An unmanned surface vehicle (USV), packed with hydroacoustic mapping, positioning, communication, fish finding, and oceanographic research technology is being supplied to Aker BioMarine for its operations in the Southern Ocean.
The Sounder USV has been ordered from Kongsberg Maritime to operate remotely to collect fishfinding and scientific data alongside Aker BioMarine’s krill fishing activities. This is expected to optimise fishing by identifying krill concentrations, consequently reducing time and energy lost in searching for fishing opportunities, while also supplying data to scientific work in this remote part of the world.
“With this USV we will further reduce our fuel consumption when looking for krill. Data from the USV will help our vessels navigate more efficiently, and help minimise our CO2 footprint. We chose Kongsberg Maritime because of their experience and technical expertise, and this USV represents a versatile and reliable platform to help us reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” sais Frank Grebstad, SVP Vessel Operations at Aker BioMarine.
Aker BioMarine has already invested heavily in technology contributing to sustainable and effective fishing and fishery management. In early 2020 the company launched an unmanned solar-powered ocean data drone (Sailbuoy) to collect detailed data on the krill biomass, and has now made a further key investment by ordering this specially designed USV.
Kongsberg Maritime has a history of making leading products for the hydrographic and subsea positioning industries, plus it is a leader in supplying multibeam sonars, positioning and fishfinding systems. This new agreement with Aker BioMarine will give the biotech and krill harvesting company an even greater scientific edge for their operations in Antarctica.
As part of the agreement between Kongsberg Maritime and Aker BioMarine, the companies will co-operate to further develop the USV, together with scientific advice from REV Ocean, a not-for-profit company with a mission to make the ocean healthy again.
REV Ocean will provide scientific and technical advice to the project and look for novel ways to better utilise the data from the USV in large international science programs and projects.
“This new agreement with Aker BioMarine is very exciting. The ability to collect precise data effectively from the ocean is important to make fisheries more sustainable. Further developing and advancing this technology will be invaluable in making the job of scientists easier,” said REV Ocean;s CEO Nina Jensen.
The Sounder USV is designed as a reliable platform for sensors and systems, built into the eight-metre hull developed in co-operation with Viking Norsafe AS. The USV can be remotely controlled from a shore station or mothership through Kongsberg Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR), or from further afield via satellite communications.
It is also fitted with situational awareness technology, including radar and camera systems, designed to provide it with an advanced level of autonomy.
“We’re proud to announce this contract and believe that our co-operation with Aker BioMarine has the potential to help the company substantially in their hunt to further reduce their carbon footprint,” said Kongsberg Maritime’s Area Sales Manager, Marine Robotics Atle Gran.
“Kongsberg is committed to sustainability and firmly believes that autonomous solutions such as our USVs and AUVs are key to greener maritime operations, and in helping us to learn more about the marine environment and how to interact with it in the least invasive way possible.”
