- In Hong Kong, Neptune Robotics, led by co-founder Jacky Im, is revolutionizing maritime industry sustainability with waterproof robots designed to combat biofouling on ship hulls.
- The innovative technology seeks to address the pressing challenge of decarbonizing maritime shipping, which currently emits over 1 billion tons of CO2 annually, a figure expected to surge with increasing global trade.
- With the International Maritime Organization urging zero emissions from ships by 2050, Neptune’s robots offer a practical solution by targeting biofouling, which can increase a ship’s emissions by up to 30%.
Neptune’s robots, equipped with sensors and AI, clean ship hulls using “cavitation cleaning,” vibrating biofouling off with high-velocity microdrops of water. This process, akin to a jeweler cleaning a necklace, not only enhances fuel efficiency but also contributes to emissions reduction. Since its commercial launch in 2020, Neptune has cleaned over 700 vessels, aiding the industry in avoiding roughly 1 million tons of CO2 emissions.
Rising Demand and Regulatory Compliance
As awareness of the ecological threats posed by biofouling grows, demand for hull cleaning services is on the rise. Australia, New Zealand, and California have tightened regulations on ships arriving in their waters, necessitating regular removal of biofouling. In response, Neptune conducted 533 cleaning operations last year, compared to just 16 in 2020, indicating a significant uptick in demand.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While Neptune’s robots represent a scalable solution, there are challenges to overcome, including niche spot cleaning and the need for human intervention in launching and reviewing operations. Moreover, while effective in reducing emissions, these robots alone may not achieve the ambitious emissions reduction targets set by the IMO for 2050. Nonetheless, they offer an actionable and impactful step towards sustainability in maritime shipping, providing tangible benefits in emissions reduction and regulatory compliance.
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Source: Supply Chain Brain
