Neptune Robotics raises $52 million for a robot that cleans ships

Neptune Robotics secured $52 million to speed its international growth as demand rises for technology that cleans ship hulls. The Singapore-based company said the funding moves it closer to a planned US listing as early as 2027.

The investment will support an expansion to as many as 30 countries. Neptune focuses on fleets operating the world’s largest container ships and bulk carriers, which face pressure to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions.

Neptune’s robots weigh about 500 kilograms and remove barnacles, algae and other organisms that accumulate on hulls. These deposits increase drag and raise fuel consumption. Industry groups estimate that fouled hulls add up to $30 billion in yearly costs for the global shipping sector.

Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Chan founded Neptune six years ago in Hong Kong with two colleagues before moving the headquarters to Singapore in 2025. Chan said the latest round was led by Granite Asia, with Nippon Yusen KK participating as a strategic investor. Sequoia Capital was an early backer.

Neptune did not disclose its valuation or name major customers other than Nippon Yusen. It said it serves the world’s top five bulk-carrier and container-ship fleets and has raised more capital than rivals such as Hullbot and Ecosubsea, according to Pitchbook data cited by the company.

The firm now provides services in 60 locations in China. Its next priority is Singapore, one of the world’s busiest ports and main refueling hubs. A refueling stop provides a window for hull cleaning, and shipowners aim to reduce the time spent in port.

Neptune says its robots can clean large Capesize vessels in less than 24 hours, even in strong currents and low visibility. Traditional diver-based cleaning takes longer and carries greater safety risks.

The company is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to control the machines. It trains AI models with its own operational data and tests systems from developers including DeepSeek and Anthropic. Chan said AI is the main driver of Neptune’s planned scale-up.

By late 2025, the company expects its robots in Singapore to clean about 150 large cargo ships each month. Neptune plans to deploy additional AI-powered units across regions from South America to the Middle East, including the Suez and Panama canals.