Capital Costs (CAPEX) — What Does It Cost to Build The Claw?
Based on the mobile ship architecture (Aframax tanker conversion) with marinized PRRS processing (5–10 TPD Phase 1). All mooring costs eliminated.
1. Phase 1 — Proof of Concept (5–10 TPD)
Line-Item Breakdown
| Category | Item | Low | High | Notes |
|---|
| Hull | Aframax tanker (15–20yr, 80–120k DWT) | $20M | $50M | Double-hull required. Self-propelled. |
| Hull | Structural survey + renewal | $5M | $15M | Thickness gauging, fatigue assessment, recoating |
| Hull | Drydock + prep | $3M | $8M | Yard mobilization, cleaning, classification prep |
| Processing | 1× marinized PRRS module (5–10 TPD) | $15M | $40M | Based on PAWDS at ~$2.9M + PRRS design ($2M) + marinization |
| Processing | Pre-processing (shredder, dewatering, conveyors) | $5M | $15M | PAWDS shredder approach — no sorting required |
| Processing | Syngas cleanup train | $5M | $12M | Quench, scrubber, acid gas removal, filters |
| Power | Syngas gas engine (1–2 MW, e.g. Jenbacher) | $3M | $8M | Proven on syngas, compact, marine-tolerant |
| Power | Diesel backup generator(s) | $2M | $5M | For transit and startup |
| Power | Electrical distribution + switchgear | $2M | $5M | Ship conversion electrical refit |
| Collection | Towed boom/barrier system (200–500m) | $5M | $15M | Based on Ocean Cleanup System 03 concepts |
| Collection | Receiving deck + cranes | $5M | $12M | Stern ramp or side intake, sorting conveyor |
| Collection | 5–10 collection drones | $5M | $15M | Semi-autonomous surface skimmers |
| Accommodation | Crew quarters (20–30 persons) | $3M | $8M | Existing tanker accommodation often sufficient with upgrade |
| Systems | Navigation, comms, satellite | $2M | $5M | VSAT, AIS, radar, weather |
| Systems | Safety (fire, life-saving, helipad if fitted) | $3M | $8M | SOLAS compliance |
| Systems | Slag storage + offloading | $1M | $3M | Small volume at 5 TPD (~0.5 tonnes/day slag) |
| Engineering | Design, PM, classification society | $15M | $40M | DNV or Lloyd's; novel class notation needed |
| | | | |
| Subtotal | | $99M | $264M | |
| Contingency (30%) | First-of-kind risk buffer | $30M | $79M | Standard for novel projects |
| Total Phase 1 | | $129M | $343M | |
Phase 1 Mid-Range Estimate: ~$200–250M
This is less than the cost of a single deep-water oil well ($100–400M) and a fraction of a typical FPSO conversion ($500M–1.5B).
2. What Drives the Cost
Top 5 Cost Items (Phase 1)
| Rank | Item | % of Total | Reducible? |
|---|
| 1 | Hull acquisition + refit | ~25–30% | Somewhat — depends on tanker market |
| 2 | Processing equipment (PRRS + pre-processing) | ~20–25% | Depends on PyroGenesis pricing |
| 3 | Engineering + classification | ~15–20% | No — first-of-kind is expensive |
| 4 | Collection systems | ~10–15% | Yes — can start simpler and upgrade |
| 5 | Power generation | ~8–10% | Somewhat — standard marine equipment |
What's NOT in Phase 1 CAPEX
| Excluded Item | Why | When Needed |
|---|
| Mooring system | Mobile ship — no mooring | Never (ship architecture) |
| Hydrogen production/storage | Phase 1 uses syngas for power only | Phase 2+ |
| Fischer-Tropsch reactor | Liquid fuel production not needed Phase 1 | Phase 3+ |
| Helipad | Optional for Aframax; emergency evac by ship | Phase 2 (larger vessel) |
| Second processing line | 5–10 TPD sufficient for proof of concept | Phase 2 |
3. Phase 2 — Validated Scale (10–25 TPD)
Once Phase 1 proves the technology and energy loop at sea:
| Category | Item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|
| Option A: Upgrade existing ship | Add 1–2 PRRS modules to Phase 1 vessel | $30–80M | If Aframax has space |
| Option B: Second vessel | Suezmax conversion + 2–3 PRRS modules | $150–300M | Independent second unit |
| Collection upgrade | Larger boom system + expanded drone fleet | $10–30M | |
| Power upgrade | Gas turbine (higher efficiency) | $5–15M | |
| Engineering | Classification for expanded operations | $10–25M | Easier — Phase 1 established precedent |
| Total Phase 2 | | $50–150M (upgrade) or $175–350M (new vessel) | |
Cumulative CAPEX through Phase 2: $300–600M
4. Phase 3 — Fleet Scale (50–100 TPD)
| Item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|
| 2–3 additional vessels (Suezmax/VLCC class) | $300–700M | Each vessel is a proven repeat |
| Processing equipment (PRRS modules) | $100–250M | Volume discount from PyroGenesis |
| Expanded collection fleet | $30–80M | Larger drone fleet, more booms |
| Shore-side hydrogen production (optional) | $50–150M | Port-based H₂ extraction from syngas |
| Engineering + classification | $30–60M | Repeat class — much cheaper |
| Total Phase 3 | $510M–$1.24B | |
Cumulative CAPEX through Phase 3: $800M–$1.8B
5. Comparison to Alternatives
| Project | CAPEX | What You Get |
|---|
| The Claw Phase 1 | $129–343M | 5–10 TPD processing ship, self-powered, 1,000–2,000 t/yr |
| Ocean Cleanup System 03 | ~$30–50M (est.) | Collection only — no processing, must return to shore |
| Single deep-water oil well | $100–400M | One well, not a platform |
| FPSO conversion (oil/gas) | $500M–1.5B | Proven industry, but different purpose |
| The Manta (SeaCleaners) | €35M target | 70m vessel, 1–3 TPD, pyrolysis not plasma |
| Prelude FLNG (Shell) | $12.6–17.5B | Floating LNG factory — largest ever built |
The Claw Phase 1 is in the same cost range as The Manta but with proven plasma technology (not unproven pyrolysis) and 3–5× the processing capacity.
6. Funding Path
| Source | Potential | Timing | Notes |
|---|
| Impact investors | $50–150M | Seed / Series A | Ocean cleanup is a strong ESG narrative |
| Government grants | $20–50M | Pre-construction | EU Innovation Fund precedent (€29.5M for Plagazi) |
| Plastic producer EPR levies | $10–30M/yr | Once operational | Extended Producer Responsibility — producers pay for cleanup |
| Carbon/plastic credit pre-sales | $10–30M | Pre-construction | Forward contracts on future credits |
| Strategic partner (PyroGenesis) | In-kind / equity | Phase 1 | Technology contribution for equity stake |
| Philanthropic | $10–50M | Any time | Ocean Cleanup raised $100M+ from philanthropy |
| Revenue (credits) | $3–10M/yr | Once operational | Self-funding for expansion |
Total addressable funding: $100–350M+ for Phase 1 — achievable given the narrative strength and ESG alignment.
Analysis compiled March 2026. Based on FPSO conversion market data, PyroGenesis pricing (PAWDS contracts, PRRS European deal), Ocean Cleanup estimated costs, tanker market pricing, and offshore engineering cost benchmarks.