Belfast Harbour has become the first marina anywhere in the UK to install an innovative new Aquapod, a cutting‑edge system designed to capture and remove floating objects and materials directly at the waterline. The technology, which safely gathers litter, natural debris and microplastics, has now been deployed in the heart of the busy Belfast Harbour Marina – a popular destination for visitors and boat users.
Developed by Northern Ireland company NETZERO Alchemists, the Aquapod sits just below the waterline, drawing in floating debris, and is emptied at regular intervals, reducing the need for intensive manual clean-up out on the water itself. The system also utilises Clean Impact View software to monitor ongoing visibility of activity over time, providing the opportunity to better understand the type and volume of material being collected, as well as helping to prevent wildlife from entering the device.
As well as supporting Blue Flag Marina accreditation, environmental stewardship, and informing operational decision-making, this new installation supports Belfast Harbour’s strategic commitment to Create Vibrant Places to Live and Work.
It also complements other ongoing initiatives, including the successful oyster restoration programme, in partnership with Ulster Wildlife, and the Blue Flag Environmental Code of Conduct, which supports boat owners with taking an active role in protecting the marine environment, including distributing environmentally-friendly boat cleaning kits.
Simon Gibson, Marine, Environment & Biodiversity Officer at Belfast Harbour, said:
“We’re proud to be the first marina in the UK to introduce the Aquapod system and hope Belfast Harbour can act as a benchmark for how practical innovation can support with improving water quality and creating better environments.
“The Marina is one of the most visible and high-profile places where the public and the port meet within Belfast Harbour, whether it’s for visitors to our waterfront or for those who arrive into Belfast by leisure craft, so it’s important that it reflects the very best of the city.
“As well as evaluating the impact of the Aquapod, we will be looking at other technological approaches we can adopt as we continue to innovate to further improve this area for visitors and boat users alike.”
Alan Branagh, from NETZERO Alchemists, said:
“People trust clean spaces, and Belfast Harbour has recognised that maintaining visible standards in a working harbour environment requires continuous intervention, not just occasional response. The Aquapod allows that work to happen quietly, automatically, and consistently at the waterline every day.
“This installation represents more than the introduction of new technology. It demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship by combining practical action with innovation, helping to protect the marina today while building the evidence needed to support more informed environmental management in the future.”