystem balance

Fighting a main contributor to invasive aquatic species introduction. Slime: fouling slime to be precise!

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Developing new technologies

We pave the way for future inventions and optimization in the shipping industry

Our mission is honored by the Young Innovators Award

During the international 15th Symposium HIPER in Bernried, Larabicus hull cleaning technology received the HANSA Young Innovators Award 2023. The award is given once a year to particularly forward-thinking innovators in the field of performance technologies for maritime vehicles. The HANSA International Maritime Journal is an international, technically oriented journal on topics of shipbuilding and marine technology.

Read the Article

photo by: Patrick Schmetzer

Great victory for Larabicus

Larabicus was awarded first place by both the jury and the audience in the Hesse Ideas Competition 2023. The competition honors the best ideas from Hessian universities.

We thank everyone who supported us and who voted for Larabicus.

More information

Cleaning as a Service

You focus on logistics; we keep your hull compliant

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No additional downtime

Larabicus serves 24/7, in transit, autonomously

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Stay competitive!

Reduce your fuel consumption up to 15%, maximize fuel efficiency

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Predictive maintenace

Keep your fleet up and running with reduced maintenance time

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Always compliant with international regulations

Continous reporting, by Larabicus, guarantees your fleet full access to all destinations

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Integrity of hull coating

Guaranteed by Larabicus thanks to patented technology

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2035 - Carbon intensity indicator

Get in touch! We show you how to superceed global standards

Inspired by Nature

Larabicus is an innovative robotic cleaner fish designed for autonomous, in-transit ship hull maintenance. Its state-of-the-art SuSa-Drive propulsion system harnesses energy from surrounding water, enabling prolonged operation. Highly maneuverable, it navigates around intricate ship attachments, offering comprehensive cleaning. Larabicus not only reduces fuel consumption but also minimizes the risk of transporting invasive species, making it an eco-friendly solution for the maritime industry.

Meet the Team

Dr. Florian Gerland

CEO

Postdoc in fluid dynamics & mechanical engineering

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Thomas Schomberg

CTO

Lead Engineer, writing his doctorate in fluid dynamics

Tatjana Liese

CSO

Master of Science in Biological Oceanography

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We are hiring

Funded by

The project Larabicus is funded as part of the exist program by the Federal Ministry for economic affairs and climate action and the European Union via the European Social Fund Plus.