Trondheim is taking another step to reinforce its position as a leading technology city within ocean technology. Testination has now entered into a partnership with Nyhavna Utvikling through the company Dora 2 AS, aiming to improve access to testing and development infrastructure in the city.

Testination is an initiative that connects companies with testing facilities and competence environments. It is part of the Norwegian Catapult programme for autonomy and control rooms, and is designed to make it easier to develop, test, and verify new ocean technologies. The collaboration is focused on the development of Nyhavna, an industrial and port area currently being transformed into a new urban district combining industry, technology, and urban development.

From seabed to space

The technologies and solutions that can be developed and tested span a wide range—from seabed and subsea systems and maritime technology to autonomous solutions, sensors, and control systems. These may also have applications in other demanding environments, including space-related and high-tech use cases.

At the core of the collaboration are the facilities in and around Dora 2 at Nyhavna. The robust German bunker structures from World War II represent a unique infrastructure in a national context and will now be used even more extensively for technology testing and development—both in controlled and sheltered environments such as pools and docks, as well as in a harsh harbour basin and a deep fjord with varied weather conditions.

Frode Halvorsen, Testination, Erik Erlien and Ragnar Eggen, Nyhavna Utvikling. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri 

Through its ownership in Dora 2 AS, Nyhavna Utvikling will play a central role in how the facilities are further developed and utilized by existing and new companies and research environments.

– This partnership is about bringing together and strengthening the innovation ecosystem for ocean technology in Trondheim. By more closely linking infrastructure, real estate, and technological expertise, we are creating better conditions for innovation and value creation, says Erik Erlien, Managing Director of Nyhavna Utvikling AS.

– Access to relevant testing facilities is often crucial for companies to succeed in development and scaling. This collaboration helps strengthen Trondheim as an attractive arena for ocean technology and solutions for demanding environments, says Frode Halvorsen, Head of Testination and Ocean Autonomy Cluster.

The partners believe the collaboration will lead to increased activity, more development projects, and stronger international appeal for Trondheim as a technology hub.

– The ambition is to make it easier for both established players and new companies to test and further develop solutions here in Trondheim, Halvorsen adds.