At the core of MAELSTROM’s innovative solution is an advanced robotic seabed cleaning platform, developed collaboratively by TECNALIA, CNRS-LIRMM, and "Servizi Tecnici." This floating structure serves as a base station for the cleaning robot, deploying it via cables and winches while integrating a sophisticated suite of underwater sensors to detect, identify, and manage marine litter. The platform supports two key tools: a dredge for collecting smaller debris and a gripper for retrieving larger items, such as tires, boat fragments, and fishing nets. Designed to function as an adaptable and sustainable system, this platform exemplifies cutting-edge technology for marine litter removal and management.

The marine litter recovered during the cleaning campaigns has been characterized and the results are available in the Table 1 and Table 3 of the project deliverable 5.2 "Final report on operation of the Seabed Cleaning System in Venice".