Fugro Recognized by Marine Technology Society for Industry-Leading Efforts to Close Seabed Mapping Data Gap
Fugro has received the Marine Technology Society (MTS) 2018 Compass Industrial Award for outstanding private sector contributions to marine science and technology.
In selecting Fugro for the honour, MTS cited the company’s legacy of marine survey innovation and its industry-leading support of The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project (Seabed 2030). David Millar, Fugro’s government accounts director for the Americas region, accepted the award. “We are grateful to MTS for recognising our efforts with Seabed 2030. Given that a significant proportion of Fugro’s work is ocean related, supporting this project is a way for us to positively impact global society and practice good ocean stewardship,” Millar said.
Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between Japan's Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). It aims to produce a definitive, high-resolution bathymetric map of the entire world's ocean floor by the year 2030. The resulting data will be used to inform global policy, improve sustainable use of the ocean and advance scientific research. Meeting the project goal demands strong industry support, as less than 20 percent of the oceans currently is mapped to modern survey standards.
One of the primary ways Fugro is supporting Seabed 2030 is with crowd sourced bathymetry data contributions. In 2017, the company devised a method of operating its vessel-based multibeam echosounder systems autonomously while transiting between marine survey projects. To date, the company has contributed more than 100,000 square kilometres of high resolution crowd sourced bathymetry to Seabed 2030. Many of these data (specifically those collected along the Western and Northern Atlantic) have also benefited a regional initiative known as the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation, signed in 2013 between the United States, Canada and the European Union.
“I am proud to see Fugro receive this prestigious award and hope their crowd sourcing approach of using vessels in transit to collect and contribute bathymetry data to Seabed 2030 sets a trend for all other vessels at sea,” said MTS President Donna Kocak.
MTS presented the award, sponsored by Compass Publications, to Fugro during the 2018 OCEANS Conference and Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina, USA
ABOUT FUGRO
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it. Adopting an integrated approach that incorporates acquisition and analysis of Geo-data and related advice, Fugro provides solutions. 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 full lifecycle.
Employing approximately 10,000 talented people in 65 countries, Fugro serves clients around the globe, predominantly in the energy and infrastructure industries, both offshore and onshore. In 2017, revenue amounted to EUR 1.5 billion. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
ABOUT MTS
The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is a nonprofit international community of ocean engineers, technologists, policymakers and educators that provides the ocean community with forums for the exchange of information and ideas through international conferences, its peer-reviewed MTS Journal, newsletters and website (www.MTSociety.org).
For more information:
Haley Hollis
t: +1 713 369 5597