The Ocean Cleanup deploys rubbish-collecting barge for operational tests in Vietnam

Interceptor 003, the newest pollution-collecting barge in the fleet of Netherlands-based non-profit The Ocean Cleanup, has begun undergoing a series of tests in Vietnam to allow its performance to be evaluated under operational conditions.

The tests include an ongoing project where the vessel is being used to collect rubbish on the surface of the Can Tho River.

Like its sister vessels, Interceptor 003 is fitted with a floating barrier that extends towards the front for funneling waste through the vessel’s mouth. The rubbish will then be transported via a conveyor to onboard containers with a total capacity of 50 cubic metres.

The barge can work autonomously until its onboard storage becomes full, though it can continue extracting debris even as its six 8.3-cubic-metre dumpsters are being emptied.