Samsung Develops Hull Cleaning Robot

Samsung Heavy Industries has developed a hull cleaning robot that will be used to remove fouling on LNG carriers under construction. This will prevent the expensive re-docking normally required before delivering such ships which take eight months to build.

"The underwater hull-cleaning robots are able to remove organic matter at anchor, so the re-docking is unnecessary," SHI said. "Therefore, we can save time and cost of undergoing re-docking process and build more vessels instead."

The robot uses sensors to navigate safely around the hull and has a filter system to collect the fouling removed. The company has completed a pilot test of the robot and anticipates it will be in operation next month on ships ready for delivery.