An astonishing invention designed to combat the massive crisis of marine plastic pollution has been launched by Dutch engineers: a 600-meter long floating “vacuum” cleaner designed to passively collect plastic debris from the ocean surface.

This groundbreaking system is a vital effort aimed at tackling the vast accumulation of plastic in the world’s oceans, helping to preserve the marine ecosystem and protect delicate sea life.

The Largest Ocean Cleanup System
Developed by the non-profit organization The Ocean Cleanup, the system—known as System 03 or “The Interceptor”—is the culmination of years of testing and engineering refinement.

Design: The system consists of a massive, 600-meter (nearly 2,000 feet) long floating barrier that is shaped like a giant U.

Function: It floats on the surface and acts like a vast, passive screen. It is propelled naturally by ocean currents, waves, and wind, allowing the plastic debris to be funneled and concentrated in the center of the U.

Collection: Once the plastic is concentrated, it is collected and stored in a specialized retention zone, ready to be periodically hauled out by support vessels for recycling on land.

Protecting Marine Life and Ecosystems
The project’s design prioritizes marine safety. The barrier uses a net-like skirt that extends several meters below the water, but the speed difference between the plastic and the device is minimal, allowing marine life to swim safely beneath the system.

This latest deployment builds on earlier successful trials, which have demonstrated the system’s viability in catching everything from large ghost nets to tiny microplastics.

The successful development and launch of this massive floating barrier represents a significant stride in global efforts to keep our oceans clean and mitigate the destructive impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems.