Mario Ploner, the managing director of Tecnomeccanica Biellese, says the ship-based system will use external booms running parallel with the vessel's sides to channel oil onto wool that has been spread over the surface of the sea.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

As the ship moves through a spill, the oil-impregnated wool will be gathered mechanically up ramps and taken into the ship.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

Once on board the wool will be pressed to recover the oil and then reused.

ECONOMIST: Monitor