Kongsberg equips new Dutch ocean research vessel with advanced marine technology
Kongsberg has completed the delivery of a comprehensive package of advanced ocean science and navigation technologies for RV Anna Weber-van Bosse, the new ocean research vessel owned and operated by the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). The 80-metre vessel, christened on the island of Texel in early March, is now fully operational and equipped to support high-precision marine research at sea.
The package includes HiPAP acoustic positioning systems, EM304 and EM2040 multibeam echosounders, TOPAS sub-bottom profiling technology, advanced echosounders for water column observation, and Seapath inertial navigation systems.
Together, these solutions deliver high-resolution data and operational stability, helping scientists conduct vital research into climate change, ocean circulation, marine biodiversity, and more – work with relevance extending well beyond the scientific community, into policy and the broader blue economy.
“RV Anna Weber-van Bosse marks a step-change in the ability of NIOZ to undertake research that pushes the envelope of ocean understanding,” comments Stene Førsund, vice president sales, Discovery division at Kongsberg. “Naturally, we’re delighted to be on board as a trusted technology partner.
“Our solutions will work together to enable everything from mapping the deep seafloor to analysing geological structures beneath it, while ensuring researchers can accurately track complex ocean processes and environmental change. The fact that multiple, high quality data sets can be collected simultaneously will provide not only richer insights, but also more efficient, cost effective and sustainable operations. It’s a powerful proposition for a truly landmark vessel.”
Floating laboratory
Designed as a floating laboratory, RV Anna Weber-van Bosse can accommodate up to 30 scientists and is built to operate anywhere from tropical waters to the edges of the Arctic ice. With its sophisticated sensor suite, underwater robotics capability and real-time data connections, the vessel gives researchers an unprecedented level of accuracy in observing and analysing ocean processes. In making this possible, Kongsberg plays a central role.
The Norwegian-headquartered company's technology allows the team to piece together a complete picture of the ocean environment, bringing bathymetric mapping, geological imaging and acoustic sensing together in a single mission workflow. Meanwhile, its advanced inertial navigation systems ensure that data can be gathered with precision, confidence and safety, even under the most demanding conditions.
Optimal scientific and operational tools
Speaking of the new vessel, Gert-Jan Reichart, department head ocean research at NIOZ, comments: “The arrival of RV Anna Weber-van Bosse could not be more timely. Our precious ocean environments are undergoing unparalleled changes and there is a pressing need to investigate and truly understand those developments. This vessel provides the platform to do just that.”
“With that in mind, it was imperative to equip it with the optimal scientific and operational tools for the crucial job at hand. With Kongsberg Discovery’s solutions we are confident that is exactly what we have. I believe we have decades of exciting voyages, and discoveries, ahead on the horizon.”
The vessel's launch comes at a symbolic moment for NIOZ, which marks 150 years of operations this year. Its name honours Anna Weber-van Bosse (1852–1942), a pioneering marine biologist, and it takes over from RV Pelagia, the institute's previous research ship.
Earlier this year, Hydro International spoke with Gert-Jan Reichart, which resulted in this insightful article.
