Fugro has placed an order for two unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in a series from UK-based Sea-Kit International.
One of the USVs will be deployed to the Asia-Pacific region while the other is slated for work in the North Sea.
The USV that will be deployed to the Asia-Pacific will be used to conduct completely uncrewed ROV pipeline inspections in up to 400 metres water depth on Australia's North West Shelf. Construction on this vessel has already begun at Sea-Kit's facilities in Tollesbury, Essex.
Sea-Kit claims the new USVs will consume up to 95 per cent less fuel compared to traditional, crewed vessels.