Neptune Robotics | ROV Underwater Hull Cleaning

Neptune Robotics builds AI-powered robotic and biofouling management system to reduce ship fuel consumption and carbon emission to achieve Net Zero in 2050.

ROV Technology Assists Ship Cleaning Services to Upgrade Efficiency

With the rapid development of the shipping industry, the hull fouling problem of large ships is becoming more and more serious, which not only reduces the navigation efficiency of ships, but also affects the marine environment. Therefore, regular hull cleaning of ships has become a necessary task for shipping companies. As an efficient and environmentally friendly cleaning technology, ROV underwater robots are gradually changing the traditional manual diving cleaning mode and providing higher quality cleaning services for ships.

ROV Technology Breaks Through Traditional Cleaning Bottlenecks to Meet Diverse Cleaning Needs

Large ships that have been suspended and operating at sea for a long time are prone to marine organism attachment fouling and anti-fouling coating degradation on the hull surface, which seriously affects the operating efficiency and safety of the ships. In the past, shipping companies mainly relied on manual diving to carry out cleaning work, but due to depth, working time and other restrictions, the quality and efficiency of cleaning are difficult to guarantee.

ROV underwater robots, in conjunction with hydraulic jetting and rotating brush heads, can easily access any part of the hull for delicate cleaning. The camera equipped with the ROV can transmit the cleaning process in real time to the control console, and the operator can remotely and precisely control every move of the ROV. Compared with divers, ROVs have longer working hours and more delicate cleaning. While ensuring cleaning quality, the cleaning cycle is greatly shortened, reducing berthing costs.

In addition, ROVs can be equipped with different cleaning devices, such as brushes, water picks, high-pressure water guns, etc. This enables them to effectively remove different types of fouling, from hard marine organism shells to soft fouling compounds. ROVs can also adjust the cleaning intensity for different types of hull coatings and locations to avoid damage to the coatings.

Programmable and Remote Control Systems Enhance ROV Cleaning Flexibility

The ROV underwater robot system is guaranteed by both programmable control systems and remote control systems. In cleaning tasks with complex hull structures and fragile areas, the ROV can work in pre-programmed mode, following preset routes and methods to avoid damage caused by improper operation.

For delicate cleaning of localized areas requiring precision operation, remote control mode plays a critical role. The operator can manually control the thruster position and water pressure for localized precision derusting. Remote control mode also enables the ROV to respond to contingencies encountered during cleaning, such as cleaning damaged areas on the hull.

With this dual control mode, ROVs can balance the needs for automation efficiency and flexibility, greatly expanding its scope of application and becoming an excellent partner for shipping companies' cleaning work.

Digital Management Improves Cleaning Process Monitoring

ROV underwater robot systems are equipped with multiple sets of HD cameras and sensors to record the cleaning process in full perspective. Optical and sonar equipment can generate a 3D structural model of the underwater part of the hull for cleaning planning. The on-board cameras on the ROV during cleaning can transmit the hull condition back to the control console in real time. The two-way video recording system ensures complete data recording of the cleaning process, providing basis for quality management and dispute resolution.

Through digital management, not only can the entire work process be supervised to ensure work quality, but the cleaning effects can also be evaluated to provide reference for follow-up maintenance. For example, the improvement in sailing efficiency after cleaning can be assessed by comparing the hull resistance before and after cleaning.

Digital data also enables remote supervision. Customers can view work progress and remotely request operational adjustments to fully grasp project progress anytime without being on site. In the future, data-driven management can be combined with predictive analytics to achieve self-maintenance and optimization of hulls.

ROVs Reduce Human Risks and Improve Cleaning Safety

Compared with traditional manual diving cleaning, ROV underwater robots do not require any diving operation, greatly reducing the health and safety risks of cleaning personnel. At the same time, remote control reduces the number of operators required, lowering the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

When ROVs perform delicate derusting, the generated fouling debris can be recovered and purified using a collection system. In contrast, manual cleaning produces large amounts of suspended fouling. ROVs can enclose or reduce the spread of suspended fouling, reducing pollution to the surrounding waters.

When ships are docked in busy or ecologically fragile waters, ROVs can operate fully enclosed underwater to avoid suspended fouling and noise disturbances to port operations and marine life. Their electric propulsion systems make the equipment very quiet, while traditional high-pressure water jet cleaning is noisier.

Multiple protective measures ensure safe ROV operation in complex environments. Therefore, ROV cleaning is undoubtedly more environmentally friendly and reduces impact on the environment and ecosystem.

ROV Cleaning Systems, Efficient and Green Solutions

Compared with traditional manual cleaning, ROVs provide a more efficient, flexible and green solution. It significantly improves cleaning efficiency, reduces berthing costs, and also enables delicate cleaning to help restore ship performance. Strict workflows and digital management ensure controllable service quality and safety compliance.

As control algorithms and equipment upgrades continue to improve, ROV cleaning efficiency will further increase. We are developing modular and customizable ROV solutions to meet individual needs of shipping companies. In the future, autonomous ROVs are expected to achieve unmanned intelligent cleaning.

ROV technology is bringing about a major transformation of ship cleaning services, upgrading traditional cleaning modes to the intelligent era. We will continue to innovate technology and systems to continuously provide customers with high-quality, efficient and green ROV cleaning services. It is believed that in the near future, ROVs will become the best partner and standard configuration for ship hull cleaning.