Fugro has teamed with maritime solutions developer SEA-KIT International to develop a new family of compact unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) which can deploy remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for marine asset inspections. This new range is being developed concurrently with another Fugro USV range for hydrographic data acquisition.
Fugro has built a global network of seven remote operations centres (ROCs) to deliver fast, safe and efficient inspection and positioning services, the newest of which are located in Aberdeen, Scotland, and Leidschendam, the Netherlands. The company claims that it will be the first in the world to provide offshore subsea inspections via USVs and ROVs that are operated from onshore ROCs.
Fugro and SEA-KIT International will accelerate the development and use of USVs, remotely operated from Fugro’s ROCs, to improve safety and efficiency, as well as reduce the environmental impact on marine activities. The new range of USVs will consume up to 95% less fuel than traditional vessels, supporting international targets for zero global emissions in the marine industry.
Mark Heine, Chief Executive Officer at Fugro, commented: “We are excited to be partnering with SEA-KIT International to develop a range of USVs that will transform the marine industry. Together with other strategic alliances, this partnership represents a major acceleration to our strategy of leading the development of remote and autonomous solutions, which is key to delivering a safer and more sustainable approach to constructing and maintaining marine assets.”
Ben Simpson, Managing Director of SEA-KIT International, stated: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Fugro, which will combine our design and build expertise with Fugro’s track record in the marine inspection market. Together we can push for better sustainability in the marine industry and lead the way for others to follow.”
