The Blue Eclipse, the largest USV in Fugro’s fleet, will survey over 675 km² region in the North Sea, with water depths ranging from 90 to 250 meters. Equipped with advanced high-resolution, high-density multibeam echo sounders and sub-bottom data acquisition systems, the USV will gather comprehensive datasets, including bathymetry, water column data, acoustic backscatter data, and sub-bottom profiler data to understand the seabed’s topography and geology.
A key advantage of using the Blue Eclipse is its significantly reduced fuel consumption—up to 90 % less than traditional survey vessels—directly contributing to more sustainable operations. Controlled remotely from Fugro’s remote operations center in Aberdeen, the USV’s long endurance and real-time data transfer capabilities will ensure efficient operations and reduce potential delays in the challenging North Sea environment, factors crucial for the success of the MAREANO program.
Helge Welde, Chief Engineer at the Norwegian Mapping Authority, Hydrographic Service said: “The MAREANO program wants to accelerate the shift towards lower carbon emissions in seabed mapping. Use of USVs is one way to achieve this goal. Experiences from this year’s seabed mapping with USV technology will give us direction for opportunities in future surveys.”
Nick Simmons, Fugro’s USV Services Director, said: “This award marks a significant milestone for Fugro and the commercial debut of our advanced Blue Eclipse® USV. The NHS’s decision, following a thorough evaluation process, highlights our technical capabilities, operational strategy, and commitment to knowledge sharing. We are confident that the Blue Eclipse® and our expert team will deliver high-quality results for this important environmental mapping program.”
Fugro has a well-established history of supporting the MAREANO program since 2006, having acquired over 147,000 km² of data to date. This latest contract further demonstrates Fugro’s ongoing leadership in the development and application of uncrewed vessel technology for marine surveys, contributing to more sustainable and efficient data acquisition practices.
