Cleaning barnacles and algae off the hulls of some of the world’s largest liners – that’s the work of our guest for today.

Founded in 2018, Neptune Robotics is a pioneer in AI-powered robotics and uses robots to reduce biofouling or an accumulation of microorganisms, algae, plants and animals on ship hulls.

For context, removing biofouling and hull cleaning is important for the maritime industry because it helps ships reduce drag and consequently fuel consumption. It could also result in the transfer of invasive aquatic species to different parts of the world as the vessel travels.

The process can be done by traditional divers. But in the case of Neptune Robotics, the firm is able to use its proprietary robots called Magneto to do so.

The firm is also said to have raised the industry standard by countering currents of 1 knot to 4 knots to allow for 24-hour cleaning a day in anchorages, instead of the 4 hours a day of traditional cleaning by divers.

Neptune Robotics started commercial operations in 2020 and has seen its cleaning services expanded to 60 ports in Asia and endorsed by some of the world’s largest liners, shipowners and operators.

The firm has also reportedly received US$17.25 million in series A investments in 2022 and is currently backed by Sequoia China, the venture capital giant behind Apple, Whatsapp and Shein.

Why are we speaking to Neptune Robotics you might ask? Well, the firm had in November 2024 expanded to Singapore, bringing its service coverage to over 55 per cent of the international merchant vessels’ stops. The expansion in Singapore would allow the firm to support shipowners and operators along China-Singapore shipping routes.

But really how important is Singapore as a market for the firm? Also – what are the longer term opportunities for the firm as the maritime industry seeks to address the issue of biofouling to push ahead on their decarbonisation agenda?

On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Elizabeth Chan, Co-founder & CEO of Neptune Robotics.

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