MAREANO adopts USV technology for North Sea survey

MAREANO is entering new territory this year as it prepares to use an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) for large-scale seabed mapping for the first time. In August, Fugro will send its largest USV to the North Sea, where it will cover an area of 675km² as part of the MAREANO programme. “This is pioneering work – not just for the seabed mapping programme MAREANO,” said Helge Welde, chief engineer at the Norwegian Mapping Authority, Hydrographic Service. “It is probably the first time that we in Norway are surveying on this scale with USV technology.”

The year 2025 marks MAREANO’s 20th anniversary as well as the first time that the seabed mapping programme will collect seabed data using uncrewed vessels. Fugro was awarded the contract following an open tender competition, and their new USV – the Blue Eclipse – is scheduled to set course for the North Sea in August.

Wide range of data types

At 18 metres in length, the Blue Eclipse is the largest USV in Fugro’s fleet and comes equipped with advanced high-resolution, high-density multibeam echosounders and sub-bottom data acquisition systems. It will collect a wide range of data types, including bathymetry, water column data, acoustic backscatter data and sub-bottom profiler data to provide a detailed understanding of the seabed’s topography and geology. Nick Simmons, Fugro’s USV services director, emphasized the significance of this deployment, saying: “Bringing our advanced Blue Eclipse USV to the MAREANO 2025 programme is a significant step, highlighting the practical application of uncrewed vessel technology for large-scale mapping projects. This initiative allows us to deliver the high-resolution, comprehensive seabed data that MAREANO requires, while reducing the environmental impact of surveys.”

The USV is expected to cover over 675km² in the North Sea, with water depths ranging from 90 to 250 metres. The areas to be surveyed are located in three priority blocks beyond the territorial border.

Tender process

The open call for tenders for seabed mapping with USV technology in the North Sea was published in January 2025, with a submission deadline of 24 February. Six suppliers submitted tenders, and the contract was ultimately awarded to Fugro. The published value of the contract is 6,000,000 NOK, with an option for an additional 10,000,000 NOK. An option worth 1,100,000 NOK has already been activated to extend the mapping area towards Skagerrak. Tenders were evaluated based on a combination of price (30%), quality and ability (50%), and competence transfer (20%).

This procurement process also serves a broader purpose. According to Helge Welde, it will help MAREANO shape future specifications and award criteria that address climate and environmental considerations. “MAREANO wants to accelerate the shift towards lower carbon emissions in seabed mapping. Use of USVs is one way to achieve this goal,” he noted. He added that the experience gained from this year’s project will inform future efforts: “It is natural to assume that traditional survey vessels with crew will be relevant in future surveys, especially considering that MAREANO also needs to map inaccessible areas, such as the deep sea in the Norwegian Sea.”