Deep BV introduces zero-emission vessel for net zero surveying

Deep BV aims to achieve net zero survey data by 2030, with the help of its new initiative Deep Green Deep Hydrography and Geophysics. This new business line focuses on inland work using emission-free survey vessels, drones and vehicles. While the impact of an emission-free inland setup may be small compared to Deep BV’s overall emissions, every change starts with a small step.

Green Purple

Deep BV is pleased to introduce the Green Purple, an in-house vessel developed to support the net zero Deep Green mission. This fully electric vessel has a 12-hour operational capability and represents a new milestone in the company’s ongoing ambition in environmentally responsible surveying practices.

Technical advantages

Deep BV’s net zero ambitions focus particularly on the inland market, with applications spanning diverse fields such as construction site analysis, harbour assessment, UXO detection, quay wall inspection, asset integrity mapping and hydrographic surveys. The integration of the Green Purple, alongside unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and aerial drones, aims to facilitate emission-free survey operations. The technical advantages of electric vessels, such as reduced noise for better data quality and for the marine ecosystem and no emissions, provide a competitive edge.

In the Netherlands, an increasing number of regulations restrict the use of combustion engines in survey areas such as city centres, harbours, nature reserves, ponds and small lakes. The ongoing transformation of cities such as Amsterdam towards the exclusive adoption of electric vessels underscores the relevance of this development in contributing to sustainable urban environments.

Challenges

Deep BV is a pioneer in net zero solutions with its Deep Green initiative. However, its mission to operate net zero is not an easy one to achieve. The company expects challenges in the execution of electric surveys, mainly on the logistics side. A standard combustion engine can be fuelled whenever necessary, but electric vessels are restricted to battery capacity and charging points. This network of charging points is currently only optimized for road vehicles and not ports; issues that also apply to the electric cars used to transport the vessels to the survey location. Due to the heavy weight of the vessels, the battery power of these cars is quickly depleted, potentially necessitating frequent recharging and reducing the actual survey time.

Moving towards net zero survey operations presents commercial, operational and logistical challenges. However, Deep BV is motivated to address these obstacles and discover new, efficient ways of operating. Deep BV believes that sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a responsibility that it takes seriously. It aims to contribute to delivery of the cleanest data within the field: high-quality and net zero data for future-proof projects that minimize our impact on the environment.

More information on the vessel specifications can be found here.