--- title: News (4) description: (4) --- [![Dark\_yellow-fill\_POS\_powbyFI](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Dark_yellow-fill_POS_powbyFI.png?width=350&height=49&name=Dark_yellow-fill_POS_powbyFI.png)](https://oceanautonomy.no?hsLang=en-us) - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news?hsLang=en-us) - ABOUT - [CLUSTER AND TEAM](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/clusterandteam?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERSHIP](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/membership?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/members?hsLang=en-us) - PROJECTS - [Dark Drones](https://oceanautonomy.no/dark-drones?hsLang=en-us) - [FI Ocean Space Incubator](https://fi-nor.no/en/oceanspaceincubator/) - [Frostabåten](https://oceanautonomy.no/frostab%C3%A5ten?hsLang=en-us) - [Maritimt studentsenter Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/maritimt-studentsenter-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS - Mennesket i framtidens havromsoperasjoner](https://oceanautonomy.no/nb/project_midas?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS Academy](https://midas-academy.no/) - [ROC - Remote Operation Centres for next-generation maritime autonomy](https://oceanautonomy.no/project_roc-remote-operation-centres-for-next-generation-maritime-autonomy?hsLang=en-us) - [Strategisk forum Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/no-no/project-strategisk-forum-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [Testination](https://testination.io/) - [XLRTR - Accelerate Dual-Use Technology for Multi-domain Operations](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/xlrtr?hsLang=en-us) - Completed projects - [AGATI - Adriatic Green Autonomous Transport Initiative](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_agati?hsLang=en-us) - [DIGIFJORD](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_digifjord?hsLang=en-us) - [FAST - Flexible Autonomous Smart Transport](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_fast?hsLang=en-us) - [FLEX FERRY](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_flexferry?hsLang=en-us) - [MATIN - The Croatia – Norway Marine Technology Innovation network](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_matin?hsLang=en-us) - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news?hsLang=en-us) - ABOUT - [CLUSTER AND TEAM](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/clusterandteam?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERSHIP](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/membership?hsLang=en-us) - [MEMBERS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/members?hsLang=en-us) - PROJECTS - [Dark Drones](https://oceanautonomy.no/dark-drones?hsLang=en-us) - [FI Ocean Space Incubator](https://fi-nor.no/en/oceanspaceincubator/) - [Frostabåten](https://oceanautonomy.no/frostab%C3%A5ten?hsLang=en-us) - [Maritimt studentsenter Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/maritimt-studentsenter-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS - Mennesket i framtidens havromsoperasjoner](https://oceanautonomy.no/nb/project_midas?hsLang=en-us) - [MIDAS Academy](https://midas-academy.no/) - [ROC - Remote Operation Centres for next-generation maritime autonomy](https://oceanautonomy.no/project_roc-remote-operation-centres-for-next-generation-maritime-autonomy?hsLang=en-us) - [Strategisk forum Nyhavna](https://oceanautonomy.no/no-no/project-strategisk-forum-nyhavna?hsLang=en-us) - [Testination](https://testination.io/) - [XLRTR - Accelerate Dual-Use Technology for Multi-domain Operations](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/xlrtr?hsLang=en-us) - Completed projects - [AGATI - Adriatic Green Autonomous Transport Initiative](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_agati?hsLang=en-us) - [DIGIFJORD](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_digifjord?hsLang=en-us) - [FAST - Flexible Autonomous Smart Transport](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_fast?hsLang=en-us) - [FLEX FERRY](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_flexferry?hsLang=en-us) - [MATIN - The Croatia – Norway Marine Technology Innovation network](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/project_matin?hsLang=en-us) [Get in touch](https://26558673.hs-sites-eu1.com/contactus?hsLang=en-us) - [English - United States](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews) - [Norwegian](https://oceanautonomy.no/no/nyhetstest) # News ### Browse by: Everything Uncategorized NTNU Maritime Robotics Autonomus MIDAS NORDSEC Autonomous Blueye Robotics Eelume Drones Nyhavna Trondheim News Zeabuz New member Defence Shore Control Lab Testination innovation Frostabåten SINTEF SentiSystems USV Njord Ocean Access Autonomy Clarify Croatia Dual use Navigation OceanTech sensor AUV Candela Skarv Technologies Ukraine Water Linked subsea AI Course Safety TMA BlueTech Clean Sea Solutions Events Forsvarskonferansen Fremtidens Industri Hydrofoil Kongsberg Njord Challenge Squarehead Tocaro Blue XLRTR oceanaccess security AQUA Ocean Biodrone ESA Innovamare Innovasjon Norge MIDAS Academy NATO ROC ROV Radar San Diego Acoustic Arendalsuka Automation Breach VR Design Drone Enforce Tac FFI Fjord1 Fugro GNSS Inventas Maritimt Forum NORBIT Nordic USV Nyhavna Utvikling Ocean Space Incubator Students Trondheim Havn VR demo robot AUR-Lab After Sea Agati Andreas Mauritzen Anschütz Boreal Computas Dark Drones Design for manufacturing Digital Innovation Hub Digital Norway Drowning ESA BIC Electric FI Ocean Space incubator Ferry Fredrik Lilleøkdal Frode Halvorsen Frosta Germany Gjallarhorn Halogen Havet Industrial design Kace Kongsberg Discovery Lavik-Oppedal Link Nordic Marinor NTNU Maritime Guardian NORTEK NUCC Navier USN Norbit Oceans Norse Navigation Otter Pamela Remote Operation Center Telia Tore O. Sandvik Trondheim municipality UAV Unplugged Varjo XR-4 Zaporizhzhia buoy communication 5G 6hour ANOX Adolf Øien Entrepreneurial Grant Adolf Øiens Fond Aether Agean University Arendal Ascend NTNU Australia Autoagri Autonomous Maritime Solutions Ava Ocean BOA Offshore Battery Bergen Bessy Biospherical Instruments Blue Ocean Gear Brasil Breakfast seminar Busniess Turku Bård Eker CGO Automasjon Captains log Catharina Frostad Chamber of Commerce Commercialisation Concrest Energy Copenhagen Group Corax DALO DEME DK Nejet Damen Shipyards Group Dark vessel Defence Innovation Highway Denmark Diagnostics Dora Dreamcatcher Drone Party Droneport Rotterdam Dubai Dutch EMRA EU EUDIS EUROCEAN EUROMARITIME Eagle Ray Robotics Ebbe Deraas Ecotone Electronics Enova Epoke Equinor Exail Export F & Z Solutions F&Z Solutions FarSounder Felix-Marcel Petermann Finland FlexFerry Forssea Robotics Fosnavåg Frokostmøte Furuno GCE Blue Maritime Cluster GPS Ghost fishing Ghost traps Green Bay Hackathon Handelskammer Havnesikring Havteknologi Hefring Marine Horten Human control Hurum plastindustri Hydrogen ITS Iceland Innovation JBA Innovation Prize Jamming Jan De Nul Jet NTNU Jon Bernhard Høstmark KAHU KI Kadabra Katapult Knightec Kroatia Kyiv LEGO LGr Technologies Latvia Leif Arne Tønnessen MARBLE MASSworld News MATIN MIDSEC MIR Machinery monitoring Maintenance Marianne Sivertsen Næss Marine AI Marit Gartland Maritime Sustainability Task Force Maritime head-Up Display Maskindynamikk Metal Shark ## [Norse Navigation joins Ocean Autonomy Cluster to strengthen resilient maritime navigation](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/norse-navigation-joins-ocean-autonomy-cluster-to-strengthen-resilient-maritime-navigation) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 18, 2026, 3:02:22 PM Norse Navigation AS has joined Ocean Autonomy Cluster, bringing new momentum to resilient and... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/norse-navigation-joins-ocean-autonomy-cluster-to-strengthen-resilient-maritime-navigation) ## [Blue Ocean Gear strengthens ties with Norwegian maritime ecosystem](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/blue-ocean-gear-strengthens-ties-with-norwegian-maritime-ecosystem) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 17, 2026, 6:12:02 PM California-based [Blue Ocean Gear](https://www.blueoceangear.com/) recently participated in the TMA Bluetech Trade Mission Norway,... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/blue-ocean-gear-strengthens-ties-with-norwegian-maritime-ecosystem) ## [Students showcase next-generation shore control solutions at NTNU Shore Control Lab](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/students-showcase-next-generation-shore-control-solutions-at-ntnu-shore-control-lab) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 12, 2026, 10:09:28 PM Four presentations by master's students from NTNU Department of Design were recently held at the... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/students-showcase-next-generation-shore-control-solutions-at-ntnu-shore-control-lab) ## [Maritime Robotics raises €28 million as autonomous sea drones move into global large‑scale adoption](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/maritime-robotics-raises-28-million-as-autonomous-sea-drones-move-into-global-large-scale-adoption) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 12, 2026, 2:34:31 PM Maritime Robotics, member of Ocean Autonomy Cluster and a leading provider of autonomous maritime... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/maritime-robotics-raises-28-million-as-autonomous-sea-drones-move-into-global-large-scale-adoption) ## [U.S. sensor company Biospherical Instruments sees Trondheim as key gateway for ocean autonomy partnerships](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/u.s.-sensor-company-biospherical-instruments-sees-trondheim-as-key-gateway-for-ocean-autonomy-partnerships) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 11, 2026, 10:08:30 AM American ocean technology company Biospherical Instruments is looking to expand its international... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/u.s.-sensor-company-biospherical-instruments-sees-trondheim-as-key-gateway-for-ocean-autonomy-partnerships) ## [Tocaro Blue sees strong potential for collaboration in Norway](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tocaro-blue-sees-strong-potential-for-collaboration-in-norway) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 11, 2026, 8:37:02 AM Tocaro Blue is strengthening its European ambitions following participation in the TMA Bluetech... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tocaro-blue-sees-strong-potential-for-collaboration-in-norway) ## [SpareBank 1 SMN strengthens Norway’s ocean technology ecosystem](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/sparebank-1-smn-strengthens-norways-ocean-technology-ecosystem) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 9, 2026, 9:02:55 AM [Les saken på norsk](https://fi-nor.no/sparebank-1-smn-styrker-det-norske-havteknologi-okosystemet/) [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/sparebank-1-smn-strengthens-norways-ocean-technology-ecosystem) ## [U.S. ocean technology companies explored Norwegian autonomy ecosystem through Trondheim trade mission](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/u.s.-ocean-technology-companies-explored-norwegian-autonomy-ecosystem-through-trondheim-trade-mission) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 5, 2026, 3:35:13 PM [Les saken på norsk](https://fi-nor.no/amerikanske-havteknologiselskaper-utforsker-det-norske-autonomimiljoet-i-trondheim/) A delegation of U.S. ocean technology and maritime defence companies visited... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/u.s.-ocean-technology-companies-explored-norwegian-autonomy-ecosystem-through-trondheim-trade-mission) ## [Siri Kalvig: "Maritime Robotics is one of my favourite portfolio companies”](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/siri-kalvig-maritime-robotics-is-one-of-my-favourite-portfolio-companies) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | Jun 5, 2026, 9:39:59 AM [Les saken på norsk](https://fi-nor.no/siri-kalvig-maritime-robotics-er-et-av-favorittportefoljeselskapene-mine/) Maritime autonomy is becoming increasingly important for both climate and... [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/siri-kalvig-maritime-robotics-is-one-of-my-favourite-portfolio-companies) ## [Uncrewed maritime operations accelerating rapidly across Norwegian ocean technology sector](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/uncrewed-maritime-operations-accelerating-rapidly-across-norwegian-ocean-technology-sector) Posted by [Lars Bugge Aarset](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset) | May 30, 2026, 7:19:07 PM [**Les saken på norsk**](https://www.maritimt-forum.no/aktuelt/norske-selskaper-driver-frem-neste-generasjon-ubemannede-og-autonome-maritime-operasjoner) **The development of autonomous and remote maritime operations is accelerating...** [CONTINUE READING](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/uncrewed-maritime-operations-accelerating-rapidly-across-norwegian-ocean-technology-sector) ## On the same subject ### [Breach VR: Reality is cross-platform](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/breach-vr-reality-is-cross-platform) [Aida Refvik Angell](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/aida-refvik-angell) [VR](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/vr), [Breach VR](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/breach-vr) ### [The Ocean Space Incubator in Trøndelag: Will strengthen Norway’s position in ocean space technology](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/the-ocean-space-incubator-will-strengthen-norways-position-in-ocean-space-technology) [Birgit Thorsen](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/birgit-thorsen) [Uncategorized](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/uncategorized) ### [Autonomimiljøet i Midt-Norge får støtte til millionprosjekt](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/autonomimiljoet-i-midt-norge-far-stotte-til-millionprosjekt) [malin](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/malin) [Uncategorized](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tag/uncategorized) - - [2](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/page/2) - [3](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/page/3) - [4](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/page/4) - [5](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/page/5) - [6](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/page/6) - ##### About Ocean Autonomy Cluster Ocean Autonomy Cluster is awarded The ECEI BRONZE Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence” [![Bronze label](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Bronze%20label.png?width=180&height=70&name=Bronze%20label.png)](https://www.cluster-analysis.org/benchmarked-clusters)   ##### Links - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news) - ABOUT - PROJECTS - [NEWS](https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/news) ##### Contact us [Frode@fi-nor.no](mailto:Frode@fi-nor.no) +47 918 45 969 Skippergata 14 - 7040 Trondheim-NORWAY [Subscribe for newsletter](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1drRpuCknT9Gj2pUOE-9pVgft8sx) ![Dark\_yellow-fill\_POS (3)](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png?width=322&height=45&name=Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png) [![FI\_logo\_stor](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/FI_logo_stor.png?width=41&height=41&name=FI_logo_stor.png)](https://fi-nor.no/) ![FI - redigert logo](https://oceanautonomy.no/hs-fs/hubfs/FI%20-%20redigert%20logo.png?width=174&height=58&name=FI%20-%20redigert%20logo.png)    ©2026 Copyright . All rights reserved. [Privacy policy](https://oceanautonomy.no/privacy-policy?hsLang=en-us) - - - ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Norse Navigation AS has joined Ocean Autonomy Cluster, bringing new momentum to resilient and cost-efficient maritime navigation. The Trondheim-based company is ready to challenge a large, global and slow-moving maritime navigation market. Europe has already invested heavily in world-class space infrastructure for positioning and navigation, but much of its potential has not yet reached everyday maritime operations. Modern resilience technology exists, but it has not been packaged and priced in a way that allows broad market adoption. Norse Navigation aims to change that, with the first products planned for early 2027. Today, many vessels still rely on conventional navigation sensors, while new resilience needs are often handled through expensive add-ons or non-certified decision-support systems. These systems may be useful, but they can also add complexity and create parallel information flows next to the ship’s main navigation displays. Norse Navigation takes a different approach. The company is building resilience into the certified navigation equipment itself. The ambition is to make safer and more trustworthy navigation available at scale for commercial vessels and USVs, not only for high-end, defence or niche applications. Kristian Knudtzon (Chair of the Board), Henrik Foss (CEO), Thomas Lund (COO), and Gulleik Olsen (Project Manager). Photo: Norse Navigation The company focuses on practical products for real vessel deployment: fewer boxes, simpler commissioning, clear user interfaces and lower lifecycle cost. As commercial vessels and USVs become more automated and connected, trusted navigation data becomes even more critical. “For us, the opportunity is not just to add more technology to the bridge. It is to challenge an established market with resilient navigation products that can actually scale. The maritime industry needs solutions that are certified, cost-efficient, easy to install and easy to trust in real operations. That is what we are building,” says Henrik Foss, Founder and CEO of Norse Navigation. “For Norse, Ocean Autonomy Cluster is a valuable arena for meeting companies that are working on many of the same challenges from different angles. We already work closely with vessel owners, integrators and technology providers, but clusters like this help create the conversations, shared understanding and collaboration needed to move the whole industry forward faster than any one company can do alone,” says Foss. Norse Navigation brings experience from maritime navigation, product certification, cyber-secure system design and industrial product development. The company’s broader ambition is to make resilient navigation a practical upgrade path for the maritime mass market.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "18/06/2026", "datePublished" : "18/06/2026", "headline" : "Norse Navigation joins Ocean Autonomy Cluster to strengthen resilient maritime navigation", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Norse%20navigation.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/norse-navigation-joins-ocean-autonomy-cluster-to-strengthen-resilient-maritime-navigation", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "California-based Blue Ocean Gear recently participated in the TMA Bluetech Trade Mission Norway, engaging with key stakeholders across the Norwegian maritime cluster ecosystem, with a particular focus on offshore energy and defense applications. Blue Ocean Gear is a leader in Smart Buoy Technology for tracking offshore assets and delivering mission-critical ocean data for both commercial industry and defense operations. Designed by Silicon Valley engineers in partnership with commercial fishers operating in some of the harshest marine environments, the company’s low-cost, patented buoys are ruggedized for performance from Arctic to Antarctic regions. The systems are widely deployed across global waters, with remotely configurable sensor transmission enabling flexible use cases across surface and subsea operations. Their technology is built to support a broad range of applications, from offshore logistics and fisheries to maritime domain awareness and defense-related situational awareness, with customers operating in every ocean globally. Kortney Opshaug, CEO and Founder at Blue Ocean Gear Inc, said: “I joined the Trade Mission to Norway with the goal of seeking new applications and partnerships within the Norwegian maritime ecosystem, particularly with offshore energy and defense applications. The wide range of companies we were able to meet with was impressive, and there is clearly a great potential for the business in the Norwegian market.” The Trade Mission Norway is a curated programme that connects international technology companies with Norway’s maritime innovation ecosystem, facilitating meetings with industry players, cluster organizations and relevant stakeholders exploring collaboration and market opportunities in areas such as offshore energy, autonomy and defense. Blue Ocean Gear’s participation underscores growing international interest in Norway as a testbed and collaboration hub for ocean technology innovation, supported by environments such as the Ocean Autonomy Cluster.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "17/06/2026", "datePublished" : "17/06/2026", "headline" : "Blue Ocean Gear strengthens ties with Norwegian maritime ecosystem", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Buoy%2BBoats.webp", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/blue-ocean-gear-strengthens-ties-with-norwegian-maritime-ecosystem", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Four presentations by master's students from NTNU Department of Design were recently held at the NTNU Shore Control Lab, showcasing new ideas and technologies that could help shape the future of autonomous and remotely operated maritime systems. The projects involved more than four students in total. The presentations were organized through the MIDAS project and brought together students, researchers and industry representatives to discuss emerging solutions for maritime autonomy, remote operations and human-machine interaction. As part of their master Andreas Ødegård and Tomas Bønes Wedege built a teleoperation station. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Exploring the future of shore control The student projects addressed different aspects of remote and autonomous vessel operations, ranging from fleet management and operator interfaces to route planning and haptic feedback systems. Master's student Markus Lunde presented the project Designing a Graphical User Interface for Fleet Supervision of Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vessels. The project focused on how future maritime operators can effectively monitor multiple autonomous and remotely operated vessels from a shore control centre. Markus Lunde defending his Master’s thesis. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Lunde developed a functional prototype for the Shore Control Lab featuring both individual operator workstations and a shared operational display. Rather than maximizing the amount of information shown, the design helps operators quickly identify which vessels require attention, understand events as they occur, and move seamlessly between fleet-level and vessel-level views while maintaining situational awareness. Markus Lunde explaining the prototype to the opponents. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Master's students Tomas Bønes Wedege and Andreas Ødegård presented Design and Construction of a Maritime Teledrive Station, which explored a key challenge in autonomous shipping: what happens when a human operator must take control of a vessel from shore. The students designed and built a teledrive station that enables direct real-time vessel control. Andreas Ødegård and Tomas Bønes Wedege presenting scale models of remote operation centres. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Drawing on input from maritime experts, field studies, ergonomic evaluations and production considerations, the project demonstrated how situational awareness, ergonomics and practical manufacturability are closely connected when designing future shore control workstations. Malin Hanssen explaining her prototypes to the opponents. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Another master's project, presented by Johannes Østreborge Thorsen, examined how digital decision-support systems can help planners select more energy-efficient routes for hybrid service vessels in the aquaculture industry. The project explored how weather conditions, charging opportunities, operational requirements, costs and emissions can be integrated into route planning tools. Johannes Østreborge Thorsen explaining how weather routing can be used to reduce fuel, energy consuption and emissions at sea. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. Thorsen developed and tested two prototype interfaces with different levels of information and environmental feedback, highlighting how design choices can influence both decision-making speed and sustainability considerations. Master's student Malin Hanssen presented Collaborative Autonomous Fleet Management, which investigated how future maritime operations centres can support operators responsible for multiple autonomous vessels, remotely operated vessels and sea drones simultaneously. Malin Hanssen. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. Using the Shore Control Lab as a case study, the project explored how people without traditional maritime backgrounds can collaborate to monitor and manage autonomous fleets. The work resulted in design concepts and recommendations for interfaces, workflows and decision-support systems that can improve shared situational awareness, coordination and event handling in future shore control centres. Malin Hanssen explaining her prototype to the opponents. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. The master students were all from NTNU, Department of Design. Bachelor students from Department of Engineering Cybernetics, Adrian Ravn Håkonsen, Arnstein Lystad Johnsen, Mikael Kofoed and Romeo Henriksen also presented the project Haptic Feedback for Remote Controlled Maritime Vessels, carried out at NTNU. Ole Andreas Alsos, Professor in Interaction Design and Head of the Shore Control Lab. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. The project explored how tactile feedback can improve operators' perception of vessel movements and surroundings when controlling vessels remotely, potentially making remote operations safer and more intuitive. I’m very impressed by the students’ results. They have done a wonderful job, and their ideas, concepts, and prototypes will serve as a basis for our future research and innovation. Ole Andreas Alsos, Professor in Interaction Design and Head of the Shore Control Lab. Together, the projects demonstrate how multidisciplinary research spanning industrial design, cybernetics, human-machine interaction and decision-support systems is helping shape the next generation of maritime autonomy and shore control technologies. The external opponent, Alf Ove Braseth, Principal Investigator at Institute for Energy Technology and the internal opponent: Ashis Parmar, Associate Professor in design at Department of Design. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. Building competence for the future A well-attended audience of researchers, students and industry professionals gathered at the Shore Control Lab to learn about and discuss the students' work. The audience follows the master presentations at Nyhavna. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. Among those attending was Bård Eker, CEO of Eker Group and one of Norway's most recognized industrial designers and entrepreneurs. Eker has spent decades developing advanced maritime and mobility solutions through Eker Group and has been involved in projects ranging from high-performance boats to electric ferries and autonomous systems. Ødegård and Wedege's presenting scale models of remote operation centres. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri For Eker, the student projects highlighted the importance of building competence for the next generation of maritime innovation. The most important thing is that we get more designers and developers who are interested in controlling maritime vessels, whether remotely or autonomously, and who can contribute to ensuring that Norway remains a strong maritime nation. Eker noted that many of the concepts presented are highly relevant to ongoing developments in both commercial shipping and unmanned maritime systems. Bård Eker, CEO of Eker Group. was among the listeners. Photo Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri We have developed an electric ferry, and the idea of operating not just one ferry but several vessels from a shore control centre is becoming increasingly relevant. The work being done here is directly connected to that future. He also pointed to growing demand for advanced remote operations in the unmanned surface vessel sector. We produce unmanned maritime systems for customers who operate them in different ways, including from shore. Some of our customers are in Ukraine, where there is a significant need for this kind of thinking and technology. Opponents questioning. Photo Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Investing in future innovators While the student projects demonstrated practical solutions and technical innovations, Eker emphasized that their long-term value extends beyond the immediate results. The most important outcome of projects like these is not necessarily the physical result itself, but what these students may go on to create over the next 40 years, Eker adds. Markus Lunde explaining the prototype. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri The presentations at NTNU Shore Control Lab highlight the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in developing both the technologies and the talent needed for the future of autonomous maritime operations. Through initiatives such as MIDAS and the Shore Control Lab, students gain the opportunity to work on real-world challenges at the forefront of maritime autonomy, while industry partners gain insight into the next generation of ideas and expertise. More pictures from the presentations Photos: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "12/06/2026", "datePublished" : "12/06/2026", "headline" : "Students showcase next-generation shore control solutions at NTNU Shore Control Lab", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Masterpresentasjoner%20NTNU%20Shore%20Control%20Lab%20Foto%20Lars%20bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20%2826%29.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/students-showcase-next-generation-shore-control-solutions-at-ntnu-shore-control-lab", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Maritime Robotics, member of Ocean Autonomy Cluster and a leading provider of autonomous maritime systems, today announced a €28 million growth investment led by Mustard Seed + Partners (MS+PARTNERS), alongside existing investors EnvisionTech, Nysnø Climate Investment, and Umoe, as well as founders, employees and early backers. The ocean covers more than 70% of the planet's surface and is essential for global security, commerce, energy systems and climate understanding. Yet conventional manned vessels remain constrained by high cost, safety risks, and operational inefficiencies - restricting the ability to explore, monitor, and safeguard the marine environment at scale. These constraints are driving a structural shift toward unmanned and autonomous maritime systems. Purpose-built sea drones allow for persistent, cost-efficient, and lower-risk operations across a wide range of applications, including offshore energy, hydrography, environmental monitoring, fisheries management, and maritime security & defense. Maritime Robotics operates at the center of this structural transformation, offering integrated sea drone solutions combining autonomous navigation, vessel design, and modular payload systems for mission-critical operations. We are now past the experimentation phase. Across both commercial and defense markets, we are seeing structural adoption of autonomous maritime systems, with customers shifting from pilot projects to fleet-level deployment strategies. This fundamentally changes the scale requirements of our business. This investment allows us to scale manufacturing and expand our product portfolio to meet accelerating global demand. - Vegard Evjen Hovstein, Co-Founder & CEO of Maritime Robotics AS With a proven track record of successfully delivering hundreds of autonomous systems, Maritime Robotics is a trusted partner to industrial and defense customers worldwide. The company has demonstrated strong commercial momentum, with revenue growing nearly five-fold over the past five years and more than doubling over the last two years, reflecting accelerating structural demand for scalable, cost-efficient, safer, and lower-emission autonomous maritime systems. Maritime Robotics has established a leading position in maritime autonomy, with proven deployments across demanding dual-use environments. The combination of modular platform architecture, reliable autonomous navigation, and a strong operational track record creates a scalable foundation for international expansion. We are excited to partner with Vegard and the team to support the company’s next phase of growth - building a global leader in maritime autonomy. - Stanislas de Joussineau, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of MS+PARTNERS MS+PARTNERS led the investment based on its conviction in Maritime Robotics’ technology leadership, commercial traction, and differentiated position at the intersection of autonomy, AI, and mission-critical maritime operations, with a clear opportunity to build a category leader delivering meaningful gains in productivity, safety, and emissions reduction. The investment also saw continued support from the company’s existing investor base. This transaction marks an important step in the company’s scaling journey, bringing in MS+PARTNERS as a strong growth partner alongside the existing shareholder base. Their experience in scaling industrial technology businesses internationally will be highly valuable as Maritime Robotics enters its next phase of expansion. - Jonas Myklebost, Investor at EnvisionTech Maritime Robotics Since 2005, Maritime Robotics has been at the forefront of maritime autonomy, pioneering the development of advanced sea drones and autonomous maritime systems. At the core of its offering is a market-leading autonomous navigation platform enabling robust and reliable sea drone operations across mission-critical applications, serving dual-use customers globally. Mustard Seed + Partners MS+PARTNERS is a growth private equity firm investing in Europe’s next generation of category leaders where sustainability drives productivity and resilience.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "12/06/2026", "datePublished" : "12/06/2026", "headline" : "Maritime Robotics raises €28 million as autonomous sea drones move into global large‑scale adoption", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/vegard.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/maritime-robotics-raises-28-million-as-autonomous-sea-drones-move-into-global-large-scale-adoption", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "American ocean technology company Biospherical Instruments is looking to expand its international partnerships and autonomous maritime capabilities following its participation in the 2026 Norway Trade Mission, organized by TMA BlueTech in collaboration with Ocean Autonomy Cluster. The San Diego-based company participated in the five-day program in Trondheim and Trøndelag together with U.S. ocean technology companies, researchers and defence representatives exploring Norway’s rapidly growing ecosystem for ocean autonomy, maritime sensing and dual-use technologies. Following the visit, Biospherical Instruments has decided to join Ocean Autonomy Cluster as a member company. According to Vieri Tenuta, president of Biospherical Instruments and board member of TMA BlueTech, the visit provided direct access to one of the world’s most integrated environments for autonomous maritime operations. – Trondheim is a primary space where this technology ecosystem is really centered in Norway. The combination of companies, research institutions and operational environments creates strong opportunities for collaboration, says Tenuta. Demonstration at Oceantech Innovation in Trondheim. One of their services is robotic cleaning of marine growth. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Expanding from instruments to autonomous integration Founded in 1977, Biospherical Instruments develops scientific instrumentation for environmental monitoring and has built an international reputation through decades of deployments ranging from polar research missions to municipal water reservoirs. The company's optical sensors and radiometers are used to monitor water quality and detect phenomena such as harmful algal blooms, oil contamination and environmental changes in marine environments. Its technologies support research and monitoring activities for organizations including NOAA, NASA and universities around the world. In recent years, the company has expanded from manufacturing standalone instruments toward integrating sensors into autonomous platforms including buoys, unmanned surface vessels, underwater drones and aerial systems. – We are moving from being purely an instrumentation company into a broader integration role. We work through partnerships with companies that build platforms and systems we do not manufacture ourselves, says Tenuta. The company supplies instruments to research institutions and government agencies including NOAA and NASA, and has also started engaging with defence-related applications. Mariner seadrone by Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Developing technology for long-term ocean deployments One of the challenges with long-term optical sensing underwater is biofouling — the accumulation of biological material on sensors and cameras that quickly reduces performance. Tenuta says Biospherical Instruments has spent the past three years developing anti-biofouling technology together with partners through projects supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). – Historically, optical systems have struggled with long-term deployments underwater because biological growth rapidly degrades the sensors. We have developed retrofit technology that significantly improves endurance and reduces maintenance requirements for underwater instruments and cameras, he says. The technology is particularly relevant for autonomous maritime systems requiring persistent monitoring and domain awareness over extended periods. According to Tenuta, optical sensing can also support maritime security and defence applications. – Our sensors can contribute to ocean domain awareness by identifying substances and anomalies in the water, including oil, gas and potentially traces linked to vessel activity. There is significant potential for optical instrumentation within maritime defence and security applications, he says. Vieri Tenuta, president of Biospherical Instruments and Trond Larsen, Senior Technical Sales Engineer at Blueye Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Building transatlantic collaboration The Trondheim trade mission connected American companies directly with Norwegian industry clusters, research institutions and test environments within ocean autonomy and maritime technology. The program included visits to companies and facilities such as NTNU Shore Control Lab, Zeabuz Remote Operations Center, Maritime Robotics, Blueye Robotics and several Ocean Autonomy Cluster member companies. Tenuta says the goal of the trade missions is both to help U.S. companies enter the Norwegian market and to create opportunities for Norwegian companies seeking partnerships in the United States. – We want to establish long-term relationships between Norwegian and American companies, research environments and public stakeholders. These missions are about creating real collaboration opportunities and strengthening technology exchange between the two countries, he says. He also highlights the importance of research collaboration and points to NTNU as an especially interesting environment for both TMA BlueTech and Biospherical Instruments. – NTNU is already one of our largest customers in Norway. The university’s research activities and the broader Trondheim ecosystem are highly relevant for companies like ours working with ocean sensing, autonomy and maritime technology, says Tenuta. Blueye X3 Ultra underwater drone from Blueye Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Joining Ocean Autonomy Cluster For Biospherical Instruments, the trade mission has already resulted in a concrete outcome through its decision to join Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Tenuta says the company sees the cluster as an important platform for building relationships with Norwegian industry, participating in collaborative projects and exploring new business opportunities. – We are looking to participate in industry forums, trade missions, business development activities and research opportunities. At the same time, we want to build stronger international relationships that can support both import and export activities between Norway and the United States, he says. Biospherical Instruments believes its expertise in environmental monitoring, optical sensing and autonomous platform integration can provide value to the cluster's members. Demonstrations at Nyhavna harbour basin in Trondheim. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri – We manufacture optical instruments that can be integrated into a wide variety of autonomous platforms used for environmental monitoring and research. We also bring experience from working with U.S. government agencies and can help companies interested in accessing the American market through our manufacturing and export capabilities in the United States, says Tenuta. The company sees significant opportunities for collaboration with Norwegian developers of autonomous vessels, underwater systems, sensors and maritime data solutions. – Norway has developed a unique ecosystem for ocean autonomy. By joining Ocean Autonomy Cluster, we gain access to a strong network of companies and research institutions, while also creating opportunities for cluster members looking to establish partnerships and business activities in the U.S. market, says Tenuta. The 2026 Norway Trade Mission was organized by TMA BlueTech in collaboration with Ocean Autonomy Cluster and brought together companies focused on maritime autonomy, ocean intelligence, sensing technologies and offshore systems.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "11/06/2026", "datePublished" : "11/06/2026", "headline" : "U.S. sensor company Biospherical Instruments sees Trondheim as key gateway for ocean autonomy partnerships", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/TMA%20Bluetech%20Photo%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20%2889%29.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/u.s.-sensor-company-biospherical-instruments-sees-trondheim-as-key-gateway-for-ocean-autonomy-partnerships", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Tocaro Blue is strengthening its European ambitions following participation in the TMA Bluetech Trade Mission Norway in Trondheim. The company is now entering new collaboration initiatives and sees strong opportunities for further partnerships within Norway’s maritime autonomy ecosystem. Andrew Rains from Tocaro Blue says the visit provided valuable insight into Norway’s maritime autonomy ecosystem and created several new opportunities for partnerships. Andrew Rains of Tocaro Blue testing underwater drone with Matt Classen from TMA Bluetech and Christian Gabrielsen from Blueye Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri See also: FarSounder integrates Tocaro Blue technology to enhance marine navigation Trondheim as an innovation hub – Trondheim is an innovation hub. It has been very useful to see the activity here, meet the companies, and understand how the ecosystem works, Rains says. Tocaro Blue develops software for radar processing and marine electro-optical and infrared (EOIR) sensor systems. The company is particularly focused on using machine learning and sensor fusion to improve situational awareness and perception for autonomous and uncrewed vessels. Its flagship platform, ProteusCore, applies deep neural networks and vessel dynamics algorithms to transform commercial marine radar into advanced perception systems capable of real-time detection, classification, and tracking. The company has also expanded into AI-powered camera perception through its ApolloCore platform, designed to strengthen multi-sensor awareness for autonomous maritime operations. Andrew Rains, Senior Sales Director of Tocaro Blue. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri See also: Smarter radar for autonomous operations: Tocaro Blue joins Ocean Autonomy Cluster Building partnerships in Norway During the visit, Tocaro Blue highlighted networking and knowledge exchange as key outcomes, particularly within the maritime autonomy and sensor technology ecosystem. Rains points to engagement with several Norwegian companies working across autonomy and advanced maritime systems, including Kongsberg Maritime, Maritime Robotics, Water Linked, Zeabuz and SentiSystems. – We want to establish relationships and foster the use of our software in Europe. Norway has an impressive maritime innovation environment, and we see strong opportunities for collaboration here, Rains says. The company is already involved in an ongoing collaboration project related to dark vessel detection together with several member companies in the cluster. Havoc.AI's Rampage USV running Tocaro Blue software with the Furuno radar. See also: Furuno and Tocaro Blue to Advance Radar-Based Perception for Autonomous Marine Systems Learning from the Norwegian cluster model Rains also highlights the close interaction between academia, startups, industry, and cluster organizations in Trondheim as something the company sees significant value in. – There is a lot we can learn here, especially in how clusters foster relationships and drive innovation between companies, he says. TMA BlueTech and Ocean Autonomy Cluster have both been central platforms during the visit and in Tocaro Blue’s growing engagement in Europe. Tocaro Blue joined Ocean Autonomy Cluster in 2025 to strengthen collaboration around radar intelligence, sensor fusion, and autonomous maritime operations. The company stated at the time that it wanted to connect with partners interested in joint projects, testing, and machine-learning development for autonomous systems. The company is headquartered in the southeastern United States, with test boat operations in Pensacola, Florida, and its R&D office in Birmingham, Alabama. Tocaro Blue currently has 21 employees and is aiming to further expand its European presence through partnerships in the maritime autonomy and defense sectors. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri See also: Tocaro Blue boosts marine vision with ApolloCore", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "11/06/2026", "datePublished" : "11/06/2026", "headline" : "Tocaro Blue sees strong potential for collaboration in Norway", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/TMA%20Bluetech%20Photo%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20%28162%29.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/tocaro-blue-sees-strong-potential-for-collaboration-in-norway", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Les saken på norsk SpareBank 1 SMN plays an important role in strengthening the Norwegian ocean technology and autonomy ecosystem in Trondheim and the Trøndelag region. Through support for industry meeting places, internationalization initiatives, and scaling of dual-use technology companies, the bank helps connect research, industry, and international stakeholders across the region. – The bank’s role is to help create more activity in the region where we live, enabling companies to meet, build networks, and together create growth and more jobs in Central Norway, says Knut Eilif Halgunset. International collaboration and growth A recent American delegation focused on ocean technology and maritime defense technology visited Trondheim as part of Trade Mission Norway, a program connecting international companies with Norway’s autonomy ecosystem. The visit is part of a broader initiative focused on collaboration in maritime autonomy, sensor technology, and unmanned systems, where Trondheim is highlighted as one of the world’s leading environments for development and testing. Eelume underwater drone together with Zeabuz’s Zea Falkon in the Nyhavna harbor basin. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri The program is organized through a collaboration between TMA BlueTech and Ocean Autonomy Cluster, giving American companies access to Norwegian research institutions, technology companies, and test facilities in the Trondheim Fjord. TMA BlueTech is a U.S.-based cluster organization headquartered in San Diego and is an important partner for Ocean Autonomy Cluster. The collaboration serves as a bridge between industry, research, and government, with a focus on accelerating the development and commercialization of ocean technology within autonomy, ocean data, and maritime defense and security solutions. The partnership also provides American companies with access to one of the world’s leading environments for developing and testing autonomous maritime systems. – Norway has built an exceptional ecosystem around maritime technology, ocean monitoring, and autonomous systems, and Trondheim is one of the most interesting environments we have seen for applied collaboration, says Matt Classen. Matt Classen from TMA BlueTech testing an underwater drone from Maritime Robotics together with Christian Gabrielsen and Svein Olav Munkeby. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Trondheim as a global test arena for autonomy Trondheim and the Trøndelag region have established themselves as one of the world’s most advanced environments for ocean autonomy. The region combines strong research communities at Norwegian University of Science and Technology and SINTEF with a growing industrial ecosystem within ocean robotics, sensors, and unmanned maritime systems. The Trondheim Fjord serves as a central test arena where new autonomous solutions can be developed, verified, and scaled in realistic operational environments. This makes the region particularly attractive for international stakeholders seeking access to operational testing and applied research. Mariner sea drone from Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri International interest in Norwegian expertise According to SpareBank 1 SMN, visits like these are about more than technology. They are about building connections between stakeholders who otherwise might never meet. – There is strong technology here, highly skilled people, and research communities capable of transforming research into companies and solutions the world actually needs. It is a truly unique competence environment in Central Norway that we naturally want to support, says Halgunset. A strong supporter SpareBank 1 SMN is one of the largest financial groups in Central Norway and is headquartered in Trondheim. The bank is part of the SpareBank 1 Alliance and provides banking, financing, savings, investment, and insurance services to both private and corporate customers. In addition to its commercial operations, the bank also has a clear regional development role through its community dividend model. Through this initiative, the bank invests in socially beneficial projects related to innovation, business development, culture, and competence building across the region. For several years, SpareBank 1 SMN has been an important supporter of industry clusters, technology environments, and growth companies in Central Norway, particularly within ocean technology, energy, and defense. The initiative is focused on strengthening the connection between research, industry, and capital, enabling more companies to scale internationally from the region. Øyvind Smogeli presenting Zeabuz’s remote operations center (ROC) to the American delegation. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Developing the technology ecosystem SpareBank 1 SMN contributes to the development of the technology ecosystem through financial services, expertise, and support for meeting places and industry clusters. The bank supports initiatives such as the Dark Drones conference, internationalization activities, and the scaling of dual-use companies through the XLRTR program. – We have a community dividend fund that helps companies and people connect. In addition, as a bank we can contribute services, products, and expertise that many of these companies need, says Halgunset. He points out that the value of such initiatives lies in creating concrete connections between people, companies, and environments that otherwise would not necessarily meet. – It is about facilitating that the right people talk to the right people, and that this leads to concrete collaborations and agreements, he says. Ocean Autonomy Cluster manager Frode Halvorsen together with Håvar Øie from Maritime Robotics and Athavan Mahendran from NORTEK. Invaluable support – We are extremely grateful for the support and the excellent collaboration with SpareBank 1 SMN, says Frode Halvorsen. The support from SpareBank 1 SMN contributes to the Dark Drones event, internationalization efforts through Trade Mission Norway, and scaling of dual-use technology as part of the XLRTR program. – This support is instrumental in enabling several important activities, and the impact is significant for both member companies and the technology ecosystem, within both ocean technology and defense, Halvorsen adds. Read also: American companies explore Trondheim’s ocean technology ecosystem", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "09/06/2026", "datePublished" : "09/06/2026", "headline" : "SpareBank 1 SMN strengthens Norway’s ocean technology ecosystem", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/TMA%20Bluetech%20Frosta%20%28235%29.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/sparebank-1-smn-strengthens-norways-ocean-technology-ecosystem", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Les saken på norsk A delegation of U.S. ocean technology and maritime defence companies visited Trondheim and the Trøndelag region this week as part of the 2026 Norway Trade Mission, organized by TMA BlueTech in collaboration with Ocean Autonomy Cluster. The mission connected American companies, researchers and defence representatives directly with Norway’s rapidly growing ecosystem for ocean autonomy, maritime technology and dual-use innovation. Øyvind Smogeli presenting Zeabuz. U.S. companies and defence representatives joined the mission The five-day mission brought together a select group of American companies focused on maritime autonomy, ocean intelligence, sensing technologies and offshore systems. During the mission, the delegation received presentations and visited a broad range of companies, research environments and innovation initiatives within the Norwegian ocean technology ecosystem. The program included introductions from Ocean Autonomy Cluster, NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster and NCE Aquatech Cluster, alongside presentations from Innovation Norway and Fjordlab. Participants also visited NTNU Shore Control Lab and Zeabuz’ Remote Operations Center (ROC). Mayor Kent Ranum and Ingvill Dalseg from Trøndelag County Council opened the programme. Here together with Svein Olav Munkeby and Frode Halvorsen from Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Company presentations and meetings included SentiSystems, Eelume, OceanAccess, Clarify, Zeabuz, Blueye Robotics, Nortek, Norse Navigation, Maritime Robotics, Fugro, Skarv Technologies, Water Linked and NORBIT. The delegation also visited Kongsberg’s facilities and received regional welcome presentations from Mayor Kent Ranum of Trondheim and Ingvill Dalseg on behalf of Trøndelag. “I am especially proud of the work being carried out through Fremtidens Industri, and of the hosting of this visit by Frode Halvorsen and Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Together with NORDSEC – Nordic Defence and Security Cluster, this demonstrates the strength of Trøndelag’s cluster ecosystem, where knowledge is shared, partnerships are built and new solutions are developed,” Ingvill Dalseg said during the opening. Dalseg is Chair of the Committee for Business and Industry, Trøndelag County Council. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy and a delegation from the U.S. Navy also participated throughout the program. Visiting Oceantech Innovation. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Participating companies included TMA BlueTech, Blue Ocean Gear, Tocaro Blue, Quartermaster, Ocean Power Technologies and Biospherical Instruments. Throughout the week, participants engaged with companies, research institutions and test environments spanning autonomous systems, ocean sensing, remote operations and intelligent maritime platforms. The delegation also explored opportunities related to maritime defence, subsea infrastructure, secure communications and resilient offshore operations. The 120-meter-long and up to 12-meter-deep dry dock at Oceantech Innovation. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri An exceptional ecosystem around maritime technology TMA BlueTech executive director Matt Classen said the collaboration with Ocean Autonomy Cluster is part of a broader strategy to create stronger and more consistent transatlantic cooperation between Norway and the United States. “We are focused on helping our member companies connect to international markets and find commercial pathways,” said Classen. “Norway has built an exceptional ecosystem around maritime technology, ocean intelligence and autonomous systems, and Trondheim is one of the most interesting environments we have seen for applied collaboration.” TMA BlueTech executive director Matt Classen testing Blueye drone together with Christian Gabrielsen, Blueye Robotics and Svein Olav Munkeby, Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Anchored in Trondheim, the program gave participants direct access to Norway’s globally recognized environment for ocean autonomy and operational testing. Engagements included ecosystem briefings, company visits and meetings with Norwegian technology companies, research institutions and operators. Blueye X3 Ultra underwater drone. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri The delegation visited environments connected to NTNU and SINTEF, alongside meetings with several companies within the Ocean Autonomy Cluster ecosystem. A dedicated meeting platform enabled participants to schedule targeted one-to-one meetings in advance, helping maximize the value of the visit and accelerate discussions around partnerships and pilot opportunities. Demonstrations at Nyhavna in Trondheim. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri According to Classen, the goal is not only to organize trade missions, but to establish long-term structures for technology exchange, research collaboration and market access between the two countries. “We want to move beyond occasional visits and create a more consistent framework for collaboration between Southern California and Trondheim,” he said. “That includes knowledge exchange, technology transfer and helping Norwegian companies gain access to the U.S. market, investors and growth opportunities.” Mariner seadrone by Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Trondheim highlighted as a global test environment Classen also highlighted the importance of Trondheim’s close integration between industry, research and operational environments. “The combination of companies, NTNU, SINTEF and the broader Ocean Autonomy Cluster creates a very strong foundation for innovation and deployment,” he said. Frode Halvorsen, manager of Ocean Autonomy Cluster and TMA BlueTech executive director Matt Classen. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Frode Halvorsen, manager of Ocean Autonomy Cluster, said the mission demonstrated the growing strategic importance of ocean autonomy and dual-use maritime technologies. “We see strong alignment between Norwegian and American stakeholders within autonomous maritime systems, ocean intelligence and maritime defence,” said Halvorsen. “The combination of operational test environments, industrial capability and applied research creates strong opportunities for continued cooperation.” Mariner seadrone by Maritime Robotics doing autonomus scanning of Nyhavna seabed. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Support from Sparebank1 SMN and Startup TRD Among the supporters of TMA BlueTech Trade Mission Norway is SpareBank 1 SMN and Startup TRD. – There is strong technology here, highly skilled people, and research environments capable of turning research into companies and solutions the world actually needs. It is a truly unique ecosystem of expertise in Central Norway that we naturally want to support, says Knut Eilif Halgunset, Head of Transformation and Strategic Partners at SpareBank 1 SMN. Knut Eilif Halgunset, Head of Transformation and Strategic Partners at SpareBank 1 SMN. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri SpareBank 1 SMN is one of Norway’s largest regional savings banks, serving Central Norway with a broad range of financial services for individuals, businesses and the public sector. The bank plays an active role in regional development and innovation through investments, partnerships and support for growth-oriented industry clusters and ecosystems. Through its community dividend fund, networks and in-house expertise, the bank also contributes to strengthening the ecosystem around startups and technology companies. StartupTRD is a partnership consisting of co-working spaces, incubators and accelerators. With support from SpareBank 1 SMN, Adolf Øiens Fond and Trondheim Municipality, StartupTRD provides the city’s entrepreneurs with a well-functioning ecosystem offering access to infrastructure, meeting places, networks, advisory resources and capital. Defence advisor Jens Junge provided the American participants with a comprehensive overview of the security situation, as well as Norway’s defence sector and defence market. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. Continued cooperation ahead The mission concluded with strategic discussions and executive-level networking sessions in Trøndelag, where participants explored pathways for continued transatlantic cooperation within maritime technology, defence and ocean innovation. Ocean Autonomy Cluster and TMA BlueTech expect several of the discussions initiated during the week to continue through follow-up meetings, research collaboration and potential demonstration projects in Norway and the United States. Eelume E underwater drone in front of Zeabuz autonomus Zea Falcon in the Nyhavna harbour basin. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "05/06/2026", "datePublished" : "05/06/2026", "headline" : "U.S. ocean technology companies explored Norwegian autonomy ecosystem through Trondheim trade mission", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/TMA%20Bluetech%20Photo%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20Industri%20%2857%29.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/u.s.-ocean-technology-companies-explored-norwegian-autonomy-ecosystem-through-trondheim-trade-mission", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Les saken på norsk Maritime autonomy is becoming increasingly important for both climate and defence. Maritime Robotics has also emerged as one of the clear success stories in the portfolio of Nysnø Climate Investments, and the visit from CEO Siri Kalvig this week highlighted how the company now operates at the growing intersection of climate technology, security and maritime autonomy. From its headquarters at Brattørkaia in Trondheim, Maritime Robotics develops autonomous surface vessels (USVs) and control systems used internationally for applications ranging from seabed mapping and environmental monitoring to port security, mine countermeasures and defence operations. Eirik Hovstein, Maritime Robotics, and Siri Kalvig, Nysnø. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Technology for both civilian and military operations Maritime Robotics systems are also being used in operational missions in Ukraine, where multiple autonomous vessels help clear waterways for civilian shipping in mine-affected areas of the Black Sea. Over time, the systems have detected a significant number of underwater objects that may pose risks to commercial and civilian maritime traffic. – Maritime Robotics is one of my favourite portfolio companies. They are a perfect example of how climate technology is also security technology, said Kalvig during the visit. She points out that the company’s autonomous vessels can replace larger and more polluting ships in a wide range of maritime operations. – Maritime Robotics vessels replace more polluting conventional vessels, while at the same time being used within offshore wind, monitoring and defence. That creates both climate benefits and increased operational capability, Kalvig says. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Defence and security have become an even larger focus area Siri Kalvig is CEO of Nysnø Climate Investments, a Norwegian state-backed investment company established to support growth companies by providing risk capital to businesses that reduce emissions while creating long-term positive value for society. Kalvig is a meteorologist with a PhD in offshore wind technology and was previously involved in establishing the weather technology company StormGeo. She has also completed the Norwegian Armed Forces’ executive leadership programme at the Norwegian Defence University College, which she says provided valuable insight into how climate, technology and security policy are becoming increasingly interconnected. Maritime Robotics USVs can also be remotely operated. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri – As defence and security have become an even larger focus area, it is also important to improve energy efficiency in operations. There is a significant climate benefit in using the type of technology Maritime Robotics develops, says Kalvig. She believes both Norway and Europe must strengthen control over strategic technology value chains while ensuring access to risk capital for emerging technology companies. – Maritime Robotics combines hardware, software and autonomy in a way that is highly relevant both for the climate agenda and the current security landscape. The timing for the company towards the defence sector is extremely strong, Kalvig says. Maritime Robotics USV “Mariner”. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri An important investor for Maritime Robotics Nysnø invested in Maritime Robotics in 2024, and Kalvig highlights the company as an example of how state-backed capital can help scale early-stage technology companies into commercial growth. She also describes how Nysnø operates as an early-stage investor: – We invest in companies before they are able to service traditional bank loans. That is the entire point of a state-backed investment fund like Nysnø. Maritime Robotics is now starting to become profitable, and not all companies in our portfolio have reached that stage yet, she says. According to Eirik Hovstein, the partnership with Nysnø has been important for the company’s development. – Nysnø entered at a very important stage for Maritime Robotics. It was crucial for us to bring in a Norwegian investor that both understands technology development and recognises how climate and defence are becoming increasingly interconnected, says Hovstein. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Ongoing operations and maritime preparedness The visit also highlighted the ongoing discussion about whether public climate investment capital should increasingly be allowed to support companies operating at the intersection of climate, security and defence, so-called dual-use technology companies. During the visit, Maritime Robotics demonstrated its autonomous vessels and sensor systems in Trondheim harbour. The technology is used for continuous monitoring, mapping and underwater object detection. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri – If you want to patrol large maritime areas frequently and continuously, it becomes extremely costly to rely solely on manned vessels. Autonomous systems enable far more efficient operations while also reducing both risk and emissions, says Hovstein. He believes autonomous maritime systems will play an increasingly important role in both civilian and military operations. – Drones and autonomous systems are highly energy efficient compared to traditional vessels. The technology can help reduce energy consumption, fuel usage, pollution and the climate footprint of maritime operations, while simultaneously strengthening security and preparedness, he says. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri A central player Maritime Robotics is a central player in Norway’s maritime innovation ecosystem and is a member company of Ocean Autonomy Cluster, NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster, and Maritimt Forum Midt-Norge. The company is also part of FI Ocean Space Incubator and plays an important role in Trondheim’s ocean technology environment. Maritime Robotics will also participate at Forsvarskonferansen in September. Maritime Robotics has developed autonomous maritime technology for more than 20 years, and the company points to long-term investors as being critical in building both its technology platform and international market position. Siri Kalvig together with Eirik Hovstein and Eirik Moholt from Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "05/06/2026", "datePublished" : "05/06/2026", "headline" : "Siri Kalvig: Maritime Robotics is one of my favourite portfolio companies”", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Siri%20Kalvig%20Maritime%20Robotics%20Foto%20Lars%20Bugge%20Aarset%20Fremtidens%20%289%29.jpg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/siri-kalvig-maritime-robotics-is-one-of-my-favourite-portfolio-companies", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleBody" : "Les saken på norsk The development of autonomous and remote maritime operations is accelerating rapidly across the Norwegian ocean technology sector. In recent months, several companies have demonstrated how uncrewed vessels, remote operations, and new sensor systems are moving from pilot projects into regular operations in demanding offshore environments. A clear example comes from Nordic USV, which recently upgraded its USV Kuling after more than 6,000 nautical miles of operations. The vessel has operated fully uncrewed, without a chase boat, and has been controlled directly from an operations centre in Bergen. In total, the company has completed around 10,000 nautical miles of uncrewed operations in 2026. A new 6 kW generator is intended to increase cruising speed, improve operational reliability in harsh weather conditions, and extend maintenance intervals by 50 percent. USV Kuling under maintenance and upgrade after more than 6,000 nautical miles of autonomous operations. Photo: Nordic USV. “Nordic USV is well underway in establishing uncrewed infrastructure along the Norwegian coast. We currently operate three USVs and six unmanned docking and charging stations, covering both the Helgeland coast and the entire stretch from Måløy to the inner Oslofjord,” says Sander Henriksen, CEO & Founder of Nordic USV. “The vessels operate year-round, delivering water sampling and monitoring services for the aquaculture industry, public authorities, as well as monitoring emissions from wastewater, industrial activity, and mining operations,” he says. Sander Henriksen, CEO & Founder of Nordic USV. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Autonomous voyage from Trondheim to Kårstø Another example is Maritime Robotics and its uncrewed vessel Mariner X, which recently completed an autonomous voyage of more than 500 nautical miles from Trondheim to Kårstø. The nine-metre USV spent nearly one week along the Norwegian coast—operated entirely without crew on board, but under continuous monitoring and control from shore. The operation was carried out in cooperation with Equinor and is described as one of the most extensive autonomous test operations conducted in Norway to date. The vessel is designed for long-endurance operations in challenging coastal and offshore environments and is equipped with advanced sensors and navigation systems for data collection, testing, and operational missions under real-world conditions. Mariner X. Photo: Maritime Robotics The project is not only about autonomous navigation, but about how offshore operations can be conducted with reduced risk, lower manning levels, and improved energy efficiency. Through the voyage, the partners are investigating how uncrewed systems can be scaled from individual demonstrations to routine offshore operations on the Norwegian continental shelf. “We have already tested and operationalised uncrewed vessels in real operations, but the Mariner X gives us an opportunity to push the boundaries of autonomy in a controlled, yet realistic environment. The goal is to understand how these technologies perform in day-to-day offshore operations and what it takes to move from promising trials to scalable solutions,” says Arne Gürtner, Senior Vice President – Technology, Digital and Innovation at Equinor. Arne Gürtner, Senior Vice President – Technology, Digital and Innovation at Equinor. The Norwegian coastline itself provides a demanding test arena, with rapidly changing weather, waves, traffic, currents, and complex navigation conditions. That Mariner X completed the entire journey without serious incidents represents an important technological and operational milestone. “This is Norwegian-built technology that makes complex and hazardous offshore operations safer, more efficient and significantly more environmentally friendly,” says Eirik Hovstein of Maritime Robotics. Eirik Hovstein, Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Maritime Robotics has developed uncrewed and remotely operated systems in Trondheim for more than 15 years and already has more than 200 vessels in active operations globally across defence, research, offshore, and ocean industries. See also: Uncrewed vessel completes 500-nautical-mile autonomous voyage along the Norwegian coast Remote seabed mapping in the North Sea At the same time, Fugro has deployed its new USV Blue Eclipse 1 in Norway. The vessel will carry out major parts of the MAREANO seabed mapping programme in the North Sea, remotely operated from the company’s control centre in Aberdeen. The operation marks an important milestone for large-scale uncrewed offshore operations and demonstrates how autonomous vessels are increasingly used in demanding commercial missions in the North Sea. Fugro's 18-metre USV Blue Eclipse 1. Photo: Fugro Se also: Fugro launches Blue Eclipse USV in Norway – set for North Sea mission New sensors and monitoring technology In the area of sensing and situational awareness, new technologies are also being tested directly on board autonomous vessels. Squarehead Technology has partnered with Reach Subsea to install advanced acoustic monitoring systems on the uncrewed vessel Reach Remote 1. The solution enables remote operators to monitor the vessel’s machinery space from shore through AI-based analysis of sound patterns and anomalies. The system is integrated with Massterly’s Remote Operations Centre in Horten. Reach Remote 1. Illustration: Reach Subsea See also: Squarehead and Reach Remote launch acoustic pilot onboard autonomous vessel Squarehead Technology has also demonstrated how advanced acoustic sensing can improve maritime situational awareness through its “super hearing” technology for ships. The system uses arrays of microphones and AI-powered sound analysis to detect and classify surrounding vessels and activities beyond normal human hearing capabilities, providing operators with additional situational awareness in demanding maritime environments. The technology is currently being tested onboard Fjord1’s ferry MF Skopphorn and will also be implemented on the new ferries operating the Lavik–Oppedal connection on Norway’s west coast. The project is part of the broader development toward highly automated and eventually autonomous ferry operations, where new sensor systems are needed to strengthen both onboard and shore-based situational awareness. Bridge on Fjord1 ferry, MF Skopphorn. Photo: Squarehead See also: Squarehead brings “superhearing” to ships Autonomous ferry operations enabled by 5G Norway has also become a testing ground for autonomous ferry operations. The Lavik–Oppedal ferry connection has been used to demonstrate how 5G technology can support autonomous vessel functions, remote monitoring, and real-time data transfer in live ferry operations. The project involved several Norwegian technology actors, including Senti Systems, contributing to communication and enabling technologies supporting autonomous maritime operations. The project demonstrated how next-generation connectivity infrastructure can become a key enabler for future autonomous maritime transport systems, particularly in coastal operations where reliable low-latency communication is critical. Photo: Fjord1 See also: The critical role of 5G in future of autonomous maritime transport Norwegian autonomy technology is also increasingly being deployed internationally. Zeabuz recently delivered autonomy solutions for the Swedish zero-emission ferry Neptunus, where autonomous transit systems, remote monitoring, and advanced navigation technology will support safer, more energy-efficient, and more predictable ferry operations on one of Sweden’s busiest ferry routes. See also: Zeabuz delivers autonomy solution to Swedish zero-emission ferry MIDAS and Shore Control Lab MIDAS (Human in Future Ocean Space Operations) is a six-year research and capacity-building initiative focused on how humans interact with autonomous maritime systems in future ocean operations. The programme explores how increasing autonomy changes maritime work, with particular emphasis on decision support, situational awareness, and the design of safe and effective shore-based control environments. “The ongoing projects are highly relevant to MIDAS because they represent the transition the initiative was established to support, the move from isolated technology development to operational systems where human interactions, autonomous vessels, and shore-based control centres are better integrated,” says Alexandra Neyts, project manager for MIDAS. “MIDAS is all about building strong bridges between academia and industry, connecting research with real-world applications to drive innovation in autonomous marine operations. The developments, pilot projects, and start-ups emerging from this approach clearly demonstrate how it is giving Norway a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving maritime sector, she says. Alexandra Neyts, project manager for MIDAS - Human in Future Ocean Space Operations. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Professor Ole Andreas Alsos, Head of NTNU Shore Control Lab, says the rapid development of uncrewed maritime operations is closely aligned with the research environment’s focus areas. “Uncrewed maritime operations are highly relevant to the Shore Control Lab because they bring together the core questions we work with every day: how to design safe, understandable and effective systems for remote and supervisory control at sea,” says Alsos. “Through the Shore Control Lab and the MIDAS project, we can contribute with human-centred design methods, operational test facilities and research-based knowledge about how operators, autonomy and maritime infrastructure should work together. At the same time, real-world developments in uncrewed operations give us essential cases, requirements and data that strengthen our research, education and innovation activities.” Ole Andreas Alsos, professor and Head of NTNU Shore Control Lab. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri The Shore Control Lab is an experimental and research environment used to study and test concepts for remote ship operations and shore-based control centres, including operator interaction, interface design, and human performance in autonomous maritime systems. From demonstrations to operational reality The development shows how Norwegian actors are building complete ecosystems for maritime autonomy, where vessels, sensors, remote operations centres, and digital services are integrated into new operational models. A wide range of companies and collaboration partners connected to Ocean Autonomy Cluster, FI Ocean Space Incubator, and Maritimt Forum Midt-Norge are involved in this development, contributing expertise across autonomous vessels, sensors, connectivity, control systems, software, offshore operations, and maritime infrastructure. “New technological solutions, expertise, and test arenas are necessary for Norway to remain the world-leading maritime cluster. It is extremely exciting to follow the ocean technology environment that has now really gained momentum in Trondheim, and which will have a major impact on the maritime industry going forward. Therefore, Maritimt Forum works to ensure that conditions are in place for continued development of both technology and expertise through good framework conditions and collaboration across sectors,” says Ellen Weidemann, head of Maritimt Forum Midt-Norge. Ellen Weidemann, head of Maritimt Forum Midt-Norge. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri For Ocean Autonomy Cluster, this illustrates how the sector is rapidly moving from technology development to commercial operations. It is no longer only about demonstrations and testing, but about real-world operations in the North Sea and along the Norwegian coastline, conducted entirely without crew on board.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lars Bugge Aarset", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsaarset/", "url" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/author/lars-bugge-aarset" }, "dateModified" : "30/05/2026", "datePublished" : "30/05/2026", "headline" : "Uncrewed maritime operations accelerating rapidly across Norwegian ocean technology sector", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 400, "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Maritime%20Robotics.jpeg", "width" : 750 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://oceanautonomy.no/en-us/oacnews/uncrewed-maritime-operations-accelerating-rapidly-across-norwegian-ocean-technology-sector", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://26558673.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26558673/Dark_yellow-fill_POS%20(3).png" }, "name" : "Ocean Autonomy Cluster/FI - Fremtidens Industri", "url" : "oceanautonomy.no" } } ```