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    1. Vessels

    UAE authorizes Fugro USV for subsea inspections

    April 13, 2023
    The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has awarded Fugro’s uncrewed surface vessel Fugro Pegasus full navigation licensing.
    Courtesy Fugro
    Fugro Pegasus Usv 6438895b17b8f

    Offshore staff

    LEIDSCHENDAM, the Netherlands — The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has awarded Fugro’s uncrewed surface vessel Fugro Pegasus full navigation licensing.

    According to the company, the 12-m Blue Essence over-the-horizon vessel is the first in its class to attain full registration in the Emirates.

    SEA-KIT International constructed the vessel, which is designed for inspecting subsea facilities.

    Teams at Fugro's onshore remote operations centers worldwide can control the vessel remotely, leading to a reduction of 95% in emissions compared to conventional vessel operations, the company claimed.

    "There were no existing regulations for uncrewed vessels, so we formed a working group with UAE authorities and local partners to facilitate the process," said Hannes Swiegers, director of remote operations, Middle East and India.

    04.13.2023

    Related

    Courtesy Fugro
    Fugro utilized an ROV deployed from the Fugro Aquarius to conduct the survey.
    (Courtesy Fugro)
    The Blue Essence USV Fugro Orca.
    (Courtesy Fugro)
    The Fugro Maali is the first Blue Essence USV in service anywhere in the world. The name Maali is a Noongar term for “black swan,” which is both the state bird and emblem of Western Australia, where the USV is based.
    (Courtesy Fugro)
    An AUV being recovered into a SEA-KIT uncrewed surface vessel.