Location. The items that name it, and who it appears alongside.
Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) introduced AutoHook, a fully-autonomous vessel recovery interface, at EURONAVAL 2026 in Paris. The system was developed by FMD’s Norway-based division and is the first of its kind. AutoHook aims to enable autonomous recovery operations for naval vessels. The technology was unveiled on November 2, 2026.
Fairbanks Morse Defense unveiled AutoHook™ at EURONAVAL 2026, a fully autonomous vessel recovery system for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) developed by Vestdavit. The system operates without human intervention, achieving reliable performance in Sea State 4 conditions—surpassing current solutions limited to Sea State 2. AutoHook eliminates manual connections, reducing injury risks, and integrates easily with existing vessels due to its compact, clamp-on design. Designed for NATO-aligned interoperability, it supports allied fleets with real-time tracking and autonomous recovery in high-risk maritime environments.
A U.S. autonomous surface vessel participated in a NATO Arctic exercise held in Norway in May 2026. The event marked the integration of unmanned technology into NATO’s operational activities in the region. The exercise aimed to enhance military capabilities and cooperation in Arctic conditions. No further details on the vessel’s role or outcomes were provided.
This paper analyzes the EU’s role in advancing autonomous vessels (MASS) for short-sea shipping, emphasizing its funding of research and integration into supply chains. It examines the EU’s regulatory authority in maritime transport and the ongoing IMO legislative process for MASS. The study compares European regulatory approaches and assesses their impact on Norway. The author recommends the EU adopt a balanced legislative strategy, aligning with international standards while ensuring legal clarity in its waters.
A team of Ocean Engineering students from IIT Madras won the Njord Autonomous Ship Challenge held in Norway. The competition focused on designing and operating autonomous ships. The victory highlights the students' expertise in maritime technology and innovation. The event took place in September 2026.
A team of students from IIT Madras won the Njord Autonomous Ship Challenge held in Norway. The competition focused on designing and operating autonomous ships. The event took place in September 2026. Their victory highlights the team's expertise in maritime automation and engineering.
IIT Madras' Team Aritra secured first place in the Njord Autonomous Ship Challenge held in Norway. The competition focused on developing autonomous navigation and operational capabilities for unmanned vessels. The team's performance highlighted advancements in maritime robotics and AI-driven systems. The event took place in September 2026.
South Korea and Norway discussed trade cooperation on mackerel, joint efforts to eradicate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and collaboration on autonomous ship technology. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties in fisheries and maritime sectors. Both countries explored ways to enhance sustainable practices and technological advancements in shipping. No formal agreements were mentioned in the discussion.
Deputy Minister Nam Jae-heon of South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries met with Norwegian officials on October 26, 2026, to discuss cooperation in autonomous vessel technology and seafood trade. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties in maritime innovation and expanding trade opportunities. No specific agreements or outcomes were detailed in the discussion.
A team of students from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) won the Global Autonomous Vessel Challenge held in Norway in September 2026. The competition focused on designing and operating autonomous maritime vessels. Their victory highlights India’s growing expertise in robotics and autonomous systems. The event attracted international participants from leading engineering institutions.
Sentiq Defence, founded by retired Italian Navy commander Antonio J. Belfiore, has launched as an integrator of autonomous and remotely operated maritime systems for defense, security, and blue economy sectors. The company offers uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), underwater surveillance sonars, ROVs, and aerial drones, aiming to simplify integration and provide turnkey solutions with training and support. Based in Italy, Sentiq focuses on addressing fragmented markets by tailoring commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) systems to customer needs under the principle "command your space." Its growth plan includes expanding partnerships, building a local integration hub, and enhancing training and support services.
This study examines how digital technology impacts maintenance management in shipping, based on input from 14 Norwegian companies. It identifies benefits like improved efficiency, data integration, and real-time collaboration but also challenges such as system compatibility, data ownership, and workforce resistance. Concerns include shifting power dynamics, reduced crew autonomy, and skill gaps in digital competencies. The authors stress the need for holistic planning, change management, and cultural adaptability to balance technology with organizational and human factors.
This paper examines a heading stabilization system for small vessels using a nonlinear robust RISE controller to counteract external disturbances like wind, waves, and currents. The study employs VeSim simulation software to model vessel dynamics and optimize the controller’s tuning parameters under various environmental conditions. Optimal gain coefficients were determined for different disturbance scenarios, creating a database for adaptive controller adjustments. Artificial intelligence methods, such as neural networks, are suggested for selecting parameters based on real-time environmental data.
This study analyzed feedback from 146 passengers who tested an 8.6-meter autonomous ferry in Trondheim, Norway. Most passengers reported feeling safe, found the ferry easy to use, and would recommend it to others. However, nearly 20% were unclear about emergency evacuation procedures. The research highlighted that spatial comfort and clear pre-ride information improved perceived safety and willingness to use the ferry without a safety host.
KONGSBERG has launched two new sonars, Aegir17 and Aegir57N, expanding its Aegir SSA sonar family for maritime security and navigation, with all three models now available for order. Aegir17 offers long-range, 360-degree surveillance, while Aegir57N combines navigation and security in a compact design for unmanned vessels and fixed installations. The company is also developing an AI-powered virtual sonar operator with Viam to automate underwater object detection. The Aegir SSA family leverages commercial sonar technology and AI to enhance subsea monitoring for diverse maritime applications.
Researchers developed an algorithm for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to efficiently map chlorophyll A hotspots by prioritizing sampling locations based on expected improvement. The system uses a Gaussian random field model to represent chlorophyll variations in space and time, updating in real-time with in-situ measurements. Field trials in Norway demonstrated the method’s adaptive sampling capabilities, comparing chlorophyll data with zooplankton distributions. Simulations showed the approach outperformed alternative sampling strategies.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries expanded maritime cooperation with Norway and India in October 2026. Discussions focused on advancing autonomous navigation technology and port development initiatives. The collaboration aims to strengthen partnerships in key maritime sectors. No specific outcomes or agreements were detailed in the announcement.
KONGSBERG expanded its Aegir SSA sonar family with two new models, Aegir17 and Aegir57N, now available for order alongside the existing Aegir57. Aegir17 offers long-range, 360-degree detection for larger platforms, while Aegir57N provides compact, high-definition navigation and security for unmanned vessels and fixed installations. The company also partnered with Viam to develop an AI-powered virtual sonar operator to automate underwater object detection. The Aegir SSA family integrates with broader maritime surveillance systems for enhanced subsea and surface monitoring.
Equinor opened the K-lab Marine Robotics Centre (KNARR) at Norway’s Kårstø processing plant in October 2026 to test underwater robots, autonomous vessels, and related technologies for offshore operations. The facility, connected to an active plant, offers three testing areas at depths of 25, 140, and 250 meters, along with subsea cables and infrastructure for long-term sensor and drone testing. Funded with $1.73 million, the center aims to cut operational costs by hundreds of millions of kroner annually by improving efficiency and reducing reliance on larger vessels. It will support collaboration among industry partners, research institutions, and suppliers to advance autonomous offshore maintenance and monitoring.
The GoNorth 2023 cruise aimed to explore the Gakkel Ridge, part of the global mid-ocean ridge system, but drifting sea ice prevented access to primary survey areas. Research shifted to the western Gakkel Ridge, where a volcanic area and a hydrothermal field were mapped using underwater vehicles. Despite initial setbacks, the team discovered a unique hydrothermal field, "Ultima Thule," at 3,000 meters depth beneath sea ice. The cruise also included ice studies, sediment sampling, and an oceanographic transect across the Fram Strait.
Saildrone has partnered with Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal to construct its Surveyor uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). The collaboration aims to expand production of these autonomous vehicles designed for ocean mapping and data collection. No further details on timelines or production capacity were provided. The agreement marks a step in scaling Saildrone’s USV fleet.
A deep reinforcement learning (DRL) controller using Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) was trained and tested on a full-scale autonomous ferry prototype. The model, trained in a ROS-based 3-DOF simulator for 35 hours, was directly deployed on the physical vessel *milliAmpere1*. Field trials in Trondheim demonstrated the controller met regulatory dynamic positioning (DP) requirements, maintaining station within 4 meters and achieving ±0.25 m and ±5° accuracy after initial adjustments. Minor oscillations were attributed to velocity estimation and environmental factors.