Norway’s deep-sea remotely operated vehicle secures funding for upgrade

The University of Bergen has been granted funding to upgrade the Ægir 6000 deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), designed for marine research, and associated infrastructure. This upgrade aims to ensure continued reliability, add new functionality, and improve operational efficiency.

Since its 2015 debut, Ægir 6000 has completed 650 dives, exploring depths ranging from 100 to 5,000 meters, and has been in operation for an average of 150 days per year. However, after years of heavy use, an upgrade is necessary. 

According to GCE Ocean Technology, the ROV plays a role in multiple marine research disciplines, including geology, geophysics, biology, microbiology, and oceanography.

“It is great news that the Research Council of Norway has awarded funding for the upgrade of this sole and important research infrastructure,” said Jon Hellevang, R&D Manager at GCE Ocean Technology.

The project, led by the University of Bergen with the Institute of Marine Research as a partner, applied for NOK 67 million (approximately $6.2 million) for the upgrade. The initial funding for Ægir 6000 came from the Research Council of Norway’s research infrastructure program in 2014.

GCE Ocean Technology has backed the project, noting that this upgrade was a key recommendation in its report, “Seabed Minerals – Test Infrastructure,” which was submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Energy last year.

“State-of-the-art infrastructure and close interdisciplinary collaboration will be important to advance deep sea research in the years to come. This project will be important to contribution to continue and expand this important research activity,” Hellevang added.

According to the University of Bergen, Ægir 6000 is Norway’s first ROV designed for research purposes, capable of diving to depths of 6,000 meters. Equipped with sensory instruments and multiple cameras, it can also deploy a tether management system (TMS) for greater operational flexibility. The TMS also allows it to operate at a wider radius from the vessel. Its cage-like structure aids in transport and storage, noted the University.