For the first time, an unmanned survey vessel purpose-built for offshore operations has completed a multi-day deployment at an active wind farm construction site. Van Oord's VO:X Barentsz supported monopile and cable installation works at Ecowende's Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm, operating alongside installation vessels Boreas, Nexus and Subsea Viking.
The VO:X Barentsz is the fifth unmanned survey vessel in Van Oord's fleet and the first specifically designed for open-sea operations. Developed in close collaboration with Demcon Unmanned Systems, the vessel builds on the same hardware and software platform as its four predecessors, while expanding that foundation with new technologies and functionalities tailored to offshore conditions. It is capable of sustained survey activities lasting several weeks and suited to a range of applications, including support for dredging operations, offshore wind farm installation and maritime infrastructure projects.
Broader rollout of autonomous survey operations
John van der Marel, USV lead at Van Oord, commented on the significance of the deployment: "With the deployment of VO:X Barentsz, we demonstrated how unmanned survey vessels can operate remotely over multiple days, delivering high-quality data while continuing to advance innovation in offshore surveying."
The deployment marks a significant milestone in the broader rollout of autonomous survey operations in the offshore industry. By removing the need for an onboard operator and surveyor, USVs increase safety while enabling Van Oord to gather more measuring data at lower cost. Applied to the monitoring of critical infrastructure such as subsea cables, the technology offers a compelling combination of efficiency, safety and reduced environmental impact, without compromising on survey standards.