Innovation: Emergent Maritime Technologies Unveils First Local Maritime Technology Recognized by IMO

Emergent Maritime Technologies recently showcased a local maritime technology, EAGLON, at the Port Louis harbor, which has been selected by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This remotely operated vehicle (ROV) allows for the inspection of ship hulls without divers, combining safety, performance, and environmental control. It marks a groundbreaking milestone for Mauritian engineering on the international stage.

Last week, Port Louis harbor witnessed a historic first for Mauritius: the demonstration of a maritime technology entirely designed, developed, and built locally by Emergent Maritime Technologies (EMT) drew the attention of the IMO. Named EAGLON, this ROV is engineered to inspect and assess ship hulls without the need for divers, enabling ports and maritime operators to manage biofouling more safely and effectively.

According to EMT, biofouling, the accumulation of marine organisms on ship hulls, poses a significant operational and environmental challenge. It promotes the spread of invasive species and increases fuel consumption. The IMO's TEST Biofouling Project aims to identify and validate environmentally friendly and efficient solutions in real-world conditions, and EAGLON has distinguished itself as one of the first local technologies to meet these criteria on an international scale. "This is not just a business success. It proves that Mauritius is capable of creating world-class maritime technologies. This aligns perfectly with Vision 2050: transitioning from consumption to creation, and from importing technologies to exporting high-value services based on Mauritian engineering," emphasizes Shani Ghurburrun, founder and director of EMT.

Developed and tested in the local maritime environment, EAGLON utilized the Port Louis harbor as a real-world testing ground before being prepared for international deployment. Currently, the ROV is already being implemented in three foreign ports, while the company maintains its strategic, technical, and financial control in Mauritius. The IMO is currently recommending the inspection of ship hulls, a measure that is expected to become mandatory within two years to better combat biofouling. According to Commander Babacar Diop, training consultant for the IMO, "the operational capacity of divers is limited, and their inspections are not always reliable. Hence, there is a global race for the development of this type of technology, and this underwater drone does exactly what is required: maneuverability, image quality, and safety." He expresses satisfaction in seeing that this technology is entirely Mauritian and continually improving.

The international reach of EAGLON aligns with EMT's long-term growth strategy. "Our technology has been entirely self-funded. We do not seek public funding or grants," clarifies Shani Ghurburrun. He adds, "The real question is not financial. It is whether our institutional and legal framework allows for this type of innovation to be retained, developed, and industrialized from Mauritius."

Beyond just a demonstration, this project highlights a broader challenge for small innovation ecosystems: a limited yet essential local market for validation and learning, often exposed to international competition with imported solutions. "Countries that succeed in innovation leave nothing to chance. They sequence market openings, incubate their strategic capabilities, and establish proportionate regulatory frameworks. Therefore, the question is not whether this technology will succeed internationally, but whether Mauritius will remain its birthplace," states Shani Ghurburrun.