Maritime Innovation - Biofouling: A Mauritian Drone Makes Its Mark at the International Maritime Organization

In the harbor of Port Louis, an underwater technology developed in Mauritius has reached a historic milestone. Selected by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the EAGLON drone positions Mauritian engineering on the global map of maritime innovation.

On January 28 in Port Louis, a discreet technical demonstration marked an unprecedented step for Mauritius. EAGLON, a remotely operated underwater vehicle designed and fully manufactured on the island, successfully inspected the hull of the Mauritius Trochetia in front of international experts. This achievement warrants recognition: this Mauritian technology has been selected by the IMO as part of the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) Biofouling Project, a strategic program aimed at combating biofouling.

This is a first for Mauritius. The stakes go far beyond technical prowess: the country aims to transition from being an importer of solutions to becoming a creator of exportable technologies.

Biofouling – the accumulation of marine organisms on hulls – poses greater issues than mere inconvenience. This phenomenon spreads invasive species, disrupts ecosystems, and increases fuel consumption in vessels, thereby raising CO2 emissions. In light of these challenges, the IMO is no longer content with recommendations; it seeks operational solutions tested in real-world conditions.

EAGLON meets this demand. Designed as an inspection and assessment tool, EAGLON enables ports and maritime operators to monitor hull conditions, identify biofouling presence, and make informed maintenance decisions. Unlike traditional diver inspections, which are limited by visibility, depth, and human risks, this drone offers operational continuity and data traceability.

Under the watchful eyes of observers, EAGLON was deployed in the water, gliding along the ship's hull with remarkable stability. The real-time images allowed for a detailed inspection without interrupting port operations, without human risks, and without environmental impact.

"There is currently a global race for the development of this type of technology, and this underwater drone does exactly what it’s supposed to do," emphasizes Commander Babacar Diop, a consultant for the IMO. "It’s a great achievement in maneuverability and image quality," he adds, praising a technology "entirely designed and manufactured in Mauritius."

Behind this innovation is Shani Ghurburrun, founder of Emergent Maritime Technologies (EMT). This engineer developed EAGLON without massive public funding, using the local marine environment as a laboratory. "This is not just a business success. It proves that Mauritius is capable of creating world-class maritime technologies," he asserts. "This aligns perfectly with Vision 2050: transitioning from consumption to creation, and from importing technology to exporting high-value services based on Mauritian engineering."

However, the entrepreneur points out a greater challenge than funding: "The real issue is whether our institutional and legal framework allows for this type of innovation to be preserved, developed, and industrialized from Mauritius."

EMT’s solution relies on service exportation rather than hardware sales. EAGLON is already in deployment phase at three international ports, while technical and strategic control remains in Mauritius. This approach helps maintain added value within Mauritius while serving a global market.

Minister Arvin Boolell sees alignment with national ambitions: "We are proud that such technology has been developed entirely in Mauritius," he stated during the demonstration, highlighting that the country is working closely with the IMO to find solutions to global maritime challenges.

With the regulatory reinforcement expected from the IMO – hull inspections could become mandatory in two years – solutions like EAGLON are shifting from being optional to a necessity. For Mauritius, the challenge now is to turn this trial into a sustainable position in the global maritime innovation market.