France backs next-generation deep-sea glider in major boost for ocean tech sector
France is taking a significant step to expand its presence in deep-ocean exploration, awarding a major development contract to French marine technology firm Alseamar. The move marks a new phase in the country’s ambition to strengthen its scientific and industrial leadership in the rapidly growing ocean tech sector.
Following a call for proposals under the “Deep Seabed” priority of the France 2030 investment plan, Ifremer has selected Alseamar to design and develop a new deep-sea underwater glider. The project aims to advance France’s capabilities in exploring and observing one of the least understood environments on Earth – an area that now sits at the centre of global climate, biodiversity and hazard-monitoring challenges.
The initiative is funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) on behalf of the government, as part of France 2030. Ifremer will lead the effort in partnership with the CNRS and Shom, supported by a scientific user group tasked with helping define the sensor suite for the new vehicle to ensure it meets emerging research requirements.
Essential tools in ocean science
Underwater gliders have become essential tools in ocean science. These autonomous vehicles travel long distances while collecting data from physics to biology, traditionally operating to depths of around 1,000 to 1,200 metres. With deep-ocean processes playing an increasingly critical role in climate and hazard research, the scientific community is now calling for vehicles capable of descending to 3,500 metres – a gap this new platform is designed to fill.
Once the design phase is complete, the first field demonstration will take place in the Mediterranean Sea. The mission will study variations in deepwater physical and biogeochemical properties and monitor indicators of climate change. It will form part of the MOOSE National Observation Service coordinated by CNRS-INSU.
A series of longer-term deployments will then follow off the coast of Mayotte. Several prototypes will operate for one year to support research into underwater hazards associated with the Fani Maoré submarine volcano, discovered in 2019. Their data will add to measurements currently collected by Alseamar’s Seaexplorer gliders, which have been operating at depths of up to 1,250 metres since 2021 under Ifremer’s REVOSIMA monitoring network.
Long-duration monitoring
These missions will not only advance scientific knowledge in key regions but also validate the new vehicle as a robust tool for deep-ocean exploration and long-duration monitoring. Once operational, the deep-sea glider will join France’s expanding fleet of advanced underwater platforms supporting research on ocean circulation, climate impacts and seismic and volcanic risks.
Alseamar, a leading European designer and manufacturer of underwater gliders, already supplies the scientific community with vehicles capable of reaching 1,250 metres. Pushing beyond this depth involves major engineering challenges. The company will draw on its established expertise in autonomous systems and ocean data acquisition to deliver the next generation of deep-sea gliders.
The project underscores the ambitions of France 2030: to accelerate scientific understanding of the deep ocean while bolstering the development of a competitive national industry in advanced underwater technologies.
