Advanced underwater vehicle goes on first mission to chart Norwegian Sea’s subseascape

An advanced underwater vehicle (AUV), obtained by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD), a government agency responsible for managing and overseeing Norway’s offshore energy and subsurface resources, has embarked on its first assignment to map subsea areas in the northern Norwegian Sea.

While underwater areas have been mapped since the 1800s, simple weights were used in the early days to measure water depth and give the first indications of subsea structures and seabed morphology. There have been substantial technological developments since then, drastically expanding the understanding of the underwater world.

The mapping is mainly achieved using ship-based multibeam echo sounders these days, which provide detailed overviews of the seabed. This data is supplemented with even higher-resolution surveys using AUVs, but this kind of advanced mapping used to be contracted out to private businesses.

However, Norway’s Ministry of Energy funded the procurement of a HUGIN Superior AUV in 2025 through the Norwegian Offshore Directorate. This vehicle will be operated by the Norwegian Marine Data Centre (NORMAR), which is affiliated with the University of Bergen.

The AUV recently began its first expedition in the northern Norwegian Sea. Before starting its first job in early June 2026, the AUV was christened in Bergen, with multiple representatives attending the event, including those from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, the Ministry of Energy, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, and the Kongsberg Group.

Hilde Braut, Assistant Director for New Industries, highlighted: “This is important for Norway. Now that we have access to our own advanced mapping resources, we’re enhancing both the knowledge base and our ability to understand and manage deep sea areas in a responsible way. We’re looking forward to receiving data of very high quality – and to further refining knowledge about Norwegian deep sea areas!”

The procured AUV can operate at depths of up to 6,000 meters, collecting high-resolution data about the seabed. This vehicle is capable of mapping structures and objects with very high precision using sonar, where sound waves are emitted and reflected.

“In many ways, it operates like a bat underwater, orienting itself and gathering information using audio waves,” emphasized the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.

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