1 . Tell us about Fugro’s lineup of uncrewed systems designed to deliver leaner, greener at-sea operations
Fugro has created a sophisticated eco- system of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) aimed at making marine operations more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly. Our fleet includes the Blue Shadow®, Blue Essence®, and Blue Eclipse® USVs, each equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems. These perform tasks such as seabed mapping, subsea inspections, and geophysical surveys with minimal environmental impact compared to more traditional ways of working. We can con- duct entire survey scopes without sending any personnel offshore, significantly reducing carbon emissions and enhancing operational safety.
We operate these USVs remotely from our global network of Remote Operations Centers (ROCs). Since we use this central approach in our data management and vehicle operation, we are able to optimize our resource allocation and streamline our operations. In short, the different aspects of our USVs each bring their particular innovation to the table to make our sea operations smarter and greener.
2. In what sectors or regions do you envision the application of uncrewed vehicles likely to have the most impact?
For us, I see the scalable application of uncrewed vehicles having the most impact in sectors such as offshore energy, infra- structure development, and environmental monitoring. In the offshore energy sector, USVs can efficiently perform seabed map- ping and subsea inspections, which are crucial for the installation and maintenance of offshore wind turbines and pipelines. In infrastructure development, USVs provide detailed Geo-data which supports the planning and construction of marine projects. Additionally, in environmental monitoring, USVs can collect high-resolution data to assess and manage marine eco- systems, contributing to sustainable ocean management. In all these sectors the USVs can bring in this very important data in a much more efficient way than traditional vessels.
There are many projects standing out for me, both in the past and in the future. Our current project for Petrobras in Brazil is a perfect example of the expansion of our USV operations. During this project we have used our USV Blue Essence® and our Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV). This marks it as Fugro’s first use of these innovations in the Americas region, after successfully applying it in Australia, the Middle East, and Europe. I see all these regions expanding in their use of this technology as it is a much quicker and safer way of collecting the necessary data.
3. What is Fugro currently doing to develop the next itera- tion of autonomous operations for uncrewed vehicles?
Our innovation teams are constantly developing autonomous algorithms and vehicle functionality to further transition from remotely operated to autonomously operated assets. We are integrating cut- ting-edge technologies such as automated and remote-controlled Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) for deploying ancillary assets from USVs, as well as developing advanced eROVs like the Blue Volta® and Blue Amp®. These eROVs enhance Fugro’s capability to perform detailed subsea inspections and interventions.
Our current fleet is always being updated, taking into account what our clients need. The Blue Eclipse® is an example of this. The USV is 18 meters long, so pretty big for a remotely controlled vessel. This vessel can cope with even rougher sea conditions, can operate for longer, and can deploy an eROV to greater depths.
Another aspect that is super connected to the development of our remote work is the availability of the gathered data. The focus on real-time data transmission and cloud-based data management platforms like VirGeo® ensures clients have immediate access to survey results, improving efficiency and decision-making. By combining our innovations, we bring the whole data process together and provide our clients with start-to-finish service.
4. Tell us about the future. What are Fugro’s long-term expansion plans for its uncrewed vehicle fleet?
Fugro’s long-term expansion plans for its uncrewed fleet involve pushing the boundaries of remote and autonomous technology. We aim to enhance our fleet with emerging technologies such as under- water lidar and hyperspectral imaging, which will enable the capture of detailed subsurface data and comprehensive environmental assessments. We also have a very exciting innovation coming your way, marking the most significant development in marine geo-physics in the last few decades.
Another very important part of our long- term plans is our commitment to sustain- ability. This is reflected in our Net-Zero roadmap, where we are aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2035 for Fugro’s operations. The uncrewed fleet is a prime example of how we are achieving this decrease in emissions. By continuously innovating and expanding its uncrewed fleet, Fugro strives to lead the industry in safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly marine operations.
5. How is the advent of uncrewed marine systems reshaping professional development and training?
The introduction of uncrewed marine systems has truly transformed this industry and the way of working for Fugro. While there are significant changes, most of the skill sets in the conventional marine and offshore survey industry flow well into a remote career with uncrewed vessels and equipment. This combines with the new skill sets we need in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting these advanced technologies. This includes expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, communication, and data analysis.
The professional development and training for these new skill sets are interdisciplinary, combining elements of marine engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity. This holistic approach ensures professionals are well-equipped to handle the complexities of uncrewed systems and additionally allows for mixed trade training courses. For Fugro, this means mariners, surveyors, and ROV pilots all attend the same course. At Fugro, we think this competency transition is manageable as an evolution of our existing training schemes rather than a complete reshape.
One recent addition to our development and training programs is the use of sophisticated simulators. These simulators can replicate various scenarios uncrewed systems might encounter, providing hands-on experience without the risks associated with real-world operations. Technology innovations bring us great advancement in the work we can do with our USVs, and we need to keep up with those changes in our professional development. Continuous learning is so important with the rapid pace of technological advancements, professionals must stay updated with the latest developments in uncrewed systems to remain effective in their roles.
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This story was originally featured in ON&T Magazine’s October/November 2024 issue. Click here to read more.
