Jan De Nul and Maritime Robotics Unveil Vaquita 04 in Dubai

7 February 2025

The Otter Vaquita 04 being prepared in Dubai. (Image credit: Jan De Nul)

Maritime Robotics has strengthened its partnership with Jan De Nul by delivering an advanced Otter uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to Dubai. The vessel, named Vaquita 04, is in Jebel Ali conducting hydrographic surveys for dredging and coastal development projects.

“Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of our partnership with Jan De Nul. Vaquita 04 exemplifies how advanced USV technology is transforming surveying efficiency and accuracy in the marine sector,” said Sebastian Minfjord, Service Manager at Maritime Robotics.

A Rewarding Experience

“Working with Jan De Nul is always a rewarding experience. Their expertise in maritime technology and forward-thinking approach makes them an ideal partner in advancing the future of marine surveying,” commented Ingebrigt Stamnes Reinsborg, Service Engineer at Maritime Robotics.

Dubai is renowned for its ambitious infrastructure projects, including the Palm Jebel Ali, a massive artificial archipelago initially initiated in 2002 and relaunched in 2024. This development requires precise surveying to overcome construction challenges, particularly in shallow waters between the “palm leaves”, where traditional methods are less effective. Vaquita 04, a customized Otter USV, is specifically designed to meet these demands.

The Vaquita 04 in its cradle in Dubai, getting ready for deployment into the water. (Image credit: Jan De Nul)

“The Maritime Robotics Otter platform helps us reach survey areas where it is too dangerous to use a conventional survey vessel. By using Otter USVs, we want to provide a safer and greener survey method for our personnel and the environment. The successes of the units on our projects worldwide have recently resulted in further investments with the purchase of the Vaquita 05–07. We look forward to our further collaboration with Maritime Robotics to keep on pushing the boundaries and explore the innovations in uncrewed surface vehicles,” added Nils Lowie, Senior Engineer Technical Survey MARED.

Equipped with a multibeam echosounder and a winch SVP (Sound Velocity Profiler), the Vaquita 04 collects crucial bathymetric data for various applications, including dredging, land reclamation, beach profiling, and sand placement. The data is used to analyze the bathymetric situation before, during, and after the work, enabling more accurate planning and execution while minimizing environmental impact.