The Future of Long-endurance Low-carbon Survey is Here: Sulmara Inks Services Agreement for 10 Saildrone Voyager USVs

Saildrone and Sulmara commit to growing the adoption of USV survey in the offshore energy sector across the globe.

Sulmara has signed a contract with Saildrone to globally deploy and operate 10 Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). This is one of the largest single orders for unmanned vehicles in the survey sector and will be operated from remote operation centers in Glasgow, UK, San Francisco, CA, and St. Petersburg, FL, in the US and Singapore.

Sulmara and Saildrone have established a joint working group to drive the adoption of low-carbon USV-based survey and inspection across the global offshore energy sector, removing the reliance on manned vessels and ultimately lowering the carbon footprint of energy generation offshore. 

This contract between Sulmara and Saildrone marks a new era for USV operations. The Voyager’s operational endurance of up to 90 days, without a crewed support vessel, is unprecedented for any IHO-compliant survey USV and further innovation in data acquisition and reporting systems will deliver improved efficiency and real-time QC far beyond what is currently capable from unmanned survey platforms in the sector.

The Saildrone Voyager is 33 feet (10 m) long and carries an impressive payload for survey operations including high-resolution MBES and Innomar SBP systems. It is the only survey USV that can deliver long-duration IHO-compliant multibeam mapping surveys and ocean data collection at depths up to 985 feet (300 m). The systems are also configured for acoustic and atmospheric ocean data and maritime security payloads. The Voyager, the newest model in the Saildrone lineup, joins the 23-foot (7 m) long Saildrone Explorer and 72-foot (22 m) long Saildrone Surveyor, which is capable of IHO-compliant multibeam mapping down to 23,000 feet (7,000 m).

CEO of Sulmara Kevin McBarron said:

“We aim to change what the future will say about offshore energy because environmental impact doesn’t stay offshore. Collaboration is key in advancing technologies and reducing costs to both our clients and the planet. Having Saildrone as a like-minded partner on this journey is key in enabling Sulmara to meet our commitments to the Carbon Pledge and beyond.” 

“We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Sulmara. High-resolution maps of the seabed are essential to help protect and grow the blue economy and facilitate sustainable aquaculture and offshore energy,” said Saildrone founder and CEO Richard Jenkins. “Uncrewed systems can do far more, at far lower costs than traditional approaches. We are very excited to operationalize our new Voyager fleet, with Sulmara, in the energy industry.”

About Saildrone

Navigating an ocean of data. Delivering a world of possibility.

Saildrone provides comprehensive data solutions for defense, commercial, and research, enabling real-time access to critical data from any ocean on Earth. Proprietary software applications and machine learning technology transform that data into actionable insights and intelligence for maritime security, ocean mapping, and science. Saildrone’s fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, are designed to scale ocean data collection with a minimum carbon footprint. Saildrone vehicles operate 24/7/365 without the need for a support vessel. Saildrone USVs have sailed more than 1,000,000 nautical miles from the Arctic to the Antarctic and spent over 32,000 days at sea in the harshest ocean conditions on the planet.

About Sulmara

Offshore data. De-risked. Decarbonised. Delivered.

Sulmara Subsea exists to bring agile, disruptive and innovative services to the Offshore Energy Sector pioneering low carbon solutions to minimize the impact of energy creation on the environment. Sulmara is the only multi-platform USV operator delivering globally. Sulmara’s solutions are delivered by selecting the correct platform and methodology for evert project, creating a robust alternative to traditional service offerings, while contributing to a more sustainable future for the energy industry. To find out more about more Sulmara, go to sulmara.com

Contact Us

Jenn Virskus
Director Marketing, Saildrone
Office: (510) 956-8361
jenn.virskus@saildrone.com