The SeaClear 2.0 project has achieved a significant commercial milestone: a geotechnical company in Japan will use the SeaCAT vessel for wind farm surveys.
Mission Ocean and Waters project SeaClear2.0 is proud to announce a major achievement: Subsea Tech, a key project partner, has secured a contract with a prominent Japanese company specialising in marine environmental and geophysical surveys. This contract involves the production of a SeaCAT-class unmanned surface vessel (USV), which will be deployed for geotechnical and cable surveys at wind farms – making it the first of its kind in Japan!
Cutting-edge technology
Custom-built to meet the specific needs of the Japanese company, this version of the SeaCAT is equipped with a range of advanced sensors, including multibeam, side-scan and sub-bottom profiling sonars. Additionally, the SeaCAT can deploy an underwater robot fitted with a sensor for precise 3D mapping. This all-in-one survey solution is exceptional, particularly for an unmanned vessel, offering up to seven days of continuous operation at sea without the need for refuelling or sensor reconfiguration.
Revolutionising ocean cleanup
The SeaCAT has benefited from innovations developed through the Horizon 2020-funded SeaClear project and its successor, the Horizon Mission Ocean and Waters project, SeaClear2.0. Leveraging robotics and AI, SeaClear addresses one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges – ocean litter – and supports the Mission’s goal of preventing and eliminating pollution of our ocean and waters.
The SeaClear 2.0 system includes a fleet of autonomous robots that work together to map, detect, classify and collect marine litter from the seafloor and surface. Capable of operating at depths of up to 100 metres and lifting items weighing up to 250 kilograms, this solution represents a significant breakthrough in ocean restoration efforts.
Thanks to its innovative solutions, SeaClear 2.0 supports the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, aiming to reduce plastic litter by 50% and microplastics by 30% by 2030. The project also aligns with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, a vital instrument to ensure marine litter does not harm our coasts, seas and ocean.
Looking ahead
As SeaClear 2.0 reaches its halfway point, the SeaCAT sale marks a significant achievement. The project is now gearing up for its first pilot in Hamburg, Germany, in May 2025. This will be followed by a series of pilots and system demonstrations in five Mediterranean locations, showcasing the system’s ability to operate in diverse underwater environments. The pilots and demonstrations will also highlight its market potential as a versatile, innovative solution for marine operations, including seabed and floating litter collection.
To discover more success stories from Mission Ocean and Waters projects, visit our news section.