Vard lands deal for eight robotic vessels
Artist’s impression of the robotic vessel (Source: Vard)
Fincantieri subsidiary, Vard, is to build eight highly automated multi-purpose vessels for Texas-based marine robotics company, Ocean Infinity, a specialist in hydrographic and geophysical underwater surveys. The shipbuilder’s Vard Vung Tau yard in Vietnam will construct the vessels for delivery in 2022-23.
Vard has developed the design together with its client to produce a 78m-long multi-purpose platform design, Vard 9 60. The eight vessels will incorporate fuel cells as well as the necessary components to convert easily to green ammonia as fuel sometime in the future.
The ships will be capable of remote control from shore, either unmanned or with light crews. Vard Electro will supply SeaQ Integrated Automation and SeaQ Power Management Systems to facilitate remote operations and ensure cyber-secure communications.
The eight ships will join Ocean Infinity’s new Armada fleet in which vessels incorporate some of the latest sustainability features and marine robotics including autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated surface vessels.
