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From vessel to fleet: EGS Australia and Greenroom Robotics scale maritime autonomy from WA
From vessel to fleet: EGS Australia and Greenroom Robotics scale maritime autonomy from WA
Western Australia is advancing scalable autonomous maritime capability with the christening of Fremantle 02, EGS Australia's second optionally crewed surface vessel, powered by Greenroom Robotics' GAMA maritime autonomy system.
Fremantle 02 will now deploy to the Kimberley on its maiden mission to undertake hydrographic survey work under the Royal Australian Navy's HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP).
Harry Hubbert and Charles Collins at the christening of Fremantle 02 in Fremantle, Western Australia.
Proven Results from Fremantle 01
Fremantle 02 builds on the success of Fremantle 01, which demonstrated a 94% reduction in diesel use, operating costs up to 75% lower than traditional crewed survey operations, and approximately 135 tonnes of avoided carbon emissions during a 42-day offshore mission.
Autonomy reduces the need for large crews and associated onboard facilities such as accommodation and catering, allowing missions to be undertaken by smaller, more fuel-efficient vessels.
The compact design of the Fremantle vessels also allows them to be transported by road. Fremantle 02 will travel from Fremantle to the Kimberley in around two days, compared with approximately seven days by sea for a traditional survey vessel, saving an estimated 2,000 litres of fuel before operations even begin.
The Fremantle USVs combine compact vessel design with Greenroom Robotics' autonomous navigation and control technology, enabling complex hydrographic survey operations to be conducted more efficiently than with conventional crewed survey vessels.
A Force Multiplier for Survey Operations
Operating Fremantle 01 and Fremantle 02 together creates a force-multiplier effect, enabling missions to be completed in around half the time, without requiring more crew at sea. The fleet approach also demonstrates how autonomy can scale across multiple vessels, increasing operational capacity while easing workforce pressures across both commercial and Defence maritime operations.
As an optionally crewed vessel, Fremantle 01 undertakes around 90% of its missions autonomously. When required by the mission profile, client requirements or regulatory conditions, crew can board and control the Fremantle vessels rather than deploying a separate vessel.
Charles Collins, Chief Surveyor at EGS Australia, said Fremantle 02 marked the next stage in the company's adoption of autonomous survey technology.
"The operation of Fremantle 01, equipped with Greenroom's GAMA autonomy, has proven the effectiveness, commercial viability and environmental benefits of uncrewed surface vessels," Mr Collins said.
"Fremantle 02 builds on those results and marks the beginning of an optionally crewed fleet that will enable us to deliver high-quality survey services more efficiently and with a substantially reduced environmental footprint."
Scaling Australian-Developed Autonomy
Greenroom Robotics co-founder and COO Harry Hubbert said Fremantle 02 demonstrated how Australian-developed autonomy could be scaled into operational fleets.
"Fremantle 02 is an operational capability delivering measurable commercial, environmental and Defence outcomes.
"The maritime industry, across both commercial and Defence sectors, is under real pressure to find people willing to spend weeks at sea. Fremantle 01 and 02 show that autonomy is not about removing people from the equation but giving operators greater choice over when a vessel needs to be crewed. That flexibility, built on Australian-developed technology, is what makes this fleet model scalable across both sectors," Mr Hubbert said.
Greenroom Robotics' GAMA technology provides autonomous control, navigation and remote operations capability for EGS Australia's expanding uncrewed and optionally crewed fleet. Together, the companies are delivering a scalable and lower-impact approach to national hydrographic charting and commercial marine survey operations.
About EGS Australia
EGS Australia is a leading hydrographic survey company delivering high-quality hydrographic, geophysical and metocean data acquisition, processing and reporting to clients worldwide. EGS specialises in delivering innovative and efficient solutions for marine mapping and seabed characterisation.
