Press release

Kystdesign signs contract with new client

Kystdesign is proud to announce the signing of a contract with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) for the construction of the advanced Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), the Supporter 6000. The contract was signed this week by NIOZ Director Han Dolman and Kystdesign Director Tore Nedland. The Supporter 6000 will be delivered in June 2026 and will serve the entire Dutch marine research community.

The Supporter 6000 is designed for ultra-deepwater operations, capable of reaching depths of up to 6,000 meters. This state-of-the-art ROV combines unique flexibility and capabilities. It is equipped with six high-resolution cameras and 41 electrical connectors for interfacing external equipment such as tooling, survey sensors, and cameras. It also accommodates 24 hydraulic functions, all proportionally controlled. The ROV control system is prepared for a variety of auto functions like AutoPOS and AutoTRACK capabilities, in addition to over-the-horizon control from a Remote Operation Center (ROC) onshore.

“We currently don’t have anything like it available for the Dutch scientific community,” explains Gert-Jan Reichart, head of the NIOZ Ocean Systems department. “The robot is equipped to take over the work of humans at great water depths. With its six high-resolution cameras and strong gripping arms, it forms our eyes and arms underwater. One of them can rotate along seven different axes.
That’s more than a human arm can move.”

Managing Director in Kystdesign, Tore Nedland opened his speech at the contract signing ceremony by saying Thank You three times. “Thank you for being so thorough and persistent in your search for the right tool for your mission. Thank you for awarding this contract. Kystdesign is proud and excited to once again deliver a new ultra-deepwater ROV with lots of specialized equipment – it’s an honour! Thank you for inviting us to this ceremony, celebrating an important milestone in your mission to explore the great oceans of our common globe. This partnership not only expands our brand into new markets but also underscores our commitment to providing innovative solutions for underwater research.”

The ROV will be assigned a role aboard the RV Anna Weber-van Bosse, the future flagship of the Dutch research fleet. It has been financed by a grant from the Large-Scale Scientific Infrastructure fund.

Kystdesign is committed to delivering cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions for underwater operations. The Supporter 6000 represents a significant advancement in underwater robotics, providing researchers with the tools they need to explore and study the ocean depths.

For more information
Tore Nedland
CEO
nedland@kystdesign.no
+47 907 63 759

About Kystdesign

Kystdesign delivers a wide range of products for various industries as oil & gas, survey, fish farming, ocean research, search/rescue and navy. Our strength is multidisciplinary knowledge at every level, from system level down to component level, from definition and design to prototyping and qualification.

Our in-house multi-discipline engineering team, with specialists in mechanical design, hydraulic systems, electronics and software development combined with extensive offshore experience ensure products fit for operational challenges.

Kystdesign has modern premises at Aksdal, 15km east of Haugesund, Norway. The premises includes offices, workshops, course / training facilities, as well as excellent test facilities including a 10m deep indoor test pool with a large observation window at 5m depth.

About NIOZ

The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) is the national oceanographic institute of the Netherlands, dedicated to advancing the understanding of marine systems and their roles in climate and biodiversity. NIOZ conducts research through four scientific departments: Estuarine and Delta Systems, Coastal Systems, Ocean Systems, and Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry.

NIOZ employs a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers who use in-situ, experimental, analytical, and modeling methods to study marine environments. The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including research vessels, laboratories, and specialized equipment for marine research. The RV Anna Weber-van Bosse, set to join the fleet in 2025, will enhance NIOZ’s capabilities for deep-sea exploration.