In a major leap toward smarter and greener shipping, COSCO SHIPPING (Qingdao) has officially launched its independently developed intelligent cargo hold cleaning robot — the “Hold Cleaning Elf.” Designed specifically for bulk carriers, this compact and highly efficient robot marks a revolutionary step toward automation and digitalization in ship cleaning.
Key Highlights:
Compact and Efficient: Weighing under 70kg and measuring 700×440×780mm, it’s easy to deploy and remotely operate at speeds up to 12 /min.
Safety and Sustainability: Magnetic adsorption technology eliminates high-risk manual operations. Eco-friendly cleaning minimizes chemical usage, protecting hull coatings and the marine environment.
Superior Adaptability: With strong obstacle-crossing capability, it handles complex surfaces like corrugated and stiffened bulkheads, achieving over 95% cleaning coverage.
High Cleaning Performance: Rated up to 900 m²/hour, with a powerful low-pressure water jet reaching beyond 20 meters — cutting operation time by up to 50%.
Cost-Effective: Requires only 1–2 operators, reducing labor input, minimizing risks, and accelerating ship turnaround.
Future-Ready: Upcoming upgrades will integrate AI, big data analytics, and visual recognition for smarter, adaptive cleaning strategies.
As part of COSCO SHIPPING’s broader strategy to build a world-class shipping technology enterprise, the “Hold Cleaning Elf” represents a major milestone in green, intelligent maritime innovation.
COSCO SHIPPING (Qingdao) is also developing a complete lineup of smart ship robots — from underwater cleaning robots to inspection and rescue robots — powering the transformation toward smarter vessels and ports.
A new era of intelligent, safe, and sustainable ship operations begins — with the “Hold Cleaning Elf.”
