Japan’s shipping company NYK Line has deepened its partnership with Neptune Robotics by investing in the company’s US$52 million Series B funding round and signing a memorandum of understanding to expand the use of robotic hull cleaning across its fleet.
The funding round was led by Granite Asia.
NYK first adopted Neptune’s AI-driven hull cleaning technology in 2022 and has since reported bunker fuel savings worth up to ten times the cost of cleaning, alongside significant emissions reductions.
Hull fouling can increase fuel consumption by as much as 15–20% as per some studies, making frequent cleaning a key measure for both efficiency and decarbonisation.
“Through this partnership, we aim to create future business opportunities by combining our strengths. We hope to contribute to decarbonisation not only across our fleet but also within the broader shipping sector,” said Hidehiko Sato, General Manager of Ship Business Group at NYK.
Neptune’s robots can clean a Capesize vessel three to five times faster than diver-based methods, operating day and night in clear or murky waters and even in currents up to 4 knots, while protecting hull coatings.
NYK’s involvement is expected to accelerate Neptune’s expansion into Japan and other global markets, while helping the carrier strengthen its decarbonisation efforts through lower fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
