Case
New robotic technology for proactive cleaning of ships.
A completely new innovation for keeping the hulls of large vessels free from fouling. With Knightec Group as a technology partner, Jotun, the world leader in marine coatings, is contributing to reduced emissions and healthier oceans through its revolutionary Hull Skating Solutions (HSS).
ClientJotun
IndustryOther
ServicesSoftware & Cloud
Originally delivered by Semcon, now part of Knightec Group.
Background
One part of HSS is the Jotun HullSkater, a remotely operated vehicle that inspects the hull underwater and keeps the hull free from fouling. The vehicle is specially developed for the inspection and preventive cleaning of vessels in challenging conditions. It is always on board the vessel, ready to do its job whenever the ship is idle. This provides shipping companies with increased operational flexibility as well as a smaller environmental footprint.
Challenge
The challenge was to address the impact of hull fouling, which increases fuel consumption, emissions, and operational costs in the shipping industry. At the same time, the solution needed to enable effective cleaning in harsh underwater conditions and shift from reactive, manual maintenance to a proactive and continuous approach without disrupting vessel operations.
Reducing emissions and costs with proactive hull cleaning.
Jotun’s HullSkater enables proactive hull cleaning that can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 22,000 tonnes (12.5%) over five years for a typical bulk carrier—equivalent to cost savings of around USD 4 million. The solution also helps limit the spread of invasive aquatic species between ports.
Knightec Group has supported the development from early concept to finished system, contributing across feasibility studies, mechanical and software design, electronics, and testing. The HullSkater is a remotely operated robotic system with magnetic wheels, cameras, and real-time data analysis, enabling precise inspection and cleaning of ship hulls in 2–8 hours. Developed together with partners including Kongsberg, DNV and Telenor, the solution represents a major step towards more sustainable and efficient maritime operations.
Delivered Value
The solution creates value by reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions while increasing operational efficiency. Preventing hull fouling minimizes the need for manual intervention and costly downtime, leading to significant cost savings and a more sustainable shipping operation.
