Fugro’s in-service certification deal with Lloyd’s Register cuts time to USV deployment

Dutch Fugro has made a move to simplify the certification process for its growing fleet of autonomous uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) with the signature of an agreement with Lloyd’s Register.

The signature of the block fee agreement to streamline the in-service certification and maintenance of Fugro’s USV fleet simplifies the certification process, enabling faster deployment and ensuring continued compliance with LR’s Code for Unmanned Marine Systems (UMS). 

The partners have been working together since 2021 when LR certified Fugro’s first Blue Essence vessel Fugro Maali. This was the first uncrewed system LR certified and the first to receive LR’s UMS Certificate. Since then, LR certified another four Fugro vessels with more vessels in build.

“This agreement marks a major milestone in our partnership with Fugro and in the evolution of uncrewed vessel certification. By implementing a block fee structure, we are enabling Fugro to maintain its fleet efficiently under LR’s UMS Code, ensuring operational availability and compliance,” said Matthew Palmer, Global Nuclear and Naval Submarines Segment Director at Lloyd’s Register.

“This is yet another industry first for Fugro, who achieved the first LR UMS Certificate and currently have the most vessels certified against LR’s UMS Code.”  

According to Fugro, with the fleet rapidly expanding, the new agreement establishes a more efficient framework for certification, replacing the previous vessel-by-vessel approach with a streamlined process under a consolidated block fee structure, thereby reducing administrative complexity and ensuring the fleet remains compliant with international safety and operational standards.  

Fugro’s LR-certified USVs operate in various locations, including the UK, UAE, Australia, Denmark, and the Netherlands, performing tasks such as offshore energy inspections, subsea cable surveys and environmental monitoring.

“This block fee arrangement with LR is a crucial step in managing our expanding fleet. It allows us to efficiently maintain our growing fleet to the highest standards of safety and compliance, ensuring our clients receive reliable and high-quality data from our USV operations,” Jeffrey Tuckerman, Regulatory Compliance Officer at SEA-KIT, a Fugro company, said.

“With this agreement in place, we can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in uncrewed maritime technology.”