Global subsea services company, Modus Subsea Services Ltd has been awarded a contract to perform survey services in connection with a new cable corridor requirement in Ofotfjorden, northern Norway. The campaign will use the Modus Hybrid AUV (HAUV) system which represents the very latest in merged ROV and AUV technology.

Leading underwater technology developer SMD has announced the development of a new Nodule Collection solution. The QC2000 Nodule Collector concept has been developed by SMD to maximise productivity and minimise impact to the seabed and the surrounding environment. This has been achieved by using SMD’s 50 years of experience in how to cut, move and collect soils, combined with deep water systems expertise. These insights and know-how have been developed and proven over many years in the Minerals, Telecoms, Power Cable and Deep Water intervention markets.

Energy, defence and science technology company Sonardyne has launched a new, entirely portable configuration of its shallow water Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system Micro-Ranger 2.

Tethys Robotics is an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) developer founded by Christian Engler and fellow pioneering ETH Zurich students in 2019. Tethys aims to push boundaries for underwater exploration in Switzerland, where large waterways including lakes and rivers are abundant, as well as contribute to the countries hydroelectric industry. Since Tethys launched with their flagship vehicle, the ‘SCUBA 2.0’ they have found further success with the recent release of ‘Proteus’, an omnidirectional ROV appointed with a stereo camera, depth sensor, IMU, SBL and sonar, certified to 300m depths.

Last week KYSTDESIGN AS signed a contract with Ocein AS for supply of 15 Stealth Cleaner net cleaners. The net cleaner “Stealth Cleaner” is a remote-controlled subsea vehicle for gentle cleaning of fish farms and moorings and has become an important tool for lice control and to safeguard the welfare of farmed fish. The development of the Stealth Cleaner’s is based on KYSTDESIGN’s extensive experience in ROV and subsea robotics in addition to Ocein’s broad expertise within sea-based fish farming.

After two years of warm stack, Namaka Subsea assisted a client with the reactivation of their recently purchased Dive Support Vessel (DSV) in the Middle East by initially carrying out the IMCA DESIGN audits of the saturation and surface orientated diving systems onboard. Following the DESIGN audits, a review and update of the diving system Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) assessments for both diving systems and the development of the vessel/system specific operating and emergency procedures were also completed.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) announced today the debut of the Proteus unmanned surface vessel (USV) for testing and development of autonomy capabilities. The 27-foot Proteus USV was outfitted with Sea Machines Robotics’ SM300 autonomy system and completed a successful demonstration on Friday, May 14 off the coast of Panama City, Florida.

Kraken Robotics Inc., Canada’s Ocean Company™, is pleased to announce that it has received an order for a 3000-meter rated AquaPix MINSAS 120 Synthetic Aperture Sonar from an American autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) manufacturer. The contract value is $0.5 million and delivery to the customer is expected in 2021. Since March of this year, Kraken has received orders for AquaPix MINSAS 120 Synthetic Aperture Sonars from customers in the US, Europe, and Australia for integration onto three different AUV platforms.

Established in 2013, Hydra Subsea a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydra Offshore Construction Inc., is a full-service offshore marine contractor. Hydra provides specialized marine support services, offshore construction, saturation diving, heavy lift services and subsea solutions to support offshore operations in the US Gulf of Mexico, West Coast and many international locations. Hydra is pleased to announce that it has purchased the deep-water purpose built DP2 Multi-Purpose Construction Vessel MPCV Subsea Responder IV (ex SURF Challenger, ex DMT Emerald) a USA built, Jones Act Compliant, 292’ x 60’ diesel electric vessel with dual internal work class ROVs. The Subsea Responder IV also boasts a 110te Knuckle Boom Crane and a 125te deep water AHC lowering tower with 12,000’ capabilities and comfortable berthing for 77 persons.

A custom-made 50 WLL lifting frame designed by Modulift was key in being used to ensure that Mocean Energy’s new Blue X wave energy prototype could take it’s first ever dip in to the cold waters of the North Sea.

Innovative service company, MCS, has launched a new mini Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to reduce cost in subsea inspection and 3D metrology for the worldwide energy industry. The MiniSpector, which has been developed to be launched from a platform, reduces the reliance on additional vessels and equipment saving customers’ money.

A NEW study mapping-out potential risks to the UK’s coastal environment, marine life and traffic as a result of hydrocarbon releases from energy industry activity and shipping has been completed, helping to inform the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) future response strategy. Xodus Group, in association with London Marine Consultants, delivered the review of the hydrocarbon release risk on the UKCS over the next decade for the MCA, an agency of the Department for Transport of the UK Government.

Modus Subsea Services Ltd. (Modus), a leading independent expert in the provision of seabed intervention, IMR, survey and specialist AUV services, announces the acquisition of two (2) complete, integrated, SPICE AUV systems from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI). SPICE AUVs represent highly capable systems, delivered by one of the World’s leading OEMs, capable of providing a wide range of autonomous services and data acquisition with high efficiency and quality, down to 3,000m water depth.

Maersk Drilling has secured a contract from INEOS Oil & Gas UK to employ the harsh-environment jack-up rig Maersk Resolve for drilling and hydraulic stimulation at the Breagh Alpha A11 well in block 42/13 of the UK North Sea. The contract is expected to commence in Q3 2021, in direct continuation of the rig’s current work scope, with an estimated duration of 140 days. The contract value is approximately USD 11.3m. The contract includes four additional one-well options.

Fugro has been awarded a multi-year site investigation contract by Germany's Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Das Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH).

Maersk Drilling has sold the jack-up rig Maersk Guardian (now named Guardian) to New Fortress Energy, and the parties have further entered into an agreement about the sale of the jack-up rig Mærsk Gallant with anticipated closing in June 2021. The total sales price for the two rigs is USD 31m in all-cash transactions.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP to highlight Global Underwater Hub in Aberdeen at Subsea Live Energy minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, will give the opening address at Subsea Live, affirming the UK Government’s support for and recognition of the size, scale and potential of the underwater industry.

Modus Subsea Services Ltd is proud to announce that it recently surpassed 2 Million Manhours, more than 9 years, without a lost-time injury (LTI) across all work locations: Head Office, Marine Base Facility, and offshore work locations worldwide.