Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), a leading global shipping company, has deepened its collaboration with Neptune Robotics to enhance robotic hull cleaning across its fleet. This initiative is anticipated to yield significant fuel savings and expedite decarbonization in maritime operations. NYK has been partnering with Neptune since 2022, becoming an early adopter of their innovative cleaning technology. Previous deployments showed that Neptune’s robots achieved fuel savings up to tenfold compared to traditional cleaning methods, leading to notable reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.
The expanded partnership aims to implement robotic cleaning on a larger scale, promising even greater savings and carbon reductions in the next phase of deployment. Additionally, NYK has participated in Neptune’s $52 million Series B funding round, led by Granite Asia, aligning their goals for global expansion. Hidehiko Sato, General Manager of NYK’s Ship Business Group, emphasized the efficiency of Neptune’s technology, which not only protects hull coatings but also aids in meeting environmental regulations.
Elizabeth Chan, CEO of Neptune Robotics, praised NYK’s proactive approach, highlighting how their partnership showcases the practical benefits of automation in achieving emissions reductions. Unlike traditional diver-based methods, Neptune’s AI-powered robots can clean large vessels significantly faster and operate in various water conditions, demonstrating the viability of robotics in the shipping industry’s decarbonization efforts.
