Lloyd’s Register, a leading marine classification society, has awarded its first certification for an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) to the DriX maritime drone. Developed by Exail, a global high-tech company and pioneer in the field of maritime autonomy, the DriX USV is operated by major hydrographic institutes and energy companies worldwide and has already received Bureau Veritas Approval in Principle (AiP).

SeeByte Ltd, the global leader of smart software solutions for uncrewed maritime systems, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite- quantity (IDIQ) contract to support the US Navy’s MK18 Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle Family of Systems program.

A proven survivor - the Saab Seaeye Tiger has spent five years working in nuclear storage ponds at Sellafield, one of the most highly radioactive and highly alkaline places on the planet for a robotic vehicle.

Innovative subsea trenching contractor Aratellus today revealed its involvement in a significant new Offshore Wind project, and additional contract awards, for its Leviathan subsea trenching system.

DOF Group is pleased to announce multiple new contracts in Atlantic region and the long-term charter of the CSV vessel Havila Phoenix. The region has been awarded an Integrated Field Support Vessel (FSV) contract with an international operator in West-Africa.

Kraken Robotics announces that it has received an initial order for subsea batteries valued at $14 million, which includes a significant advance payment. Deliveries will occur in 2023.

Ocean Robotics Planet Magazine Issue 33: Greensea Systems’ Open Architecture Software Revolution - Hydramec to Set the Pace in Delivering Remote Solutions - Blueye Robotics Close Up View of the Damaged Nord Stream Pipelines - Nord Stream, Geopolitical Tensions, and the Need for Power to Protect Remote Offshore Assets - Eurofleets AUV Workshop in the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden - Poster: The “Ran” Hugin AUV - Modus Subsea Services Awarded the World’s First Resident Subsea Drone Contract - FiFish: The Small ROV with Large Options - Spanish Navy Acquires Leopard ROV through NSPA - Nekton Maldives Mission: Where No Human Has Gone Before - Powering Resilient Navigation to Safeguard Naval Operations - Artificial Intelligence Meets Underwater Inspection - IMCA Turns its Guidance Spotlight on USVs

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Hydroacoustic technology specialist GeoAcoustics Ltd and the University of Plymouth have signed a new technology partnership agreement based on the use of a GeoPulse Compact sub-bottom profiler for education and research purposes.

Fugro has been awarded two geotechnical investigation contracts for the development of the Dutch IJmuiden Ver Site V-VI, Nederwiek (zuid) Site I and Hollandse Kust (west) Site VIII offshore wind zones.

Argeo Robotics AS, a fully owned subsidiary of Argeo AS, has been granted a patent from the Norwegian Industrial Patent office (Patentstyret)for a subsea electromagnetic remote-sensing system.

Argeo confirms that a contract comprising of Argeo Searcher and both SeaRaptor AUV’s (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) for Ultra Deep-Water work in the North Atlantic is agreed.

Subsea7 announced today the award of a contract to Subsea Integration Alliance1 to support the development of bp’s Cypre project, a gas development located offshore Trinidad and Tobago. Subsea7’s scope of the awarded Subsea Integration Alliance contract is substantial2.

Kraken Robotics announces completion of the offshore portion of a Robotics as a Service (RaaS) contract for the marine inspection of critical underwater infrastructure, including a submarine power cable. The contract value is $0.5 million. Kraken completed the offshore survey in challenging sea state conditions, including up to 4 kts of cross current, by using the KATFISH™ high-speed towed synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) system coupled with Kraken’s Automated Launch and Recovery System (ALARS).

Advanced Navigation, a developer of AI robotics and navigation technology, and KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the signing of definitive agreements under which KKR will lead a AUD 108 million (USD 68 million) Series B funding round in the Company. The funding round includes participation from new investors such as deep learning venture firm AI Capital and existing investors, including Main Sequence, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC, In-Q-Tel, and Our Innovation Fund, bringing Advanced Navigation’s total amount raised to more than AUD 134 million (USD 85 million).

A Saab Seaeye Falcon underwater robot has helped complete the first-ever systematic scientific survey of the waters of the Maldives - the lowest-lying nation on earth. The Maldives is just 1.5 metres above sea level on islands of coral reef atolls. Globally, coral reefs account for 32% of known biodiversity. They are seen as the ‘rainforests of the ocean’, yet at least 97% could be lost with a 1.5-degree temperature rise.

The Metals Company, an explorer of the world’s largest estimated undeveloped source of critical battery metals, announced that its subsidiary NORI and offshore partner Allseas have successfully concluded the first integrated system test in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean since the 1970s, achieving all significant pilot milestones while collecting approximately 4,500 tonnes of seafloor polymetallic nodules. Over 3,000 tonnes were transported up a 4.3km-long riser system to the surface production vessel, Hidden Gem, while the additional 1,500 tonnes of nodules were purposely left behind on the seafloor as part of the trials.

SEA-KIT International has secured funding through Round 2 of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) to design a hydrogen powered, zero emission Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV).