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Norwegian technology firm Kystdesign has secured a contract with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) to develop an advanced remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for the Dutch marine research community. The agreement was formalized by NIOZ Director Han Dolman and Kystdesign Director Tore Nedland.
Set for delivery in June 2026, the Supporter 6000 ROV is engineered for ultra-deepwater operations, reaching depths of up to 6,000 meters. The three-meter-long, 4.5-tonne vehicle features 24 proportionally controlled hydraulic functions and an advanced control system prepared for AutoPOS and AutoTRACK capabilities. Additionally, it will support over-the-horizon control from a remote operation center (ROC) onshore.
Gert-Jan Reichart, Head of the NIOZ Ocean Systems department, emphasized the ROV’s significance for Dutch marine research. “We currently don’t have anything like it available. The robot will take over tasks humans cannot perform at great depths. With its six high-resolution cameras and strong gripping arms, it becomes our eyes and hands underwater—one arm even rotates along seven different axes, exceeding human capability.”
The ROV will be stationed aboard the research vessel Anna Weber-van Bosse, the future flagship of the Dutch research fleet. It comes equipped with cutting-edge technology, including Multi Beam instruments for seabed mapping, a vacuum tube for collecting small sea creatures, and the ability to perform 3D scans. Additionally, it will analyze deep-sea hydrothermal vents, measuring temperatures and collecting metal samples.
According to Kystdesign, the ROV also integrates 41 electrical connectors to interface with external tools, survey sensors, and additional cameras, further enhancing its research capabilities. Reichart noted, “This vehicle offers researchers extra hands on the ocean floor. It can clear sediment for better visibility, conduct precise scans, and provide critical environmental data.”
News Source- https://kystdesign.no/2025/01/press-release/
