NYK Line, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, is doubling down on robotic hull cleaning to slash fuel use and emissions. The Japanese giant has expanded its partnership with Neptune Robotics, scaling the startup’s AI-powered cleaning bots across its global fleet. This isn’t just a tech trial—it’s a full-scale rollout, backed by NYK’s participation in Neptune’s $52 million Series B funding round.
NYK has been testing Neptune’s robots since 2022, and the results speak for themselves. Early deployments delivered up to 10 times the fuel savings compared to cleaning costs, with significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. Now, the expanded partnership aims to replicate those gains fleet-wide, proving that automation can drive real decarbonization at scale.
“NYK has been one of the earliest and most forward-looking adopters of robotic hull cleaning. Their leadership has allowed us to demonstrate how automation can deliver real ROI and emissions reductions at scale. Together, we are proving robotics is a practical, scalable pathway to decarbonization,” said Elizabeth Chan, CEO of Neptune Robotics.
Unlike traditional diver-based or ROV cleaning, Neptune’s robots operate autonomously, day and night, in currents up to four knots. They clean both above and below the waterline, three to five times faster than conventional methods, while protecting hull coatings. This isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about unlocking a new era of automated, data-driven vessel maintenance.
For NYK, this partnership isn’t just about cutting costs. It’s about shaping the future of maritime decarbonization. “We are impressed by Neptune Robotics’ highly efficient hull cleaning technology which maximizes protection to hull coatings and contributes to fuel savings and GHG emissions reduction, as well as compliance with environmental regulation,” said Hidehiko Sato, General Manager of Ship Business Group at NYK. “Through this partnership, we aim to create future business opportunities by combining our strengths. We hope to contribute to decarbonization not only across our fleet but also within the broader shipping sector.”
This isn’t just a win for NYK and Neptune—it’s a wake-up call for the industry. If robotic cleaning can deliver 10x fuel savings while cutting emissions, why aren’t more operators adopting it? The answer lies in the partnership model. By investing in Neptune’s growth, NYK isn’t just buying a service—it’s co-developing a solution tailored to its fleet’s needs. This kind of collaboration could be the key to unlocking wider adoption.
The shipping industry is at a crossroads. With IMO 2030 and 2050 decarbonization targets looming, operators need scalable, cost-effective solutions. NYK and Neptune are proving that robotics isn’t just a futuristic concept—it’s a practical, proven tool for cutting emissions today. The question now is: Who’s next to follow their lead?