Mariana Csanyi

‘Ears in the ocean’ to boost global safety and sustainability as Kongsberg Discovery rolls out passive acoustic technology

Kongsberg Discovery is targeting a global roll out of advanced passive acoustic technology, helping markets such as the oil, gas and naval sectors detect operational anomalies from the outset, safeguarding critical subsea assets and environments. The push comes with the full integration of Bergen, Norway’s Naxys Technologies into the company, following on from its acquisition in January this year.

Transforming subsea awareness

Kongsberg Discovery is a world leader in advanced ocean sensors and robotics, while Naxys has forged a position as Norway’s leading innovator in passive acoustics, serving the nation’s thriving energy sector.

Its established passive hydrophone technology provides continuous acoustic monitoring, detecting changes in flow conditions, structural integrity, and potential leaks, as well as other anomalous subsea noises and vibrations.

As Martin Wien Fjell, President Kongsberg Discovery explains, the solutions – which can be easily installed on underwater equipment, or utilised as mobile arrays for marine and infrastructure inspection – can “transform awareness” of what’s happening below the waves, delivering compelling benefits for diverse user groups.

Minimising downtime, maximising efficiency

“Since its formation in 1999, Naxys has refined robust, high performance technology that gives customers ‘ears in the ocean’, helping them identify and address issues with speed, safety and precision,” Fjell comments. “This has been a real success in Norway, enabling customers to minimise the impact of offshore structures on surrounding ecosystems, while supporting efficient production, reducing downtime and optimising costs.

“These are benefits that, with this full integration, Kongsberg Discovery can now bring to the global marketplace. In today’s highly regulated operating arenas, where responsible environmental monitoring is essential, this passive technology is a gamechanger. It can detect leaks far ahead of conventional systems, save millions of dollars in unplanned downtime, deliver precise critical infrastructure inspections, and help protect fragile ocean ecosystems by monitoring radiated noise from human activity and detecting nearby marine mammals. Together with our existing solutions, we now believe we can offer the market a uniquely comprehensive level of subsea awareness.”

Diverse applications

The passive acoustic solutions are as flexible as they are effective. For example, the sensors can be easily installed on subsea structures as permanent leak detection systems, or on equipment such as subsea pumps and compression systems, continuously analysing performance to inform maintenance and operational decisions.

Used as scalable array configurations, on ROVs or other mobile assets, the solutions can monitor and inspect installations, or be utilised for monitoring targets, surveillance or protecting infrastructure such as harbours. With a growing emphasis on reducing noise within the ocean environment, Naxys technology can also help users monitor and manage their own operational noise footprint.

“The variety of applications speaks volumes of the market potential here,” Fjell concludes, “with a real opportunity to deliver added value for customers in the Oceanographic and Marine sectors, in addition to the Energy industry.

“It’s not just the environments that our customers operate in that creates challenges, but also the evolving legislations and increasingly dynamic risk picture. This technology is tailored to meet those needs, helping users stay ahead, and in control, as they work to enhance safety, sustainability and standards in our oceans.”

Kongsberg Discovery, which has operations and facilities across the globe, will maintain and build its new Bergen presence, catering for regional oceanographic research, marine and energy customers.

To discover more please see https://www.kongsberg.com/discovery/

by Mariana Csanyi

PXGEO wins two-year geophysical contract to support Malaysia Upstream Activities

by Mariana Csanyi

Exail secures sale of DriX H-9 long-range Uncrewed Surface Vessel to leading Global Hydrographic Authority

Exail has secured the sale of its new long-range Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV), the DriX H-9, to a leading global hydrographic authority. This milestone marks the successful expansion of Exail’s portfolio of autonomous solutions for both commercial and defense markets, reinforcing its position as a key player in the rapidly growing USV sector.

Building on the success of the DriX H-8, the new H-9 model delivers up to 20 days of autonomous endurance, increased payload capacity and enhanced flexibility to support a wide range of maritime missions. Designed to address the growing demand for persistent, over-the-horizon (OTH) surveys, the DriX H-9 minimizes offshore logistics while extending operational reach, key requirements in sectors such as offshore energy and subsea infrastructure and naval surveillance.

The H-9 can carry multiple geophysical sensors simultaneously, such as side-scan sonar, magnetometer, multi-beam echo sounder and sub-bottom profilers. Its aft launch and recovery system enables deployment of towed sensors and inspection class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), supporting tasks such as seabed mapping and infrastructure inspection. An adaptable mast allows integration of additional sensors such as optical systems and advanced communications equipment, for maritime domain awareness missions.

Like the DriX H-8, the H-9 features a gondola architecture optimized for hydroacoustic sensors, ensuring high-quality, stable data collection. A common architecture framework across the DriX Series further simplifies fleet integration, enabling shared spares and streamlined maintenance.

“With this sale of the H-9, alongside the recent success of the DriX O-16, the DriX series is becoming a true reality at sea — enabling operations from shallow to deep waters, with expanding endurance, the ability to embark a wide range of sensors, and the capability to launch and recover various assets,” said Sébastien Grall, Head of Maritime Autonomy activity. “With its maturity, reliability, and widespread adoption by both civilian and military customers worldwide, the DriX Series continues to set the standard for high-performance USV operations and strengthens Exail’s leadership in the rapidly evolving autonomous maritime systems market.”

The DriX H-9 is scheduled to be delivered in 2026. As global interest in autonomous maritime technologies accelerates, Exail is affirming its strategic position in the USV market, delivering robust, mission-ready platforms that meet the evolving needs of operators worldwide.

DriX Series

Since its introduction in 2017, the DriX USV has amassed over 500,000 nm of operations in some of the world’s most challenging maritime environments. Trusted by leading hydrographic agencies, navies, and offshore operators across the five continents, DriX has been deployed for missions ranging from seabed mapping to environmental monitoring, subsea infrastructure inspection, rapid environmental assessment (REA) or Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance. Its proven performance and operational reliability have established it as one of the most widely adopted high‑end USVs in the industry.

by Mariana Csanyi