Fugro has been awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to supply an advanced Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) system as part of a new submarine rescue vessel for the Republic of Korea Navy. The system will enhance the operational capabilities of the auxiliary submarine rescue vessel - ASR-II - which is being provided by South Korean shipbuilder, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME).

Designed and built by Fugro at its ROV production facility in Singapore, and with a water depth operating capability of 1000-meters, the ROV system will be installed as part of the rescue vessel’s onboard submarine recovery systems. Offshore trials will take place prior to the vessel entering operational service in 2022.

The ASR-II is the latest generation auxiliary submarine rescue vessel and will be equipped with a state-of-the-art saturation diving system (with a 300-metre depth capability) and a new deep-sea rescue vehicle (DSRV) for submarine crew rescues to depths of 500 meters.

William Lee, Fugro’s ROV service line director for the Asia Pacific region, explained that the company’s sound technical capability and robust operational track record helped to secure the contract. Global service line director of ROV services, Doug Graham, added, “This award demonstrates our ability to deliver best-in-class ROV systems that have proven reliability in challenging marine environments.”