Fugro partners with Sea-Kit International to develop USVs
Fugro and Sea-Kit will cooperate to develop USVs for offshore assistance with ROVs or AUVs (Source: Sea-Kit)
Dutch offshore data/survey group Fugro and maritime technology group Sea-Kit have agreed cooperation to develop a new range of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). The vessels will in turn operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for inspections of offshore installations. The first USV will be launched before the end of this year, and a larger model is being designed for delivery in 2021.
These inspection USVs are being developed alongside Fugro’s range of USVs for hydrographic data acquisition. In addition to investing in USVs and remotely operated vehicles, Fugro has built a global network of seven remote operations centres to deliver fast, safe and efficient inspection and positioning services, including two new remote operations centres in Aberdeen, Scotland, and Leidschendam in the Netherlands, both opened in 2019. By the end of 2020, Fugro will provide offshore subsea inspections via USVs and ROVs which are operated from onshore remote operations centres.
Sea-Kit's unmanned vessel product portfolio are long-range, ocean-capable USVs with a range of over 10,000 nautical miles. Basic SEA-KIT™ has been designed as a modular vessel in order to be configured for a wide range of maritime tasks and vessels can be modified or built to suit any mission.
The new range of USVs will consume up to 95% less fuel than traditional vessels, supporting international ambitions for zero global emissions in the marine industry.
