Forssea Robotics announces a gentleman agreement with Deep Ocean Search (DOS) and its French sister company The Deep Company (TDC) to deploy survey-augmented ROV services globally.

The Hydrographic Society UK & Ireland (THS:UKI) will be hosting the international conference and exhibition, HYDRO 2025, on behalf of the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS).

Aker Solutions certification for unlimited beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations opens a new age of autonomous inspection for offshore platforms, onshore yards, process plants and industrial sites. Full BVLOS certification enables Aker Solutions to conduct autonomous operations alongside manned helicopters and aircraft, one of the most advanced and highest risk authorizations approved by European and national civil aviation authorities. This ensures zero interference with helideck operations, airports or controlled airspace.

On a groundbreaking expedition, scientists discovered bustling fields of deep coral reefs that are threatened globally and at least 30 potential new species, and visited the wreck of the ROU Uruguay for the first time. Palo Alto, California, USA — An international, Uruguay-led team of scientists discovered that the deep-sea coral reefs off the nation’s coast are thriving — primarily consisting of a species recently listed as vulnerable to extinction — on a Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition that ended on September 19. The reefs, built by Desmophyllum pertusum, a slow-growing, cold-water stony coral, were healthier, larger, and richer with life than anticipated. One of the largest reef complexes was found at 300 meters depth and covered an area of 1.3 square kilometers — more than 180 FIFA football fields. The tallest mound measured 40 meters in height.

Ocean services provider DeepOcean has been awarded a SIMOPRO – simultaneous marine operation and production – installation contract by Equinor on the Norwegian continental shelf.

These munitions, many of which have been submerged for over 80 years, are increasingly unstable and pose a growing environmental and safety risk. As their casings corrode, toxic substances like TNT, a carcinogenic and mutagenic compound, leak into the ocean and threaten marine biodiversity, human safety, and fishing industries. Building on extensive research and the experience of previous EU-funded projects, the consortium is focused on implementing new technologies for large-scale recovery.

Measuring just 173 × 38 × 28 mm and weighing only 170 g, the PMM4511 is designed for seamless integration into AUVs, ROVs, and scientific instruments, delivering reliable underwater communication in a slim, low-SWaP form factor.

Two of Norway's leading autonomous systems technology companies, Maritime Robotics and Eelume, have entered into a strategic partnership. The goal is to combine unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and agile underwater vehicles (AUVs) for more efficient and sustainable exploration, surveillance and security operations at sea.

International subsea survey and inspection company Sulmara has opened a new office in Bristol, strengthening its technical leadership and accelerating innovation in subsea data solutions. The new office is now home to a specialist team, focusing on enterprise data infrastructure, software development and data analytics driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). They will help transform how offshore survey data is collected, processed, and delivered, and their work will reduce the number of people working offshore, improve survey accuracy, and shorten project timelines.

The Coast Guard announced Wednesday it will invest nearly $350 million to expand robotics and autonomous systems, strengthening mission execution and operational capabilities. The funding, provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), includes $11 million in fiscal year 2025 for immediate upgrades to critical autonomous systems. Initial investments include: $4.8 million to procure 16 VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to replace Deployable Specialized Forces’ aging fleet.

As a result of this agreement, NextGeo shall be the primary provider for geotechnical seabed survey services, to support the development of offshore substations (OSS), pivotal for the integration of new offshore windfarms in the North Sea and Baltic Sea and the fortification of the European power grid.

With government estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of unexploded ordnance (UXO) devices remain in UK waters from World War I and II, and with a growing number of offshore wind projects planned for these waters, developers are increasingly facing these hidden dangers as they survey the seabed.

Terradepth, a seabed information company, successfully completed an IHO S-44 Special Order survey with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). This achievement meets one of the most stringent international standards for hydrographic accuracy. Using advanced AUV technology, Terradepth demonstrated that high-specification surveys no longer require costly, high-footprint operations.

Exail has achieved a major milestone in maritime autonomy with its DriX O-16 transoceanic uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). The 16-meter platform has just completed an unprecedented 1,100-nautical-mile (2,000 km) transit from La Ciotat – France, to Troia – Portugal, to join NATO’s REPMUS 2025 exercise.

Kongsberg Discovery and Aker Solutions are joining forces to showcase a drone (UAV) detection system in Stavanger, using Kongsberg’s Drone Detection Radar. This marks the beginning of a broader rollout of infrastructure products in the North Sea to enhance situational awareness around offshore assets and transit lanes. Kongsberg Discovery develops subsurface, acoustic, navigation, and marine robotics systems, including AUVs and USVs. The company’s technologies are used in navigation and infrastructure protection, offering products such as Drone Detection Radar, Mobile Broadband Radio, integrated camera systems, and acoustic solutions for subsea monitoring and surveillance.

Forum Energy Technologies has unveiled its next generation remotely operated vehicle (ROV) control system – ICE Unity. In what is a significant leap forward for ROV control technology, the introduction of ICE Unity meets the increasing sector demand for data and control access from outside the core control system.

Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract with REACH Subsea ASA for the design, construction and delivery of two additional unmanned surface vessels (USVs), expanding the pioneering REACH REMOTE fleet.

Join the UK’s largest aquaculture event - free to attend. Explore innovations from 200+ exhibitors, from AI and robotics to feed, genetics, and sustainability solutions. Gain insights at the free conference with expert talks on fish welfare, policy, environmental resilience, and future trends. Network with producers, suppliers, engineers, policymakers, and researchers in a collaborative space.