AI robotics
Entrepreneur First '18Hong Kong, HK · Founded 2018 · 7 known investors
Neptune Robotics develops deep-tech, data-driven solutions for the maritime and shipping industry to support decarbonization. The company works on cleaner shipping through robotics and data.
Also known as Neptune
Founders & leadership
AI robotics was founded in 2018 by Elizabeth Chan and Zhuo Quan (Jacky) Im.
Investors · 7
Also in the syndicate · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Neptune Robotics builds and operates remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) that clean and inspect the hulls of commercial vessels, replacing human divers. Core services include robotic hull cleaning using cavitational waterjet technology, robotic hull and coating inspection with digital biofouling representations, propeller polishing and niche-area cleaning to Marine Protection Institute (MPI) standards, and an "Annual Care" programme covering proactive year-round hull maintenance. Cleaning and inspection are performed at berths and inner and outer anchorages while vessels continue loading, discharging, bunkering or sludge operations.
Service delivery is wrapped in a defined operational process: order confirmation and ETA tracking, coordination with masters and local agents, compliance with port authority approvals, an inspection preview report within four hours, and full online reports covering fouling, coating analysis and fuel and carbon savings traceability. A fleet-wide dashboard (the Neptune Online Management System) lets customers track hull cleaning records, maintenance plans, fuel savings and carbon reduction across a fleet.
According to the Series B announcement, Neptune's robots can clean full-draft Capesize vessels in under 24 hours, operate day and night in clear or murky water and in 4-knot currents, and clean 3-5 times faster than divers. The company frames its offering around decarbonisation, citing biofouling as a source of up to 30% additional fuel consumption and US$40-50 billion in annual industry costs.
Founding story
Per a company-hosted panel biography, Kate Ma founded Neptune Robotics in 2018 together with Elizabeth and Jacky. Ma studied Mathematics at Imperial College London and LSE and qualified as an actuary at Deloitte London before starting the company. The same source describes her as Co-Founder and CEO; Entrepreneurs First lists Elizabeth Chan as CEO and Zhuo Quan (Jacky) Im as CTO, founded 2018.
Business model
Neptune sells standardized robot-delivered underwater services (hull cleaning, inspection, propeller polishing, annual maintenance programmes) to vessel owners, charterers and managers on a per-port, per-vessel basis, supported by an online reporting and fleet management platform. It operates its own robots and workboats rather than selling hardware, and has invested in local operating infrastructure such as a Singapore factory and workboats.
Service revenue from robotic underwater cleaning, inspection and propeller polishing work performed on customer vessels at ports and anchorages, including recurring annual hull-care programmes; the sources do not disclose pricing or revenue figures.
Traction
Website claims coverage at 60+ ports and annual fleet fuel savings of 9-18%; the Series B release states coverage of 61 Asian ports representing ~70% of international trade routes and that Neptune already serves the world's top bulk carrier and container fleets. NYK Line, a customer since 2022, is rolling the technology out fleetwide across bulk carriers and car carriers. An earlier company-hosted biography cited an average 15% fuel economy improvement from removing biofouling. No revenue, vessel-count or headcount figures are disclosed in the sources.
Latest developments
In September 2025 Neptune announced a US$52 million Series B led by Granite Asia with strategic investment from NYK Line, to fund R&D, new robotic systems, AI-driven service platforms and expansion into 20 markets, with Japan as a potential hub. Other recent company announcements include a US$12 million investment in a new Singapore factory targeting a five-fold increase in autonomous hull cleanings, a second Singapore workboat going live, an MOU with NYK Line on maritime decarbonisation, and inclusion in the NextGen Tech 30 list for green maritime innovation.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Positioned as a robotics-based alternative to diver-led in-water hull cleaning in a market the company and its lead investor describe as multi-billion-dollar, given more than 50,000 large commercial vessels in operation. Coverage of 61 Asian ports is said to represent roughly 70% of international trade routes, and the company states it serves top global bulk carrier and container fleets. Company news claims it topped a list of top 5 global maritime robotics companies and it was named to the NextGen Tech 30 for green maritime innovation.
The company markets six differentiators: above-water cleaning coverage of 6-10 metres, imaging in muddy/zero-visibility water, operation in currents up to 4 knots, no damage to antifouling coatings via cavitational waterjets, ability to work at berths and anchorages during cargo and bunkering operations, and a stated 100% success rate for compliant entry to Australia and New Zealand under AMSA and MPI requirements. Robot-based operation also removes divers from a high-fatality task and is claimed to be 3-5x faster than diving.
Technology
ROV-based hull cleaning using cavitational waterjets that the company states remove fouling without reducing coating roughness or thickness, with a coating-friendly approach it says is endorsed by leading global paint manufacturers. Stated capabilities include cleaning 6-10 metres above the waterline for seagrass and barnacles, imaging in zero-visibility/murky water (described as 4K clarity of vertical sides and flat bottom), hull adhesion and operation in currents up to 4 knots, and operation at berths and anchorages. Software includes an online management system delivering before/after imagery, fouling and coating analysis, fuel and carbon savings traceability and fleet-wide biofouling management; Series B proceeds are earmarked partly for AI-driven service platforms.
Go-to-market
Direct sales to shipowners, ship managers, charterers and agents, with website enquiry forms segmented by vessel type (container, bulk carrier, tanker) and fleet size. Growth is also driven by fleet-level agreements with large shipping groups, such as the MOU with NYK Line, which has worked with Neptune since 2022 and is deploying the technology across its global fleet. The company publishes customer cases, technical content and industry insights, and participates in industry events such as #TheVoyagers.
Owners, charterers, managers and agents of large commercial vessels — container ships, bulk carriers (including Capesize), tankers and car carriers — operating across Asian trade routes and calling at Australia and New Zealand.
Geography
Headquartered in Hong Kong per Entrepreneurs First portfolio listing, with service coverage across 60+ ports listed on the website — predominantly mainland China (including Shanghai Yangshan/Waigaoqiao, Ningbo Beilun/Daxie/Meishan, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, Guangzhou Nansha, Shenzhen Yantian/Shekou, Zhoushan, Xiamen, Zhanjiang and others) plus Singapore. The Series B release cites 61 Asian ports. Services also support vessels entering Australia and New Zealand under AMSA and MPI rules. The company has relocated to Singapore, operates a second workboat there and announced a US$12m Singapore factory; expansion to 20 markets is planned, with Japan cited as a potential hub.
History
Founded in 2018 in Hong Kong and listed in the Entrepreneurs First portfolio (Hong Kong; industrial & manufacturing / robotics). Early deployments covered ports in Hong Kong and mainland China including Ningbo, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Yantian, Shekou, Zhenjiang and Fangcheng, ahead of Shanghai. NYK Line began working with Neptune in 2022. The company subsequently relocated to Singapore to meet rising demand, launched a second workboat there, signed an MOU with NYK Line, announced a US$12m Singapore factory, and raised a US$52m Series B led by Granite Asia in September 2025.
Risks & controversies
The sources contain no reported controversies. Notable uncertainties: performance and market claims (9-18% fuel savings, "top 1% in the industry", "top 5 global maritime robotics companies", 100% Australia/New Zealand entry success) originate from the company's own website and press release rather than independent verification; leadership attribution differs between sources, with one company-hosted biography naming Kate Ma as co-founder and CEO while the Entrepreneurs First listing names Elizabeth Chan as CEO. Operations are concentrated in Chinese ports and depend on local marine department approvals and evolving biofouling regulation (AMSA, MPI).
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 6
launches, deals, and filingsSeries B of US$52 million led by Granite Asia, with strategic backing from shipping company NYK Line. Proceeds earmarked for R&D, new robotic systems, AI-driven service platforms and expansion into 20 markets worldwide, with Japan cited as a potential key hub.
$52M source ↗
Company news item announcing a US$12 million investment in a new Singapore factory intended to drive a five-fold increase in autonomous ship hull cleanings.
$12M source ↗
Company news item on relocation to Singapore in response to rising demand for vessel cleaning.
Company news item announcing that Neptune Robotics' second workboat is operational in Singapore.
NYK Line, which has worked with Neptune since 2022, signed an MOU with Neptune Robotics and is rolling out the hull-cleaning technology across its global fleet of bulk carriers, car carriers and other vessels.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Neptune Roboticsneptune-robotics.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does AI robotics do?
- Neptune Robotics operates underwater robots that clean and inspect ship hulls at 60+ Asian ports to cut fuel use and emissions.
- Who founded AI robotics?
- AI robotics was founded by Elizabeth Chan, Zhuo Quan (Jacky) Im in 2018.
- Who are AI robotics's investors?
- AI robotics's investors include Entrepreneur First, Granite Asia, Spider Capital, Matrix, NYK Line, SOSV.
- Where is AI robotics headquartered?
- AI robotics is headquartered in Hong Kong, HK.