An uncrewed surface vessel (USV) that uses satellite technology supported by ESA Space Solutions is helping to collect unprecedented amounts of ocean data. So let’s train our binoculars on SEA-KIT, the remotely-controlled robo-boat that’s making waves in the maritime sector.

The quality of our oceans is declining with an increasing demand for better stewardship of this global resource. As of June 2020 only 20% of the ocean floor had been mapped. However, large vessels are costly and have a heavy operational carbon footprint with frequent crew changes (flights). 

“The challenge we’ve always had is the amount of data that needs to be communicated between the vessel and the shore,” says  Neil Tinmouth, Chief Operating Officer of SEA-KIT. “This is something that SEA-KIT’s USVs now successfully address.” 

SEA-KIT’s 12m Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) known as ‘Maxlimer’ proved astonishing capability in conducting long endurance over-the-horizon surveys using satellite communication on a 22-day Atlantic mission in July 2020.Uncrewed vessels operating ‘over the horizon’ are dependent on satellite communication to transfer situational awareness information from the vessel to operators – which can then be assessed to send back appropriate ‘command and control’ signals. 

Unexplored ocean frontiers

Maxlimer surveyed more than 1000km2 of previously-unmapped ocean floor on Europe’s continental margin and collected a staggering 1.5 billion data units. 

“The vessel receives situational awareness information from six CCTV cameras, a thermal imaging camera, radar and AIS (Automatic Identification System),” says Piera di Vito, Technical Officer at ESA. “This round-the-clock information is sent back to the remote-control centre in Essex via one of the communication channels on board. These communication channels include maritime VSAT antennae with multiple VSAT backup. Throughout Maxlimer’s mission, the communication robustness of the VSAT communication reached just over 98% availability data units.” 

SEA-KIT is currently building a series of USVs for leading Geo-data specialist, Fugro, the first of which is now undergoing trials in Australia ahead of commencing uncrewed ROV pipeline inspections on the country’s North West Shelf.

 “This is a huge achievement for the British SME, says Piera. “We are thrilled to have helped SEA-KIT in spite of the challenges of the health crisis. This is a hot topic – it can be difficult to find place in the market, but SEA-KIT have done it!

“The strategic partnership with Fugro who supported the project also represents a major acceleration to Fugro’s strategy of leading the development of remote and autonomous solutions – and they have become sustainable commercially”. 

Peter Walker, Director of Technology at SEA-KIT, says:  “This project has demonstrated the capabilities of current technologies to survey unexplored or inadequately surveyed ocean frontiers. It is a ground-breaking achievement to prove true over-the-horizon capability. Uncrewed vessels are set to play a prominent role in the future of marine survey and inspection.” 

Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency who co-funded the project through ESA’s Space Solutions Business Applications programme adds: “Robot boats could radically change the way we work at sea and this project has given us a unique window into the future potential of satellite-enabled maritime operations.”

ABOUT ESA SPACE SOLUTIONS

ESA Space Solutions is the go-to-place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of society and economy. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs in Europe in the development of business using satellite applications and space technology to improve everyday life. Our programme is designed to provide multiple entry points such as ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs), ESA Technology Broker Network, and ESA Business Applications programme. Funding typically ranges from 50KEuro to 2MEuro and supports everything from space technology transfer, early-stage incubation programs, Feasibility Studies to large-scale Demonstration Projects. 

ESA is ready to support Industry in developing and demonstrating services addressing Smart and Uncrewed Shipping that are enabled by converged Space and 5G communications and/or advanced PNT technologies. 

On 17 March 2021, the European Space Agency (ESA), in coordination with several maritime stakeholders throughout Europe, will launch a Call for Proposals. The call will invite companies to submit their ideas for deploying and demonstrating commercially sustainable space-based services relying on innovative technologies in Telecommunications and Satellite Navigation, such as 5G and advanced PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing) technologies. Solutions are expected to address the needs identified by maritime stakeholders including European ports, EU and government agencies, maritime authorities, industry associations and alliances. 

With respect to the UK, ESA is cooperating with the UK Space Agency, UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and Department for Transport (DfT).  This collaboration is based on the Memorandum of Intent signed in December 2019 by ESA and DCMS, the main purpose of which is to support the emergence of space-based, commercially sustainable products and services, enabled by the deployment of converged 5G terrestrial and space networks. The ESA and DfT collaboration is in view of the development and roll-out of new forms of mobility and transport.

The services shall demonstrate innovation in the application of advanced PNT and/or converged Space and 5G terrestrial communications networks in the maritime sector, paving the way for new connectivity, navigation solutions and sustainable business models for stakeholders operating in this sector. Such services could be conceived to enable improved autonomy and navigation of maritime vessels, efficiency and/or security of port operations, sustainability of processes in the maritime domain, and more.

The call will invite companies to submit proposals for development and demonstration projects showcasing the value of innovative space-based downstream services and solutions in the smart and uncrewed shipping domain. The call themes and use cases have been defined through dialogue with a number of European stakeholders. 

In the UK, besides the contributions of DCMS and DfT outlining UK government strategic priorities in the sector, conversations took place also with stakeholders such as the British Ports Association and UK Major Ports. 

The projects will be funded through the ARTES 5G and Space Solutions programmes of ESA, with a possible supporting contribution of the NAVISP (Navigation Innovation and Support Programme) in relation to the development of advanced navigation technologies.

 “The added value of space technologies in the maritime sector has been self-evident for a long time. The advent of novel telecommunications and navigation capabilities will enable yet more innovative applications in this burgeoning sector, and this call for proposals will catalyse their development and deployment”, stated Elodie Viau, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman from DCMS said: "I look forward to seeing the exciting proposals on how we can harness innovations in space-based and 5G technology to boost our maritime shipping sector. This is the latest in a long list of cutting-edge projects we are funding to explore how 5G-powered emerging technologies, from driverless vehicles to drones, can be the rocket fuel British industries need to build back better from the pandemic.”

Proposals can be submitted anytime until 15 September 2021. Please note that two deadlines will be in place – the first on 15 June, the second on 15 September.  Proposals will be assessed and feedback provided at each of these times.

Join in on 17 March 2021 CET for a live conversation with representatives of ESA, DCMS, UKSA, DfT and experts within the maritime sector to reflect on this opportunity, the problems and opportunities within maritime today and those anticipated in the future. 

The call is open to European companies from subscribed member states. Additional information can be found at: https://business.esa.int/funding/invitation-to-tender/smart-and-uncrewed-shipping