Lloyd’s Register and Fugro announce agreement to streamline USV fleet certification and maintenance
Lloyd’s Register and Fugro announce agreement to streamline USV fleet certification and maintenance
Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Fugro have announced a block fee agreement to streamline the in-service certification and maintenance of Fugro’s growing fleet of autonomous uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
This strategic move simplifies the certification process, enabling faster deployment and ensuring continued compliance with LR’s Code for Unmanned Marine Systems (UMS).
LR has been working with Fugro, a global leader in Geo-data solutions, since 2021 when it certified its first Blue Essence® vessel Fugro Maali. This was the first uncrewed system to be certified by LR and the first to receive LR’s UMS Certificate. Since then, LR has played a key role in supporting Fugro’s USV operations, certifying another four Fugro vessels with more vessels in build.
With the fleet rapidly expanding, this 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. This reduces administrative complexity and ensures that Fugro’s fleet remains compliant with international safety and operational standards.
Fugro’s fleet of 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. Regulators in these regions have recognised and accepted LR’s assurance regime, allowing these vessels to operate safely and efficiently in their waters.
Matthew Palmer, Global Nuclear and Naval Submarines Segment Director at Lloyd’s Register, said: “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. 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.”
Jeffrey Tuckerman, Regulatory Compliance Officer at SEA-KIT, a Fugro company, said: “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. With this agreement in place, we can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in uncrewed maritime technology.”
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About Lloyd’s Register
Trusted maritime advisors, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine engineering, technology and digital solutions. We were created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society to improve and set standards for the safety of ships.
Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance.
We also provide advisory services and digital solutions, supporting fleet and voyage performance and optimisation.
Our digital solutions are relied upon by more than 30,000 vessels, following the acquisition of OneOcean in 2022 and Ocean Technologies Group in 2024.
In the race to zero emissions, our research, advisory and technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition.
Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education.
For more information, go to www.lr.org
About Fugro
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist. With our unique map, model and monitor solutions, we provide project critical insights into the built and natural environment.
Fugro supports clients by delivering solutions in support of the energy transition, large-scale infrastructure development and climate resilience. With expertise in site characterisation and asset integrity, clients are supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design, construction and operation of their assets throughout the life cycle. In line with our purpose, we are extending our know-how and solutions to the understanding and preservation of ecosystems.
Employing close to 11,000 people in 55 countries, Fugro serves clients around the globe, mostly in the energy, infrastructure and water industries, both offshore and onshore. In 2023, revenue amounted to EUR 2.2 billion. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
