MTR100: The Ones to Watch

Based in Aberdeen, Elaine Maslin is MTR’s ‘eyes & ears’ on the ground scouting new tech for our pages. Her mandate for the MTR100 was simple: ‘find five companies to watch closely in 2019.’ This is what she found.Forssea: Leveraging Machine Learning & AIMachine learning and artificial intelligence have made a huge impact on our day to day lives, from image recognition in Facebook to cars parking for themselves.

All IOOS Regional Networks Are Now NOAA-certified

NOAA announced it has certified the last of 11 Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) regional associations as Regional Information Coordination Entities. Data coming from all IOOS partners now adheres to common federal collection, storage and management standards, meaning it can be integrated with other data, and help make "big data" research and development possible.IOOS is a coordinated network of regional associations that compile and distribute data on America’s coastal waters…

MTR100: EvoLogics in Focus

In its September/October edition, Marine Technology Reporter presented its 16th Annual "MTR100", a focus on 100 leading people, companies and technologies in the subsea space. Featured here is EvoLogics GmbH.EvoLogics GmbH is a German-based high-tech enterprise, founded in 2000 by a group of scientists and R&D experts aimed to develop key technologies for the maritime and offshore industries through interdisciplinary cooperation between engineering and life sciences.

Long Range UUV to Feature Fuel Cell Power

Cellula Robotics Ltd. announced it will develop and build a long-range unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) incorporating a fuel cell power pack and suction anchor. The UUV, known as Solus-LR, will have a target range of 2,000 km and is designed to stay submerged for multi-month missions.Cellula said it is moving forward with the project after having received approval to proceed with phase 3 of a contract by Public Services and Procurement Canada…

Allseas' Subsea Mining Ship Project is Moving Forward

Swiss-based Allseas has awarded Dutch subsea technology company Seatools the contract for the delivery of the complete electrical, hydraulic and control system for Allseas’ deep-sea mining nodule collector.Driven by the green energy transition, the interest in high-grade seafloor polymetallic nodule deposits has risen in the past few years due to the depleting terrestrial deposits for metals such as copper, nickel, manganese and cobalt.

The APAC Offshore Market: Riding the Wave of Success into 2024 and Beyond

2023 was the first year of real recovery for owners in the offshore supply market and yet we have barely skimmed the surface of what’s to come.The market is still on an upward trajectory with charter rates accelerating month-by-month, availability changing day-by-day, leading to earnings doubling and, in some segments, tripling since the lows of 2020. Current rates will remind many of the glory days of pre-2014 with the demand for OSVs projected to remain elevated for years to come.In general…

Kraken Robotics, TKMS ATLAS UK Demonstrate KATFISH USV Launch and Recovery System

Kraken Robotics Inc. announced the successful demonstration of its KATFISH Unmanned Surface Vessel Launch and Recovery System (USV-LARS) from TKMS ATLAS UK’s (ATLAS UK) 11-meter ARCIMS USV. The systems offer a comprehensive autonomous survey package for maritime security missions including mine countermeasure operations and critical underwater infrastructure inspection. Together, ARCIMS and KATFISH USV-LARS provide the industry’s first air-deployable…

New Research Vessel Ordered for Belgium

Spanish shipbuilder Freire is constructing a new oceanographic research vessel for Belgium. The IMO polar code compliant vessel will be designed to carry out research and survey tasks in the North Sea and its adjacent sea areas, but also in the Mediterranean and more northern areas.The research vessel will cater for the requirements of the Belgian marine scientific community when performing advanced marine research and education at sea – today and in the coming years.

Construction Starts on OSU's Research Ship

Construction of a new Oregon State University (OSU) bound research ship that will advance the science of coastal environments, and support research on topics such as ocean acidification, hypoxia, and sea level rise, officially began today at Gulf Island Shipyards in Louisiana.Officials from OSU the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Gulf Island Shipyards LLC gathered at the shipyard in Houma, La. for the keel-laying ceremony, marking the start of fabrication of the state-of-the art ship.

Ørsted Concludes Deepwater Wind Acquisition

Danish wind energy giant Orsted completed its previously announced takeover of Deepwater Wind from D.E. Shaw group in a deal valued at $510 million.The company closed the transaction of acquiring 100% of equity stake held by D.E. Shaw group in Deepwater Wind, which was announced in October this year, after securing approval from the US competition authorities.The new combined organization—Ørsted US…

TDI-Brooks Finalizes Report for Deepwater Atlantic Habitats II

TDI-Brooks International completed the final report for Contract M17PC00009, issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [BOEM]), titled “Deepwater Atlantic Habitats II: Continued Atlantic Research and Exploration in Deepwater Ecosystems with Focus on Coral, Canyon and Seep Communities.” This report is the final deliverable of the BOEM contract called Deep SEARCH, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey.

MBARI Names Kaya Johnson Director of Marine Operations

MBARI recently welcomed Kaya Johnson as its new director of marine operations, tasked with overseeing the institute’s seagoing assets, including three research vessels, a deep-sea cabled observatory and fleet of advanced underwater robots.Johnson comes to MBARI from Oregon State University (OSU), where he worked for the past six years. Johnson was port captain at OSU, then served as marine superintendent of ship operations.

Fugro's ROV Training Course Gets IMCA Approval

Fugro's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) introductory training course has received International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) approval in what has been described as a 'world-first endorsement.'According to Fugro, the IMCA approval ensures that only appropriately trained and competent individuals enter the ROV industry, helping to maintain high safety standards and quality services to clients."Participants…

Sea Machines Debuts AI-ris Computer Vision for Commercial Vessels

Marine perception sensor aims to provide high-def situational awareness to eliminate at-sea collisions and allisionsSea Machines Robotics unveiled AI-ris (Artificial Intelligence Recognition and Identification System), a new marine computer-vision navigation sensor designed to improve safety and performance while vessels are underway. Sea Machines’ AI-ris uses digital cameras and AI-processing to detect…

IEV Wins Subsea Pipeline Inspection Gig in Malaysia

IEV, an asset integrity services provider to the oil and gas industry, has won a contract to provide advanced inspection solutions for an oil company in Malaysia.Singapore-based IEV said Monday it had won the contract through its 49%-owned associate, IEV Malaysia.Under the contract awarded by an unnamed oil and gas producer IEV Malaysia will be providing an ultrasonic scanner technology deployed by…

Seatronics Sells Two Reusable Mine Disposal Systems to Elbit

Seatronics, a brand in Acteon’s Data and Robotics Division, has begun the final installation and commissioning phase in the first sale of two Mine Identification and Detonation Solutions (MIDS) to Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems Ltd.The MIDS is the first truly multi-shot, configurable mine disposal solution that can detonate multiple charges acoustically, using state-of-the-art technology…

Reach Subsea Charters Two Vessels Amid Increasing Demand

Norwegian company Reach Subsea has made charter agreements for two vessels to meet the increasing demand in the subsea services market.Reach Subsea has expanded its capacity by securing charters for both the Northern Maria and Olympic Taurus vessels.For the Northern Maria, the charter arrangement includes 3 years firm period and 6+6 months options.Northern Maria is a survey vessel with a 20 tons crane and sufficient accommodation and deck capacity…

Fleming to Lead VideoRay's New Defense and Government Unit

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology company VideoRay announecd the formation of a new business unit to further develop the company’s defense and government program.Mark Fleming will lead the unit as vice president, defense and government, responsible for all strategic business development and customer support.Fleming, who served in the U.S. Navy specializing in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and attained the rank of chief warrant officer five (CW5)…

National Center for Wildlife, NOC ink MoU on Marine Protection

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK’s National Oceanography Center (NOC) to establish a collaborative framework for cooperation on marine biodiversity projects. This partnership encompasses joint efforts in marine biodiversity monitoring, management of marine protected areas, and the exchange of scientific visits to enhance knowledge and biodiversity conservation.Under this MoU…

'Ultra-high-resolution 3D seismic' - Ocean Floor Geophysics Acquires NCS SubSea

Offshore survey company Ocean Floor Geophysics, in partnership with the Norwegian seismic player PGS, its largest shareholder, has signed a deal to acquire NCS SubSea, a company that provides ultra-high-resolution 3D seismic data to the oil & gas and new energy markets via its P-Cable system."With the addition of P-Cable technology, OFG now provides the broadest range of marine geophysical data technology and services available in the offshore market today…