Hullbot, an Australian robotics company focused on autonomous underwater hull cleaning, has closed a $16 million Series A funding round to accelerate the global expansion of its climate technology.
The capital raise is anchored by US and European investors, led by Regeneration VC, with significant participation from Climate Tech Partners, Katapult Ocean, Folklore Ventures, Trinity Ventures, Rypples, NewSouth Innovations, and Bandera Capital.
Hullbot’s technology cleans ship hulls to prevent biofouling, a major contributor to higher drag, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions in the shipping industry.
By removing fouling gently and frequently, Hullbot’s autonomous robots reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 10–26 per cent, translating into real cost savings for fleet operators and significant carbon footprint reduction.
To date, Hullbot has cleaned more than 82 vessels worldwide, completing over 1,000 cleans and preventing more than 3,600,000 kg of CO₂ emissions.
The global shipping sector, which faces mounting pressure to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions, is increasingly turning to solutions like Hullbot.
The new funding will be directed toward scaling Australian-built robotics production, developing larger robotic platforms — including the upcoming BigBot, designed to travel with vessels — and expanding Hullbot’s service hubs internationally.
Tom Loefler, CEO of Hullbot, stated: “Hullbot’s mission is to help shipping companies cut emissions, costs, and ocean impacts all at once. By scaling our service globally, we can deliver fuel savings and decarbonisation today while preparing the industry for stricter regulations tomorrow.”
Tom Kline, Co-founder of Climate Tech Partners, emphasised Hullbot’s role in the decarbonisation journey, stating: “Global shipping’s emissions are a hard to abate sector and Hullbot has positioned itself to be a global leader in this space.
“We see extraordinary potential for Hullbot to become the global standard in autonomous hull maintenance and maritime emissions reduction.”
Kline explained that their approach focuses on collaborating closely with corporate partners to deploy technologies at scale, making Hullbot an ideal fit for achieving significant emissions reductions while also lowering operating costs.
He added that they expect Hullbot’s system to become the global benchmark for ferries and shipping operators worldwide.
Industry leaders have echoed the strong performance of Hullbot’s services. NRMA Marine CEO Nell Payne affirmed: “Hullbot has delivered exceptional results for our fleet. We’ve seen a strong ROI through significant fuel savings and reduced CO2 emissions.”
Beyond operational results, Hullbot’s technological and design excellence was recognised earlier this year when it was awarded the Australian Good Design Award of the Year — the nation’s highest design accolade — over global names including Tesla, Hyundai, and Polestar.
Alongside this, Hullbot also secured Gold and Best in Class Awards for Commercial & Industrial Product Design, underscoring its innovation, scalability, and environmental impact.
Hullbot’s autonomous cleaning system not only cuts emissions but supports the use of eco-friendly, biocide-free silicone coatings, eliminating harmful toxic runoff and microplastic pollution.
Its ability to perform routine cleaning without the need for drydocking or hazardous diver intervention preserves hull coatings and extends their lifespan, all while maintaining vessel availability and safety.
This milestone funding marks the first investment from Climate Tech Partners’ new fund aimed at accelerating emissions reductions in tough-to-decarbonise sectors.
With this backing, Hullbot is set to scale rapidly, driving a cleaner, more sustainable future for the international maritime industry and its oceans.
Hullbot stands as a leading example of how advanced robotics and climate tech can work together to transform critical industries, delivering environmental benefits alongside operational efficiencies and cost savings.
Its vision for a regenerative future in shipping is rapidly becoming a global reality.