Aker BioMarine orders unmanned surface vehicle to reduce carbon footprint and optimize krill harvesting

Image courtesy of Aker BioMarine

To further reduce its carbon footprint and optimize krill harvesting in Antarctic, Aker BioMarine (Oslo, Norway) ordered a new Sounder USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) from Kongsberg Maritime. The USV is also equipped to collect valuable scientific data. In 2020, the company launched an unmanned solar-powered ocean data drone (Sailbuoy) to collect detailed data on the krill biomass, in 2020. The USV will further this investment.

“With this USV, we will further reduce our fuel consumption when looking for krill,” said Frank Grebstad, senior vice president of vessel operations at Aker BioMarine, in a press release. “Data from the USV will help our vessels navigate more efficiently, and thereby help minimize our CO2 footprint. We chose Kongsberg Maritime because of their experience and technical expertise, and this USV represents a versatile and reliable platform to help us reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

As part of the agreement, the two companies will co-operate to further develop the USV together with scientific advice from REV Ocean, a not-for-profit company with a mission to make the ocean healthy again. 

“This new agreement with Aker BioMarine is very exciting. The ability to collect precise data effectively from the ocean is important to make fisheries more sustainable. Further developing and advancing this technology will be invaluable in making the job of scientists easier,” said Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean, in a press release.