SOLUTION / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
Rustibus’ green deck maintenance tools help ships to clean up their act
- Published 20 March 2023; updated 28 September 2026; estimated reading time 3 minutes. Listed under Maritime / Ship design and ship’s equipment and Made in Norway.
- Rustibus’ ECO 2000 is a walk-behind heavy-duty tool for removing loose paint, rust, scale and old non-skid material from large, flat ship-deck areas. Unlike the standard machine’s optional vacuum port, the ECO 2000 includes a built-in bag that collects debris as the machine runs for proper disposal. The article says it is simple to operate, needs no special training/PPE and is designed for safer, more comfortable use.
- The problem described is microplastic and other pollution from deck coatings and maintenance. The page cites research attributing up to 80% of microplastic pollution in some areas to polymers in ship coating binders and says cleaning debris is often dumped overboard, harming marine life and food chains.
- ECO 2000 machines can currently use electric, pneumatic or diesel power. Rustibus says the chassis is designed to accept a battery and that it hopes to use hydrogen fuel cells in future as technology develops. The standard line is said to have a 20-year life, with potential for recycling. The company also established a Clean Ocean Initiative for research, education and collaboration to reduce ship-related marine pollution.
- Rustibus reports machines on more than 12,000 ships, approximately 10% of the global fleet, and offices on four continents. Founded in 1978, the company planned to update its original tools with greener designs. The CEO says customers increasingly ask about waste collection as well as cost.
- Linked to SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production) and SDG 14 (Life below water) for collecting maintenance waste and preventing harm to marine organisms.
- Contact: Kristian Dalseide, CEO, kd@rustibus.com. Company: RUSTIBUS WORLDWIDE AS, Bekkjarviksundet 19, 5397 Bekkjarvik, Norway; rustibus.com. A phone-number reveal control is present.