Houston-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity received DNV’s Statement of Compliance for the remotely supported operational concept for the Armada 78 fleet of offshore survey vessels in early September 2024.
The approval from DNV establishes Ocean Infinity as the industry’s first organisation to reach the required standard of technology and operations for large vessels, and permits the beginning of onshoring marine related tasks and activities. The SOC was presented at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg.
The DNV Statement of Compliance was given for Armada 78 03, the first vessel in the Armada fleet to complete the upgrade and verification process. The next two vessels to be upgraded to meet the new standard are in their final stages of testing, while at the same time work is underway for the next phase of the company’s remote marine operations programme.
The first series of eight 78m ammonia-ready Armada vessels was completed with the delivery of the final unit in January 2024. The vessels are prepared for green ammonia as a fuel with fuel cell and battery technology and are designed for an ultra-low carbon footprint.
Ocean Infinity placed an order with Vard for the new series of 86m robotic vessels in February 2022 and construction work was undertaken at the Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam. All units will be operated from shore and eventually utilise green ammonia as fuel.
