ADNOC Logistics & Services, the maritime logistics and transport arm of ADNOC, has signed an agreement with SeaOwl for the design of unmanned supply vessels capable of transporting vehicles, equipment and supplies to and from offshore locations.
ADNOC said the agreement was signed by ADNOC L&S CEO Abdulkareem Al Masabi and SeaOwl CEO Xavier Génin at the UAE Climate Technology Forum hosted by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
According to the UAE giant, the unmanned vessel design will reduce carbon emissions by up to 30 percent as the vessel will be lighter and smaller as there is no need for facilities for a crew. In addition, intelligent automation systems will optimize routing and propulsion, further decarbonizing ADNOC L&S’s offshore operations in support of the UAE’s 2050 Net Zero Strategic Initiative and Sustainability Agenda 2030 from ADNOC, ADNOC noted.
“A strategic commitment to sustainability and innovation plays a crucial role in ADNOC L&S’s ability to serve its customers. The vessel is another example of this commitment as we leverage the latest technology to optimize our maritime operations, reduce our carbon footprint and improve safety while increasing efficiency,” Al Masabi said.
The 55-metre-long vessel design will allow the vessels to be operated from a control room on land via a satellite link using the latest automation and self-navigation technology, ADNOC said. The design will use AI systems to control propulsion, dynamic positioning, remote communication and cyber security, he added.
SeaOwl, a French company specializing in the automation and digitization of maritime services, will design the vessel, oversee its construction and facilitate navigation permits. SeaOwl will partner with Bureau Veritas to obtain the necessary navigation permits from the UAE Shipping Affairs.
“Following the success of our proof of concept with the support of the French government, we are delighted to join forces with ADNOC L&S to bring a new era of sustainable logistics operations through digital automation. This project will create strong ties with the UAE industrial landscape as we plan to engage many other UAE players in this exciting journey,” said Génin.
On April 13, geospatial data provider Fugro announced that it had received the country’s full navigation license for the 12-meter Blue Essence unmanned surface vessel (USV), the Fugro Pegasus.
Fugro said this was the first registration of a USV over the horizon in the country, “making the Fugro Blue Essence USV the first vessel in its class to meet the operational standards of multiple independent maritime authorities.”
The Blue Essence can be controlled from anywhere in the world and was designed to inspect underwater assets. It also incorporates the Blue Volta e-ROV, which extends the inspection portfolio up to 400 meters (1,312 feet) of water depth.
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