Ocean Aero Enters Partnership to Advance Maritime Research in the Red Sea

Ocean Aero, a manufacturer and service provider of ocean-going autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs), has entered a partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), one of Saudi Arabia’s pre-eminent centres of academia, research and development, and Saudi Shelf Subsea, part of the Shelf Subsea Group of companies headquartered in Perth, Australia with extensive operations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The trilateral partnership will centre on novel maritime research in the Red Sea and has several core tenets: (1) applied research on tailored payloads for Saudi-specific applications with several of the Kingdom’s maritime organizations, (2) exploration of advanced concept development utilizing existing and joint IP, and (3) continued execution of scientific services with a fleet of Ocean Aero’s TRITON AUSVs.

Advanced Hydrospatial Data Collection in the Red Sea

“We could not be happier to work alongside the oceanographers, researchers and marine scientists at KAUST”, said Kevin Decker, CEO of Ocean Aero. “By providing a platform to reach deeper into data collection in the Red Sea than ever before, we are able to do more science with fewer resources in a safe, consistent and reliable way. With Shelf Subsea’s expertise in maritime operations, we have the perfect partner to execute the launch, recovery, data processing and maintenance of the TRITON fleet”.

“Saudi Shelf Subsea Solutions is excited to be involved in bringing innovative and new technologies to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the scientific research community and major project developments along the Red Sea. The collaborative approach between key stakeholders will continue to drive technology advances, and we are proud to be working closely with KAUST and Ocean Aero on immediate and future initiatives, as well as supporting some of the key developments within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which are integral to achieving Vision 2030,” HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, chairman of Saudi Shelf Subsea Solutions, commented.

Daniel Acevedo-Feliz, director of KAUST Core Labs & Research Infrastructure, added: “In response to the UN Ocean Decade and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, KAUST is further dedicating itself to Red Sea research. This collaboration is just one of our many efforts reflecting this goal. We are very excited to have Ocean Aero as partners, as not only their vehicles, but also their shared expertise will significantly advance this project.”