Granite Asia leads Neptune Robotics’ US$52 million Series B funding round

NYK Line, a strategic investor, is rolling out the startup’s hull-cleaning system to its fleet

Benjamin Cher
Published Mon, Sep 29, 2025 · 01:00 PM
    • Neptune Robotics' underwater robots automate the dangerous work of ship hull cleaning and reduce biofouling, which drives up fuel consumption.
    • Neptune Robotics' underwater robots automate the dangerous work of ship hull cleaning and reduce biofouling, which drives up fuel consumption. PHOTO: NEPTUNE ROBOTICS

    [SINGAPORE] Startup Neptune Robotics has raised US$52 million in a Series B funding round led by Granite Asia, a multi-asset investment platform. Shipping company NYK Line also took part in the fundraising as a strategic investor.

    Neptune Robotics builds underwater robots that can clean ship hulls three to five times more quickly than human divers. They can take less than 24 hours to clean the hull of the largest bulk carrier, operating both day and night.

    They can be deployed in clear or murky waters, as well as amid 4-knot currents. By replacing divers, these robots automate the dangerous work of hull cleaning, which has high fatality rates.

    Neptune Robotics covers 61 ports across Asia, including top bulk carrier and container fleets. Cleaning reduces biofouling – the accumulation of micro-organisms, plants, algae or small animals – on a vessel’s hull, which increases fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent. This costs the shipping industry US$40 billion to US$50 billion a year.

    Hidehiko Sato, general manager of NYK Line’s ship business group, said the startup’s “highly efficient hull-cleaning technology (maximises) protection to hull coatings and contributes to fuel savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as well as compliance with environmental regulation”.

    The shipping company is rolling out the technology to its fleet.

    Neptune Robotics will use the funds raised for research and development, new robotic systems, service platforms driven by artificial intelligence, and further expansion into 20 markets globally.

    Japan could also become a key hub for the startup, following NYK Line’s investment.

    “This round gives us the resources to scale globally, continue innovating and helping shipowners boost returns while cutting emissions,” said Elizabeth Chan, chief executive officer of Neptune Robotics.

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