Seabed Exclusivity Agreement Confirms Scottish Development of Pioneering Floating Offshore Wind Asset Storage
• Offshore Solutions Group signs initial Agreement with Crown Estate Scotland to develop sites in Moray Firth
• Moray FLOW-Park first to provide temporary safe anchorage for floating offshore wind (FLOW) assets
Offshore Solutions Group (OSG), a UK-based developer focused on the floating offshore wind (FLOW) sector, has signed a two-year Exclusivity Agreement with Crown Estate Scotland for areas of seabed in the Moray Firth, the proposed location of its ground-breaking FLOW-Park.
Developed by OSG and recognised as a global industry first, the Moray FLOW-Park aims to provide temporary safe anchorage (wet storage) for FLOW assets - namely the foundation base units - thus optimising risk management and logistics during the assembly, wind turbine generation (WTG) integration and deployment process. An early proponent of the benefits of FLOW-Park to Scotland’s floating offshore wind sector, Scottish Enterprise has provided grant support to OSG and guidance on public and private sector funding opportunities.
Scotland is a global leader in offshore wind and the ports in and around the Moray Firth are expected to be key in delivering large-scale FLOW projects. The Moray FLOW-Park leverages the OSG team’s expertise in designing and delivering offshore mooring of large assets, together with structuring and investing in renewable energy infrastructure.
Future FLOW-Park strategy will be informed by OSG’s shortlist of potential locations, the outcome of a three year, comprehensive survey of the UK coastline and detailed assessment of over 200 potential locations.
Shane Woodroffe, OSG Chief Commercial Officer comments: “We are delighted to have achieved this milestone in our development of this project. Our agreement with Crown Estate Scotland allows us to conduct some initial surveys of our proposed sites, and engage further with local stakeholders and communities around our plans. The Moray FLOW-Park is set to truly leverage and enhance Scotland’s existing port infrastructure to deliver its floating offshore wind ambitions.”
Scottish Enterprise’s Director for Energy Transition, Suzanne Sosna, said: “Our vision is for Scotland to be viewed as a global centre of excellence for offshore wind, with supply chains that are world-leading in terms of value, competitiveness and quality.
“The plans for the Moray FLOW-Park align perfectly with that vision and will provide critical infrastructure that supports the effective build out of offshore wind delivery in Scotland. This agreement is tangible evidence of the actions being taken to lead the world in this sector and we are delighted to back the ambition that Offshore Solutions Group has shown.”
Teledyne Marine Secures First Orders For New Compact Navigator From Ashtead Technology
Teledyne Marine is pleased to announce its first orders for the Compact Navigator—its new ultra-compact, high-performance autonomous navigation system for subsea and surface vehicles—following a successful launch at Ocean Business 2025. Ashtead Technology has placed a significant initial order, marking the first commercial adoption of what is now the world’s smallest and highest-performing, fully integrated autonomous navigation solution.
Teledyne Marine and Ashtead Technology have enjoyed a successful, collaborative relationship over many years, consistently delivering cutting-edge subsea solutions to the offshore energy sector. This latest agreement reinforces both companies’ shared commitment to innovation and performance.
As an industry leader in offshore equipment solutions and services, Ashtead Technology plays a key role in accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies across global subsea markets. The integration of the Teledyne Marine Compact Navigator into its rental fleet not only enhances the capabilities available to its customers but also reflects Ashtead Technology’s forward-thinking approach to enabling safer, more efficient, and more agile offshore operations.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong response to the Compact Navigator following its debut at Ocean Business,” said Paul Mariner, Sales Manager at Teledyne Marine. “Ashtead Technology is a valued partner, and their investment in this leap forward in navigation technology is a testament to the growing demand for versatile, high-performance, compact navigation solutions. Combining class-leading performance with a remarkably small footprint, the Compact Navigator operates independently of GNSS and excels in acoustically challenging environments—making it ideal for the latest generation of autonomous surface and subsea vehicles.”
The Compact Navigator is Teledyne Marine’s latest advancement in navigation technology, designed to deliver high-precision positioning and enhanced performance in a lightweight, ultra small form factor. Extreme optimisation on size, weight, power, performance, and functionality makes the new Compact Navigator revolutionary. Ideal for small vehicles, it enables new inspection and survey operations that were previously unachievable.
Phil Middleton, Head of Survey and Robotics, Ashtead Technology commented, “Ashtead Technology is delighted to be the first integrated subsea technology partner to bring the brand-new Teledyne Marine Compact Navigator to the global subsea operations market. This next-generation navigation solution is a differentiator in the market, enabling inspection and survey applications to be performed using small subsea vehicles. Available from Ashtead Technology in Q4 2025, we look forward to delivering this solution to our clients.”
Available in two depth-rated versions—4000m and 300m—the Compact Navigator has been developed using unique Teledyne Marine technology by their world-leading navigation experts and in consultation with key ROV and AUV companies.
Teledyne Marine’s Compact Navigator is now available for commercial orders, with deliveries scheduled for Q4 2025.
visit the Teledyne Marine website here.
Sea Vorian Expands SEA360 Fleet with Teledyne Gavia AUV
Teledyne Marine announces the purchase and delivery of a Gavia Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to one of the subsidiaries of the Sea Vorian group, SEA360, located in Caudan, France. With this investment, SEA360 will be able to provide cutting-edge geophysical surveys, cable and subsea infrastructure inspection, environmental studies and become a leading European provider for underwater data collection and analysis.
The newly acquired Teledyne Gavia AUV is equipped with advanced technologies, including the EdgeTech 2205 sonar, with bathymetric and gap-filling module, EXail PHINS C3 Inertial Navigation System (INS), and USBL modules. These technologies will enable Sea360 to perform geophysical survey missions, underwater inspections, and environmental monitoring at depths of up to 1,000 meters.
This acquisition aligns with Sea Vorian’s goal to establish SEA360 as a leading name in European commercial undersea surveying services. By integrating state-of-the-art autonomous systems, SEA360 is advancing unmanned technologies in the ocean surveying and inspection market.
"We are very excited to add one of our Gavia AUVs to the SEA360 fleet," said Valentin Hann, Senior Director of Sales – Marine Vehicles, EMEA "Not only will this investment add to SEA360 ’s operational capacity, but it will also allow them to expand their geophysical surveying and infrastructure inspection services to meet the growing needs of the underwater commercial market.”
"This acquisition of the GAVIA marks a significant step forward in enhancing our operational capabilities” said Simon Ichstchenko, Marine Service Manager”. With its cutting-edge technology and unparalleled efficiency, the GAVIA will enable us to conduct maritime missions with greater precision, safety, and sustainability. We are proud to integrate such an innovative solution into our fleet, reaffirming our commitment to excellence and innovation in maritime operations."
With a strong expertise in the marine data collection and analysis, SEA360 provides high-quality marine data services through innovative autonomous underwater technologies as well as conventional survey means. Its vision is to reinvent ocean surveying and inspection using the latest autonomous and sensor technologies, pursuing accuracy, efficiency, flexibility and low carbon emissions.
Kongsberg Discovery on board with One Ocean Expedition for ambitious, year-long research voyage
Kongsberg Discovery has helped transform the 111-year-old, three-masted sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl into a state-of-the-art research vessel for the upcoming One Ocean Expedition, departing from Bergen, Norway, on 11 April.
The almost 100-metre-long vessel, Norway’s largest sailing ship, has been fitted with an array of Kongsberg Discovery technology to help scientists monitor and understand unique ocean environments, including the waters of the legendary Northwest Passage.
Onboard systems now include 75 and 300 kHz ADCPs, EK80 Echo Sounders, an advanced hydrophone cluster, and the Seapath GNSS-aided inertial navigation system, while Blue Insight, a cutting-edge ocean data management and analytics platform, will process and share captured data with land-based teams daily. In addition, a wide range of equipment, such as weather stations, water samplers, situational awareness, and motion reference units, has also been integrated.
A world of opportunity
The One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026 is a 12-month voyage encompassing 26 ports across three continents. It will see a crew featuring seasoned scientists, eager students and key stakeholders crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Arctic, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.
En route, the team will collect a wealth of data to help ascertain ocean health, monitor marine ecosystems, and assess the impact of climate change, building both knowledge and awareness of pressing issues.
Proven performance
“It is a great honour to be supporting this crucial expedition with our cutting-edge solutions,” says Martin Wien Fjell, President of Kongsberg Discovery. “The ship will work as a unique data acquisition platform, empowering insights in often remote and little-understood environments, such as the Northwest Passage, while gathering invaluable information about the broader state of ocean health.
“Our systems are perfectly suited to the tasks ahead, performing with proven reliability, optimal precision and high-quality results in even the most demanding conditions. We’re looking forward to setting sail, while also helping the students set sail on their careers as the next generation of ocean scientists and explorers. We believe major discoveries await.”
Global benefits
Kongsberg Discovery’s innovations will be put to work on a number of key assignments, including measuring ocean currents, with the ADCP, to help understand how marine life is affected by ocean movements, and recording underwater noise, using hydrophones, to ‘listen’ for pollution and monitor marine mammals, such as whales.
“The Statsraad Lehmkuhl is an incredible vessel, but to meet the ambitious expedition goals, it needed a major technology upgrade,” comments Haakon Vatle, CEO and expedition leader, The One Ocean Expedition. “We’re immensely grateful to Kongsberg Discovery and the Kongsberg Group for their commitment to tailor a technology package that will allow us to shine light on the depths and unlock a level of understanding that, we hope, can benefit the entire world.”
The One Ocean Expedition sets sail during One Ocean Week in Bergen, calling in at ports including Reykjavik, Nuuk (Greenland), Cambridge Bay (Canada), Seattle, La Paz (Mexico), Cartagena (Columbia), Cadiz, and Dublin. During its stop in Nice, France, vessel team members will participate in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. Statsraad Lehmkuhl will return to Bergen in April 2026, in time for next year’s One Ocean Week.
Boxfish Robotics Introduces Reliable and Easy-to-Use Hovering AUV for Marine Research
Boxfish Robotics is proud to announce the launch of their first generation of fully autonomous tetherless hovering Boxfish AUV (Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), featuring cutting-edge advancements in autonomy that set a new standard in underwater exploration.
The Boxfish AUV is equipped with Boxfish’s latest proprietary autonomy software, allowing it to operate with precision and efficiency. The easy-to-use graphical user interface, SafePath Planner, offers a high level of customisation and ensures that the AUV can navigate complex underwater environments with ease. Users can also monitor the progress of the mission and intervene if required.
The AUV supports benthic photogrammetry work, seabed mapping, coral reef and artificial coral reef monitoring, coral bleaching studies, fish studies, and invasive species studies. The Boxfish AUV operates tetherless at depths of up to 600 meters, with future enhancements planned to reach 1000 meters. The Boxfish AUV can carry a number of sensors to measure water quality and take high-quality video complemented by stereo cameras for fish census surveys.
The unique design of the Boxfish AUV sets it apart from traditional torpedo-shaped autonomous vehicles. It can manoeuvre with agility, allowing it to perform tasks such as seabed mapping, inspection, and data collection more effectively. This versatility makes it an invaluable tool for scientists, researchers, and industry professionals alike.
A combination of the Return to Surface function, proven by other Boxfish Robotics products in the field, and the Boxfish Satellite Tacker that reports the location of the AUV in case it is lost, brings peace of mind.
"We are thrilled to introduce the updated Boxfish AUV to the market. Our advanced autonomy software and innovative design provide users with a powerful and reliable solution for underwater exploration. Whether it’s for scientific research, environmental monitoring, or industrial applications, the Boxfish AUV is equipped to meet the most demanding challenges" - Craig Anderson, Co-founder and Director of Engineering at Boxfish Robotics.
The Boxfish AUV is now available for order. For more information, please visit the Boxfish Robotics website here or contact our sales team.
Klein Marine Systems selects Exail navigation technology to equip their 5900 sonar
Klein Marine Systems, a leader in sonar technology, has selected the Exail Octans Nano OEM Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) as the standard navigation solution for their 5900 Side Scan Sonar (SSS). This collaboration aims to enhance the sonar’s precision and reliability for high-resolution seabed mapping, supporting a range of defense, security, and commercial applications.
The Exail Octans Nano OEM AHRS offers a heading accuracy of 0.5° secant latitude, and pitch and roll accuracy of 0.1°, ensuring stable and precise attitude and heading data. These capabilities are essential for optimizing sonar image quality, improving positioning accuracy, and reducing the need for extensive post-processing. The system’s compact design and low power consumption allow for seamless integration into subsea platforms, making it ideal for extended underwater missions where precise attitude data is critical.
“By integrating the Exail Octans Nano OEM into our 5900 SSS, we are significantly enhancing both positioning accuracy and image stability,” said Ted Curley, General Manager at Klein Marine Systems. “This advanced motion compensation technology reduces data errors, delivering clearer and more reliable imagery for critical missions.”
The Klein 5900 SSS is renowned for its high-resolution seabed mapping capabilities, supporting critical tasks such as geophysical surveys, wreck detection, and the identification of unexploded ordnance (UXO). With the integration of Exail’s AHRS technology, the sonar’s ability to maintain stability and reduce drift in challenging underwater conditions is strengthened, ensuring consistent and precise data collection in even the most complex environments.
“Klein Marine Systems’ selection of the Exail Octans Nano OEM reflects the trust placed in our cutting-edge AHRS technology,” said Shayan Haque, Regional Sales Manager at Exail. “We are proud to support Klein’s mission to deliver innovative solutions that empower users to perform more precise and efficient underwater surveys.”
Exail’s continued innovation in inertial navigation technology solidifies its role as a key player in the global subsea navigation and positioning market. Through this partnership, Exail and Klein Marine Systems are setting a new standard for accuracy and efficiency in seabed mapping and underwater exploration worldwide.
NOC launches new Innovation Hub to power ocean tech and blue economy
The UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has unveiled an ambitious new Innovation Hub in Southampton, designed to accelerate advances in ocean technology and support sustainable growth across the blue economy.
Backed by a £200,000 investment, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as a catalyst for innovation in marine autonomous systems (MAS), the blue economy and beyond—bringing together researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs to drive progress across the ocean and maritime sectors.
the new hub features state-of-the-art meeting, conference and hot desking space, break out rooms and dining zones, traditional office spaces, and cutting-edge soundproof acoustic smart pods over 304 sq m floor space.
A launch event was held at the new facility during the Ocean Business conference and exhibition, with more than 50 representatives from across the UK and beyond across the commercial, research and academic sectors attending.
Mark Hamson, Innovation Hub Manager, says, “Our mission is to foster innovation and innovative organisations in a collaborative environment, supporting and advancing commercial opportunities in the blue economy by creating connections between industry and science.
“This will help to harness the potential of the ocean for sustainable economic development, driving innovation and creating jobs and value in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, maritime transport and renewable energy to a wider pool of innovators.
“With our amazing new facilities, our connections across the ocean and maritime sectors, regular seminars, networking events, access to the deep expertise and research at NOC, as well as our ability to identify collaboration and partnering opportunities, it truly is an exciting time for innovation across the sectors we support.”
The hub, run under NOC Innovations, being NOC’s enterprise arm, takes the former Marine Robotics Innovation Centre (MRIC) at NOC and its offering, to a new level.
This includes extending the services and facilities provided, supporting a wider range of organisations across the ocean and maritime sectors, with a goal to double Innovation Hub membership from the more than 40 currently.
It is already attracting new members, including a global Ocean conservation charity, The Ocean Conservation Trust. CEO Ian McFadzen says, "NOC’s new Innovation Hub offers us an impactful network that champions economic resilience, innovation and sustainability. It has long been a driving force in bringing businesses together to create a prosperous and sustainable future and we’re pleased to be part of its growth to drive further value for society."
To support the widest range of businesses and innovators, the Innovation Hub has tiered memberships to suit all organisations, from start-ups to multi-nationals, onsite or remote.
Leader of Southampton City Council, Lorna Fielker, performed the official opening. She said, “I’m pleased to launch NOC’s new Innovation Hub. It will provide crucial support to strengthening a growing community of innovative companies developing, marketing and using technology for MAS and related ocean and maritime operations. The wide range of specialist teams at NOC, across key growth areas such as marine autonomous systems, will undoubtedly bring deep benefits to this critical community to the UK.”
Further information is available at the NOC Innovations Hub here.
Teledyne Marine Introduces Next Generation Navigation and Sensing Solutions at Ocean Business
- new Compact Navigator – the world’s smallest and highest performing, fully integrated autonomous navigation solution is revealed at Ocean Business
- new SeaBat T51-S – the enhanced SeaBat T51 now reaches 6000m depth while ensuring reliable, hands-free operation
- new Workhorse Proteus – an evolution of the original Workhorse ADCP combines ultimate flexibility and unparalleled data
- new BlueStreamX2 - the latest upgrade doubles Benthos Acoustic Modems' (WideBand C) data rate to 4800bits per second and enhances UTS topside systems
- new Valeport pH – an innovative self-calibrating, highly accurate, and robust pH sensor from Teledyne Valeport
- new Intrepid System – a GNSS/Inertial Navigation System for unmanned surface vehicles, seamlessly integrates with the SeaBat T20-ASV processor for precise positioning
Ocean Business 25 was the launch venue for an exciting lineup of new technologies and industry leading solutions from Teledyne Marine. Visitors to Stand T7 and Dockside HS 02 experienced firsthand, the latest advancements in marine navigation, acoustics, and sensing technology, including the exclusive launch of the Compact Navigator.
Compact Navigator - an ultra-compact, high-performance autonomous navigation system for subsea and surface vehicles. Available in 4000m and 300m depth-rated versions, the Compact Navigator measures just Ø114mm x 135mm, outperforming larger systems while fitting within most standalone DVL volumes. With ultra-low power consumption (<7W) and seamless integration, it requires no external aiding or user intervention, ensuring effortless operation and easy connectivity via a single connector.
SeaBat T51-S – The latest addition to the SeaBat series, the SeaBat T51-S, is a multibeam echosounder designed for ROV and AUV deployment, enabling operation at depths of up to 6000m. Encased in a pressure-rated housing, it delivers exceptional data quality with minimal false detections and unmatched resolution, capturing detailed seabed imagery and detecting objects as small as 0.3 meters. Its expanded 170° swath width at 800 kHz covers a larger seabed area in a single pass, increasing efficiency and reducing survey time. With integrated ‘Tracker’ technology, the T51-S automates real-time sonar adjustments, simplifying operation and optimising performance for underwater surveys and inspections.
Workhorse Proteus – Teledyne RD Instruments advances its revolutionary original Workhorse ADCP with Proteus, featuring a fully linear receiver for precise water column signal return and bottom/surface tracking; a new RDI gyro-stabilised AHRS for high-quality 3D georeferencing on dynamic platforms; and onboard edge processing for real-time, low-bandwidth applications. Offering ultimate flexibility and ample actionable data, Proteus delivers superior data on currents, turbulence, and particle distribution in marine environments.
BlueStreamX2 – Teledyne Marine’s BlueStreamX2, is an upgrade that doubles the data rate for Benthos Acoustic Modems in the WideBand C frequency, increasing the bit rate to 4800 bits per second without compromising communication range performance. This enhancement is available across all Benthos modem families, including the Acoustic Telemetry Modem (ATM), Compact Modem (CM), Ultra Compact Modem (UCM), and UTS topside systems. BlueStreamX2 expands the bandwidth to 10 kHz, allowing for both increased speed and extended distance. The innovative high-frequency transducer design fully leverages the WideBand C transducer’s potential, delivering faster and more efficient underwater data transmission. BlueStreamX2 is exclusive to WideBand C modems.
Valeport pH Sensor – Teledyne Valeport, in collaboration with ANB Sensors, introduces a cutting-edge, self-calibrating pH sensor for ocean monitoring. This innovative Valeport pH sensor eliminates the need for frequent recalibration, reducing downtime and operational costs associated with traditional glass electrode technology. Unlike conventional sensors, it offers a durable, easy-to-store solution with exceptional accuracy of ±0.1 pH.
What sets the Teledyne Valeport pH sensor apart is its combination of simple operation, robustness, and ease of handling and storage. Rated for depths up to 1250 meters, the Valeport pH is well suited for long-term deployments and ensures reliable performance in harsh marine environments.
Intrepid System – Teledyne Marine’s Intrepid is a seamless integrated GNSS INS solution for the SeaBat ASV product line. Intrepid simplifies setup via SeaBat’s modern UI, eliminating the need for physical or software interfacing between sensors. It outputs data in Teledyne’s popular s7k format, and supports RTK correction input, including a built-in NTRIP client and support for Fugro MarineStar® correction services, ensuring high-resolution mapping is a straightforward process. Additionally, users benefit from collective software and firmware updates for the entire mapping system through this unified solution.
For more information visit the Teledyne Marine website here.
TechWorks Marine Environmental Monitoring in the North Sea
Irish marine company TechWorks Marine and French marine company AKROCEAN have partnered in Norway to deploy a wave buoy and a floating LiDAR on Norway’s first offshore wind farm.
Ventyr, the developer of Norway's first offshore wind farm, Sørlige Nordsjø II, deployed two specialised monitoring buoys in 2024 to gather critical environmental, wind and metocean data on the site for a period of 1 year.
TechWorks Marine and AKROCEAN have deployed a wave buoy and a floating LiDAR respectively. The dual deployment marks a significant milestone for the project, which will bring renewable offshore wind energy to Norway.
These buoys are collecting vital live data on wind profile, wave dynamics, weather, subsea measurements (conductivity, depth and currents), and are monitoring the presence of birds, bats, marine mammals, and fish in the area. The data gathered will be instrumental in guiding future construction and operational decisions, aligning sustainable energy production with robust environmental stewardship. The buoys are set to remain in place for at least one year, and have already measured winter conditions on site. Over the next year, they will provide valuable data contributing to the development of this pioneering offshore wind project.
Successful Collaboration between Gold Standard Partners
Planet Ocean Ltd is pleased to announce a collaboration with Sonardyne International Ltd resulting in the successful integration and deployment of three, gold standard instruments from its reseller partners, Sea-Bird Scientific, Sequoia and 4H-Jena.
The Sonardyne team have integrated a Sea-Bird Scientific HydroCAT-EP V2 sensor with pressure, dissolved oxygen concentration, chlorophyll and turbidity, a CONTROS HydroC Dissolved CO2 Sensor and a LISST-200X particle size analyser with their Origin 600 ADCP.
The individual sensors can stream data directly into the Origin 600 external sensor port or together can be connected via the Origin E-Mux multiplexor, which can receive measurements from up to four sensors and pass
their data to the ADCP. The Origin E-Mux also provides additional power to the ADCP and any external sensors, allowing for extended deployments. All sensor data is logged on Origin 600 for download post-deployment but can also be fused with ADCP measurements within the Sonardyne Edge computing environment. Fused data can then be transmitted to the surface via Origin 600’s integrated acoustic modem. The entire payload can be housed in Sonardyne’s Origin Seabed Lander bedframe.
This integration provided a good example of the above process: The Sensor Suite were preconfigured to produce measurements at a fixed rate to Origin, which powered the sensors and logged the received data. The data was fused with ADCP current measurements in Origin’s Edge computing environment, allowing in-situ combination of multiple parameters into a NMEA-style string. This string was transmitted acoustically to the surface every five minutes using Origin’s integrated acoustic modem. The NMEA data was then further distributed to a Cloud account, allowing users to view live updates of current speed, current bearing, conductivity, temperature and pressure.
A further benefit to the collaboration is the ability of the Planet Ocean ecoSUB Robotics AUV’s to communicate with the Origin system since they can operate in the same Sonardyne 6G acoustic ecosystem.
Live data from the system was showcased at Ocean Business in Southampton.
