Rijkswaterstaat strengthens inland water survey capabilities with Demcon’s latest USV
As the Netherlands steps further into a more data-driven and sustainable approach to water management, Rijkswaterstaat – the national body responsible for managing key infrastructure – has reached an important milestone. The organization has officially received its first DUS V1875 uncrewed survey vessel (USV), named REMO 1, from Demcon unmanned systems, showcased during a dedicated handover event featuring a live demonstration of its autonomous capabilities.
Rijkswaterstaat, the executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management responsible for the country’s major waterways, roads and flood defences, sees the vessel as a significant step forward. CIO Ron Kolkman of Rijkswaterstaat emphasized that the collaboration between the various parties went very well: “It’s impressive to see how we were able to realize this vessel in about a year. The USV is a great Dutch product to be proud of.”
USV designed for difficult-to-access waters
Developed and manufactured in the Netherlands, the DUS V1875 sets a new benchmark for autonomous hydrographic surveying in inland waters. Its compact, fully electric design enables rapid deployment in locations that are difficult or unsafe to survey with traditional vessels. “The delivery marks an important step towards further automation and sustainability in water management,” said Fedor Ester, managing director of Demcon unmanned systems.
The USV is engineered with careful attention to operational safety, reliability and minimal environmental impact. Its zero emission electric propulsion aligns with Rijkswaterstaat’s sustainability ambitions, while redundant systems and advanced features, including automatic collision avoidance and dynamic positioning, provide precise and dependable autonomous navigation, even beyond the operator’s direct line of sight.
Demonstration and next steps
During the event, Rijkswaterstaat and Demcon unmanned systems demonstrated the DUS V1875 on the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal. Launched from the vessel Flevomeer, the USV conducted an extensive demonstration as guests followed live camera feeds and expert explanations of its measurement systems and capabilities. The event closed with a symbolic handover and a celebratory toast.
Director of the Rijksrederij, Willem de Vries: “This vessel is an example of how we can integrate modern technologies into our fleet. The delivery of this USV marks a new way of thinking about how we can provide services for our clients as innovatively and sustainably as possible.”
