Norway took a significant step in studying its marine ecosystems with the launch of the first expedition of the HUGIN Superior autonomous underwater vehicle, a platform designed to perform high-precision mapping in deep-water areas of the Norwegian Sea.
The mission began in early June and represents the first time the country has its own capability to conduct advanced seabed surveys, a task that until now largely depended on specialized contractors.
A Tool to Better Understand the Seabed
According to the Norwegian Maritime Authority, the incorporation of the new AUV will strengthen the collection of scientific and technical information on hard-to-access marine areas.
Hilde Braut, Deputy Director of New Industries, emphasized that having in-house mapping resources will help expand knowledge of deep-water zones and facilitate more informed management of these environments.
The official also noted that the data obtained will provide a more detailed view of Norwegian underwater geography and support future research.
From Lead Weights to High-Resolution Autonomous Mapping
Deep-water mapping in Norway has a long history dating back to the 19th century. At that time, measurements were performed using lead weights and sounding lines that allowed depth estimation and detection of some basic seabed features.
With technological advancement, these techniques were replaced by multibeam echo sounders installed on specialized vessels. Currently, autonomous underwater vehicles complement these systems by obtaining much more precise and detailed data.
HUGIN Superior AUV Can Operate at 6,000 Meters Depth
HUGIN Superior was acquired through funding provided by the Norwegian Ministry of Energy and will be operated by the Norwegian Marine Data Centre (NORMAR), an entity affiliated with the University of Bergen.
The vehicle can work at depths of up to 6,000 meters while collecting high-resolution information on the seabed. It uses sonar technology, based on the emission and reception of acoustic waves that enable identification of structures, geological formations, and underwater objects with great accuracy.
This capability makes the system a key tool for expanding knowledge of the most remote ocean areas and improving the quality of bathymetric studies conducted in Norwegian waters.
First Expedition Following a Traditional Ceremony
Before beginning its journey, the vehicle was officially christened in Bergen following a customary maritime tradition. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Norwegian Maritime Authority, the Ministry of Energy, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, and the Kongsberg technology group.
With this first campaign, Norway seeks to strengthen its ocean research capacity and accelerate the generation of strategic information on its marine resources and deep-water ecosystems.
Source and photo: Norwegian Maritime Authority
