PDE Offshore upgrades its Sonardyne system as it leads Taiwanese exploration of offshore renewable energy
Leading Taiwanese offshore geophysical and geotechnical investigation company PDE Offshore Corporation have upgraded its underwater acoustic positioning system onboard MV Geo Energy to Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 USBL system. This will further enhance its capability in the exploration of offshore renewable energy (ORE) in Taiwan.
PDE Offshore's new geotechnical vessel Geo Power, also equipped with Ranger 2 USBL system is now under conversion work and will join the fleet in mid-2024 which will provide both seabed and downhole cone penetration testing services.
PDE Offshore have been conducting geotechnical and soil investigation in the shallow waters of the Taiwanese Strait since 2017 as the country looks to replace its coal-based energy with cleaner, sustainable alternatives such as offshore wind farms.
Working with most of the world’s leading ORE developers, PDE Offshore wanted to increase their capability. This required a trusted and proven USBL positioning system for their Geo technical vessel to work in greater water depths and challenging water conditions as their operations expanded.
Having already successfully used Sonardyne’s Mini Ranger 2 for several years, investing in the full Ranger 2 system was a logical choice to provide the reliable dynamic positioning references essential for their operations, whilst also giving the capability for operating in greater depths and more challenging conditions.
Incorporating over 30 years of USBL knowledge, Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 system is anything but standard. It can be used to track anything, in any depth, from any vessel. Track a subsea asset, position or communicate with an underwater vehicle, dynamically position your vessel – or do all of this simultaneously. It can be used for both survey and construction phases of ORE and supports complex tracking scenarios such as structures and vehicles with multiple transponders and multiple remote offsets.
Huang Hsin-chih, President of PDE Offshore, says, “We have been working with Sonardyne since 2017 using their Mini Ranger 2 system. The system is proven, reliable and our engineers are familiar with its operation. It was a simple and logical choice to go ahead and upgrade to the Ranger 2 system to improve our capability to take on greater projects in the region.”
Dan Tan, Regional Sales Manager for Sonardyne in Singapore, says, “Taiwan’s ambitions of becoming a green island means it is fast becoming a leading player offshore wind in Asia Pacific. We’re pleased to be a part this energy transition through PDE Offshore’s continued confidence and investment in our products. We look forward to supporting them in their future operations.”
Sapura enhances subsea capabilities with acquisition of Exail Rovins Nano inertial navigation systems
Sapura, a leading Brazilian provider of subsea services, has recently acquired eight units of Exail Rovins Nano Inertial Navigation Systems (INS). Integrated into Sapura's fleet of remotely operated vehicles (ROV), Exail INS are intended to significantly enhance Sapura’s ROVs capabilities in offshore installation of subsea equipment.
Ensuring highly accurate navigation down to 6000 meters, Rovins Nano INS will help Sapura to lay flex pipes and deploy subsea hardware onto the seabed, such as templates and manifolds, rigid jumper spools or tie-in-spools. Rovins Nano, equipped with advanced sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, will function as the central component in the ROV’s navigation and positioning system. It will play a vital role in determining the ROV's position, orientation, and velocity with precision, which is essential for the accurate positioning and installation of subsea equipment. This integration is set to optimise Sapura’s overall high operational standards such as efficiency and accuracy.
Felipe Jesus, ROV Manager at Sapura, highlighted, “Our decision to collaborate with Exail for this upgrade was motivated by the goal to modernize our existing systems using cutting-edge technology. The precision and reliability of Exail’s INS align perfectly with our commitment to excellence in subsea operations. This investment underscores our dedication to staying at the forefront of technology and delivering exceptional service to our clients”.
Thiago Montanari, Deputy Sales Director for South Europe & LATAM at Exail, commented, "Sapura sought a reliable, low-maintenance equipment solution that seamlessly aligns with client demands while upholding the highest standards of operational excellence. We are pleased and grateful that Sapura has placed their trust in our solutions. We are confident that our high-performance INS will ensure high satisfaction by delivering the navigation accuracy and reliability required to achieve their operational goals more efficiently”.
Zupt secures first major renewable contract for offshore wind farm development
Zupt just announced winning its first major renewables contract for a unique offshore wind farm development offshore the northwest coast of France. Zupt will develop, source, integrate, and operate a complex sensor suite on a large subsea template to tackle the challenges of this development and support the installation of fixed wind turbine monopiles in shallow and rocky subsea terrains.
Due to the difficult geophysical terrain, the process begins with drilling 10-meter-wide sockets into the seabed, which are then filled with sand to establish a consistent foundation prior to the monopile installation. A custom 20-meter-tall subsea template is then positioned directly atop the sand-filled sockets in absolute space, serving as the base through which the monopiles will be inserted.
Zupt will integrate a complex sensor suite onto the subsea template to monitor and ensure precise positioning and attitude of the large-diameter monopiles during installation. The template used will be relocated and utilized for every monopile installation, with the sensors permanently fixed. This sensor suite contains over 40 advanced sensors, including cameras, lights, acoustic and mechanical proximity sensors, GNSS, multiplexors, and inertial measurement units, all connected to the surface via a 10GB network architecture. These sensors will be strategically placed across the template, and accompanying software will be supplied to facilitate real-time structure monitoring and precise control.
Zupt's development of proprietary sensors placed across the template makes this project unique and cutting-edge. While incorporating some off-the-shelf components, the project primarily features custom-designed sensors such as cameras, lights, mechanical proximity sensors, and a specialized MUX system. This proprietary sensor technology adds value by providing a more cost-effective and efficient solution. For example, the specialized MUX systems, strategically designed to optimize power distribution and communication, offer a practical alternative while reducing overall project expenses.
Zupt's involvement in this project goes beyond the integration of complex sensors; we are actively engaged throughout the project lifecycle, from the initial engineering phases, installation onto the template, and monitoring offshore operations firsthand. With a dedicated team present offshore and an operational strategy spanning around 200+ days, Zupt ensures meticulous attention to detail and operational efficiency.
Zupt's thorough approach involves comprehensive testing phases - factory acceptance tests (FAT) and systems acceptance tests (SAT) to ensure reliability and functionality at every stage before deployment. These tests conducted both at Zupt's facility in Houston and the client fabrication yard, where the template is assembled, ensure the technology's readiness on the template before the offshore operations begin.
The significance of this project isn't solely the magnitude of installing numerous offshore wind turbines but in Zupt's ability to solve complex problems through innovative approaches and technical expertise. By successfully navigating challenging subsea terrains with precision and reliability, Zupt not only contributes to expanding renewable energy but also advances wind farm installation methods. While the project's commencement is scheduled for later in 2024, the detailed planning and preparation highlight the complexity involved in such offshore projects. With Zupt's leading expertise and experience, this project sets a benchmark for efficient, precise, and innovative offshore wind farm installations.
Stay tuned for more updates from Zupt as the offshore wind farm development continues to unfold.
Fugro expands Blue Essence® fleet and receives highest level of UK coastguard approval
Fugro has expanded its 12-metre Blue Essence® uncrewed surface vessel (USV) fleet with the addition of Fugro Vaquita. The latest Blue Essence® has earned Category 0 approval from the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), the highest level of approval for autonomous vessels. It is now the largest USV to operate fully remotely, with unrestricted access, to support marine projects further offshore while enhancing safety and environmental performance.
The expansion of the Blue Essence® fleet demonstrates Fugro’s commitment to leveraging technology for a safe and liveable world. Both USV and electrical remotely operated vehicle (eROV) will be remotely controlled from Fugro’s global network of remote operations centres (ROCs).
This remote operation capability not only removes personnel from potentially high-risk offshore environments but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of operations, with the USV's emissions up to 95% lower than conventional support vessels. Operators can also monitor and control the vessels from anywhere in the world, enabling faster decision-making and access to near real-time data. This information is crucial for optimising project schedules, ensuring safety, and maximising asset performance.
Nick Simmons, Fugro’s Director of USV and Remote Working in Europe and Africa said: “This is a ground-breaking milestone for the maritime sector as we strengthen our capabilities to service assets further offshore. We are thrilled with the development of our Blue Essence® fleet as we commit to more remote operations and progress towards our goal of net zero emissions by 2035.”
The Fugro Vaquita, developed in partnership with SEA-KIT, is the second of the company’s Blue Essence® USV fleet to operate in European waters. In 2023, Fugro Orca completed multiple projects including several asset integrity and seabed surveys for key clients.
Director of OceanExpert Ltd announces new book 'Understanding Metocean - A User Guide for Offshore Renewables and Oil & Gas'
Ian Leggett, Managing Director of OceanExpert Ltd an independent Metocean Consultancy, announces the publication of his new book 'Understanding Metocean - A User Guide for Offshore Renewables and Oil & Gas'.
This book draws on his 45 years of experience in Metocean, providing guidelines, procedures and information for the offshore renewables and oil & gas sectors with regard to the requirements for metocean at each stage of the life cycle of a project. It also provides details about metocean processes and activities that ensure these requirements are addressed. It therefore presents a better understanding of what metocean is all about and how optimum use of data and information can benefit offshore development activities.
Copies are available here and further information on OceanExpert Ltd can be found here.
Technology company Satlink acquires Canadian Xeos Technologies
Satlink, the global leader in proprietary technology solutions for the maritime sector, has acquired Xeos Technologies (“Xeos”), a Canadian company with 20 years of experience in providing specialised asset-tracking solutions and communication services for high-value devices operating under harsh maritime environments and the oceanographic field. Based in Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada), Xeos serves hundreds of public and private customers.
Through this acquisition, Satlink strengthens its position as a strategic provider of high value-added technology for the knowledge and management of oceans. Its cutting-edge developments in data collection and analysis not only enable a better understanding of the oceans and their resources, but also ensure the long-term sustainability of these resources. With over 7,500 clients – including governments, maritime regulators and fisheries – Satlink exports its products and solutions to more than 90 countries.
With this acquisition, Satlink increases its presence in North America, where the company initially established a presence in 2020. As such, Satlink will complement its existing locations in Spain, Korea, Taiwan, Seychelles, Ecuador and Fiji with a new office in Canada. Xeos’ founders and management team will reinvest into Satlink, further strengthening the partnership and future strategic vision. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Faustino Velasco, Founder and Chairman of Satlink, said: “We are very excited to integrate Xeos and welcome the team onboard, with whom we share the same vision for the future: relentless innovation, commitment to quality, and improving ocean knowledge and sustainability through technology. That's where we want to make the difference.”
Derek Inglis, co-Founder and President of Xeos, added: “The agreement with Satlink represents an important recognition for the work done since the company’s foundation. We believe Satlink is the perfect partner for Xeos and will allow the company to accelerate its international expansion while enhancing the current product portfolio, fostering even more innovative solutions and, accordingly, bringing Xeos to the next level. We are thrilled to start this new phase alongside Faustino and the wider Satlink team.”
Geoff MacIntyre, Vice President and General Manager of Xeos, commented: “We are pleased to join a group that not only shares our vision for the sustainability of the oceans, but also demonstrates a genuine commitment to maritime technology. We believe that the combination of our two companies will significantly enhance our ability to serve our clients with world-leading technology and service”.
The International SeaKeepers Society, Maiden and Seabed 2030 join forces to advance ocean research and empower the next generation during the 2023/2024 Ocean Globe Race
The International SeaKeepers Society partners with Maiden as it pauses its world tour to compete in the Ocean Globe Race. Maiden, a vessel with a storied history of breaking barriers and empowering women, aligns seamlessly with SeaKeepers’ mission to advance ocean research and education.
Since September 2021, Maiden has embarked on a global journey spanning nearly 30,000 nautical miles, visiting 20 destinations, and engaging with schools, charities, and organisations. Tracy Edwards MBE, the skipper of the first all-female crew in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World Race, continues her trailblazing legacy by using Maiden to educate, empower, and elevate girls worldwide.
The Ocean Globe Race (OGR), a fully crewed retro race commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, provides an exceptional platform to amplify Maiden’s mission. Edwards and her team faced formidable challenges in the 1989 race, challenging the status quo and paving the way for future generations of female sailors.
Tracy Edwards MBE said: “SeaKeepers’ collaboration with Maiden extends beyond the OGR. Maiden is a proud SeaKeepers program partner and a supporter of The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project. The crew carries the Seabed 2030 logger on board, contributing valuable data to map the ocean floor as part of SeaKeepers’ Citizen Science initiative. The logger was installed before the OGR, and the first leg of data from the UK to Cape Town is already in the hands of SeaKeepers’ Citizen Science team.”
Seabed 2030 Project Director, Jamie McMichael-Phillips, said: "We are delighted by this collaboration and greatly appreciate the support from SeaKeepers, a valued, long-standing partner of Seabed 2030, as well as Maiden, under the leadership of the inspiring Tracy Edwards.
“This partnership stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to forging a path toward a future where the ocean is comprehensively understood and diligently preserved for generations to come. Our mission is a collective endeavour - achievable only through collaborative efforts, such as this, on an international scale."
As Maiden arrived in New Zealand, SeaKeepers’ South Pacific Program Development Manager, Melissa White, welcomed the crew in Auckland, demonstrating SeaKeepers’ global outreach. The collaboration extends to Educational Outreach, with Maiden and SeaKeepers’ co-creating an international online program to inspire the next generation of ocean enthusiasts.
SeaKeepers' Director of International Relations, Gill Rodrigues, commented: “Maiden’s journey is not just a race around the globe; it’s a testament to the resilience and capability of women in sailing. Their dedication to education, empowerment, and ocean research reflects SeaKeepers’ mission, making this partnership a powerful force for positive change.”
HydroWing creates unique new barge to service its tidal energy technology
HydroWing has designed an innovative new barge which will help drive down the cost of installation and maintenance for its patented tidal stream array technology.
HydroWing is designed to be a cost-effective and scalable solution to tidal stream energy generation and was the largest tidal stream project in Wales to be successful in the UK government’s latest Contracts for Difference round, having been awarded a 10MW project at the Morlais tidal energy site in Anglesey.
Commercialisation of the tidal energy sector has so far been held back by high operations and maintenance costs. HydroWing’s next generation technology addresses that challenge head on. Its HydroWing technology offers a modular, reliable solution, based on its unique patented design. The wing system streamlines operations and maintenance by allowing for removal of sets of tidal energy turbines without the need to remove or work on the foundations. The new Quad Hull Barge is the latest innovation to the HydroWing system, which further increases productivity and drives down costs.
Richard Parkinson, MD of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, which is the parent company for HydroWing, said: “ Deployment, recovery, and operations and maintenance are large factors in determining the levelized cost of electricity. However, offshore construction vessel availability is very weak with expensive day rates. This means that the cost of planned and unplanned offshore operations is very high. HydroWing’s new Quad Hull Barge has been specifically designed to tackle this issue, driving down costs and ensuring the turbines can be effectively maintained at low cost and with reduced downtime.
“By using four hulls connected by crossbeams and arch support beams, the limit to load width is dramatically increased. Where commercial vessels would typically need to place the load onto the deck with little to no overhang of the load, the Quad Hull Barge locks the load after lifting to the arch. This reduces offshore handling and makes the operation much safer. It means that the width of the load can be independent of the vessel width.
“Our new Quad Hull Barge represents a major leap forward for the sector. The design ticks all the important boxes for offshore operators. It is modular, so it can be transported by road and assembled at site. As it is modular, it can also easily be scaled up for larger turbines. The four pontoons are 25 tonnes each and can be transported by road, which reduces manufacturing costs. It is low drag and easier to tow and can therefore be handled by small, locally available tugs. All of these factors will help to lower the cost of each intervention. In addition, it is on permanent standby and can be deployed quickly, which will help operators to reduce production downtime.
“The Quad Hull Barge will mean that our HydroWing tidal energy arrays can be serviced by existing port infrastructure, rather than requiring major new investment, which is one of the keys to ensuring that the sector achieves profitable growth into the future. We believe our HydroWing technology will unlock the commercial potential of tidal energy worldwide.”
The company has filed a patent application to protect its unique Quad Hull Barge design.
HydroWing opens new base in Wales to deliver its groundbreaking tidal energy project
HydroWing has kicked off the New Year by opening a new office in Wales, to support the development of its innovative tidal stream energy project at Morlais on Anglesey.
The company has been awarded a contract through the latest round of the UK Government’s ‘Contracts for Difference’ allocation for a 10 MW tidal stream energy project at Morlais, the UK’s largest consented tidal energy scheme.
Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, the parent company of HydroWing, says: “Our vision is to become the world leader in tidal array technology. Our project at Morlais will be a key step on this journey and opening the new office in Wales is an important milestone for us.”
The new office is based at M-SParc, a science park on Anglesey, owned by Bangor University. The office will be led by Commercial Manager Osian Roberts, who was born and raised on Anglesey and has considerable international experience in the offshore renewable energy sector. He will lead a team to be based at M-SParc, creating significant new employment in the region.
Richard Parkinson adds: “Commercialisation of tidal stream energy has so far been held back by high operations and maintenance costs. Our HydroWing technology meets that challenge head on. It will help unlock the commercial viability of tidal stream energy around the world, offering a low cost, reliable source of renewable energy for generations to come.”
HydroWing technology is based on a unique patented modular design that dramatically improves the cost-efficiency and production of tidal stream energy.
Simon Cheeseman, Sector Lead on Wave and Tidal Energy at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, says: “Tidal energy is a crucial part of the mix to achieve net zero targets globally. The team at Inyanga Marine Energy Group has unrivalled experience in the sector, having deployed more than half of all tidal stream energy devices worldwide. So it is great to see their immense knowledge and experience informing the design and deployment strategy for HydroWing, a technology that is helping deliver sector innovation.”
The HydroWing project at Morlais will be deployed in 2027.
GEOxyz expands with 2 new offices in Southern Europe
GEOxyz, a leading provider of offshore survey solutions, is excited to announce the opening of its brand-new offices in the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands.
The strategically chosen locations in Alicante, nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, and Las Palmas, the Canary Islands, positions GEOxyz to actively engage with the challenges and opportunities that arise in these regions. This localised approach is integral to GEOxyz's commitment to delivering high-quality survey solutions that meet the unique needs of each market.
By opening offices in Southern Europe, GEOxyz aims to gain a deeper understanding of the distinct dynamics at play in these areas, as well as contribute to the development of sustainable solutions tailored to these markets' specific needs.
The new offices in Alicante and Las Palmas will be led by Area Manager, Roger Mir. "We are excited about the tremendous potential the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands hold for GEOxyz. Our new offices allow us to engage with local stakeholders more effectively, and we look forward to contributing our expertise to the regions’ development," says Roger.