Fugro-NOAA collaboration to accelerate deep-sea mapping
The mysteries of the deep ocean are set to come into sharper focus as Fugro and NOAA Ocean Exploration embark on a five-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). Together, they will design and deploy remote and uncrewed technologies to advance deep-ocean mapping and characterization. This public–private partnership is designed to close critical data gaps in one of the planet’s least understood regions, supporting better decisions on offshore energy, marine resource management and national security.
The collaboration combines NOAA’s scientific and operational expertise with Fugro’s leadership in remote and uncrewed systems. Fugro will contribute its experience designing and operating uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), electric remotely operated vehicles (eROVs) and cloud-based data workflows that link offshore surface platforms and underwater systems with onshore teams in real time. These capabilities will help NOAA explore the deep ocean more efficiently and expand access to scientific data in support of its strategic priorities.
Unlocking the ocean’s potential
“NOAA Ocean Exploration is on a mission to accelerate the scope, pace and precision of ocean mapping and characterization, and this strategic partnership will help us do exactly that,” said NOAA Corps Capt. William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration. “By enabling remote operations and enhancing the use of innovative technologies, we can reduce costs and expand our reach, unlocking the ocean’s potential at a scale and speed needed to keep pace with America’s growing demands for ocean resources and information.”
“We’re entering an exciting new era of deep-ocean mapping; one where data can be collected and delivered without a single person at sea,” said Céline Gerson, Fugro’s group director for the Americas and president of Fugro USA. “Our more than 25-year collaboration with NOAA has paved the way for this progress. From introducing remote survey operations on crewed vessels to advancing fully remote, cloud-connected systems, we’re proud to help NOAA shape the future of ocean science through innovation and shared purpose.”
In the coming months, Fugro and NOAA will host joint workshops and demonstrations to launch collaborative projects. These may include new sensor technologies, digital workflows and data integration tools to support habitat mapping and marine environmental assessment. The partnership also supports NOAA’s goals in workforce development, digital infrastructure and public engagement, while helping Fugro refine its remote technologies for broader scientific use.
