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Marine

Fugro secures two contracts to support Brazil’s offshore energy expansion

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Fugro has signed two three-year contracts with offshore energy services company Constellation to support responsible deepwater exploration activities in two of Brazil’s most strategically important regions: the mature Campos Basin and the emerging Equatorial Margin.

The contracts come as Brazil works to strengthen its long-term energy security by developing its domestic oil and gas resources as a strategic bridge to low-carbon developments.

Fugro’s work will involve deploying advanced remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) aboard Constellation-managed vessels to carry out subsea equipment inspections, interventions and a range of observation and survey activities. [Read more…] about Fugro secures two contracts to support Brazil’s offshore energy expansion

Ocean Infinity launches ‘NeedleFish’ uncrewed surface vessel in Kuwait

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Advanced technology and marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has successfully launched its innovative NeedleFish Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) at an official event with the Kuwaiti Coast Guard (KCG).

Initiated as part of Kuwait’s new national integrated maritime surveillance system being delivered by SRT Marine Systems, the NeedleFish by Ocean Infinity is a custom-equipped unmanned vessel.

It features an array of specialist maritime surveillance sensor systems and leverages Ocean Infinity’s software, advanced robotics, and marine intelligence technology. [Read more…] about Ocean Infinity launches ‘NeedleFish’ uncrewed surface vessel in Kuwait

Underwater robots take to the deep to map unexplored oceans

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Autonomous underwater robots from the University of Sydney supported an Australian Museum scientific expedition mapping unexplored reefs around Norfolk Island.

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) from the University of Sydney has taken a deep dive in the oceans surrounding Norfolk Island on an scientific expedition to document previously unexplored reefs.

The robots collected high-resolution seafloor images which will then be used to create three-dimensional underwater models of these unique reef ecosystems and marine habitats. [Read more…] about Underwater robots take to the deep to map unexplored oceans

Terradepth and EIVA partner to automate subsea data collection and cloud delivery

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EIVA and Terradepth have partnered to streamline subsea data workflows by integrating Terradepth’s Absolute Ocean platform with EIVA’s NaviSuite software.

This collaboration automates the entire subsea-to-client data workflow, providing expert insight to non-expert users, enabling faster decisions, immediate access, and dramatically reduced turnaround times.

The integration of these two leading software platforms allows collected subsea data to flow directly into Absolute Ocean after being automatically processed via NaviSuite. [Read more…] about Terradepth and EIVA partner to automate subsea data collection and cloud delivery

Saildrone and Meta complete first unmanned, autonomous deep-water route survey in the North Atlantic

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In a first-of-its-kind demonstration mission, Saildrone, in partnership with Meta, parent company of Facebook, have successfully completed a deep-water cable route survey in the North Atlantic using the Saildrone Surveyor, a 20-meter uncrewed surface vehicle (USV).

This innovative project represents a major milestone in the evolution of ocean survey technology, proving that autonomous platforms can deliver data quality and performance on par with traditional crewed survey vessels – while dramatically reducing risk and cost.

During the 26-day survey conducted in June and July 2024, the Saildrone Surveyor mapped more than 4,500 km of seabed, including complex topographies and challenging conditions, without a port call or outside assistance. [Read more…] about Saildrone and Meta complete first unmanned, autonomous deep-water route survey in the North Atlantic

Underwater drones reveal coral loss at one of the world’s southernmost reefs

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Advanced Navigation, a specialist in navigation and autonomous systems, in collaboration with marine consultancy O2 Marine, has revealed an explicit visual depiction of Hall Bank – a small, nearshore reef off Fremantle in south-west Australia (32°S), located well beyond the typical latitudinal range for coral reefs.

Using Hydrus, a micro hovering autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), the teams conducted a detailed survey of the reef, capturing geo-referenced high-resolution imagery and 4K video in parallel.

The data showed severe coral bleaching and fragmentation, laying bare a hidden yet escalating crisis at one of the world’s southernmost reefs. [Read more…] about Underwater drones reveal coral loss at one of the world’s southernmost reefs

Robo-oceanographers: The next wave of automated solutions tackling marine pollution

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Fleets of bio-inspired robots and cutting-edge automation are gearing up to address the ocean’s plastic plague and chemical contaminants, with nature’s own microscopic powerhouses offering a complementary strategy.

The challenge of ocean pollution is vast, a tidal wave of plastics, chemical effluents, and debris threatening marine ecosystems and, ultimately, human health. Traditional cleanup methods, while valuable, often struggle with the scale and complexity of the problem.

But a new generation of innovators is looking to robotics and automation, drawing inspiration from nature itself, to turn the tide.

From nimble robotic fish targeting microplastics to autonomous surface vessels scooping up debris, the future of ocean cleanup is looking increasingly automated, with intriguing possibilities for commercial deployment. [Read more…] about Robo-oceanographers: The next wave of automated solutions tackling marine pollution

SeaRenergy and Tethys Robotics partner to develop autonomous subsea inspection services

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Tethys Robotics, a Swiss marine robotics company, has agreed a strategic partnership with SeaRenergy, an offshore service provider known for its expertise in complex subsea operations throughout Europe.

With a strong presence in offshore wind and a proven ability to execute demanding marine projects, SeaRenergy brings valuable operational insight and reach to the collaboration.

By combining their capabilities with Tethys Robotics’ advanced inspection technology, the partnership sets the stage for a new level of performance in subsea inspection services. [Read more…] about SeaRenergy and Tethys Robotics partner to develop autonomous subsea inspection services

Saildrone closes $60 million financing to ‘bring maritime autonomy to Europe’

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Saildrone, a developer of maritime autonomy systems, has closed a $60 million investment round led by EIFO, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark.

The investment will be used to bring Saildrone technology to Europe to address the urgent need for maritime security for critical infrastructure and wider defense applications.

The Baltic, North Sea, and European Arctic waters are currently facing unprecedented threats, and the need for persistent maritime domain awareness has never been greater. [Read more…] about Saildrone closes $60 million financing to ‘bring maritime autonomy to Europe’

Designing for Depth: Overcoming Engineering Challenges in Subsea Habitats

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As humanity ventures further into the oceans, the concept of living and working beneath the waves has evolved from science fiction to tangible reality.

Subsea habitats – pressurized structures that allow humans to live and conduct research underwater for extended periods – present unique engineering challenges that demand innovation across materials science, structural design, environmental control, and human factors.

Designing these habitats requires a multidisciplinary approach that can withstand immense pressure, guarantee safety, and enable long-term occupancy in one of the planet’s most hostile environments. [Read more…] about Designing for Depth: Overcoming Engineering Challenges in Subsea Habitats