In subsea operations, reliability, power and efficiency are non-negotionable. Zeerov represents a new generation of ROVs built on fully electric technology to deliver higher performance, lower complexity, and improved sustainability.
Developed during a period of uncertainty in the offshore industry, Zeerov reflects a long-term vison: to stay ahead in ROV development by investing in technologies before the market fully demands them.
The development of Zeerov began back in 2020. What started as an exploration into electric thrusters and potential retrofit solutions, quickly evolved into something far more ambitious: a fully electric ROV system designed from the ground up.
– The idea was to stay ahead of the curve, says the team at Kystdesign. We believed the market would move in this direction, even if it wasn’t fully there yet. Looking back, the timing turned out to be exactly right.
Development
The transition from hydraulic to electric systems required a complete rethink of the ROV architecture. With a clear goal of simplifying and improving global ROV operations, core technologies were developed in-house, from motor design to control systems. This formed the foundation for a fully integrated electric ecosystem, including thrusters, power distribution, tether management systems, and software.
A key decision was the adoption of an 800-volt system, enabling more power through the same infrastructure while increasing energy density and efficiency, in line with developments seen in industries such as electric cars.
Development was carried out through parallel tracks, allowing teams to progress simultaneously and make continuous evaluations along the way.
– A lot had to be solved in a short time, but we focused on making the right decisions at the right time, says Knut Ståle Storesund, Kystdesign’s Chief Technology Officer for Control Systems.
With a relatively small team, short decision paths and close integration between development and testing enabled an efficient process.
Performance and system capabilities
Zeerov delivers a steep change in performance compared to traditional hydraulic systems. The fully electric thrusters provide more than double the performance of earlier solutions, with overall system power exceeding even the largest hydraulic ROVs.
This increse in thrust has a direct operational impact. In regions with strong currents, maintaining position is critical. Zeerov’s capabilities allow it to operate effectively in conditions where conventional systems struggle. Zeerov is designed for long-duration, unmanned operations, with requirements of up to 30 days without intervention. Reliability was a central focus throughout the engineering phase.
Extensive testing was conducted, including internal testing of thrusters and full system validation in 2024. From day one, operational units performed beyond expectations.The first Zeerovs have as of April 2026 logged significant operational time:
- Approximately one year in the North Sea
- Around six months in Australia
- Up to 22 days of continous operation in depths of 1000 metres and wave heights up to 4 meters
Vidar Nordgård Håland was the project manager for the Zeerov project and therefore followed both the development and production closely.
– It’s great to see how well the project turned out. Kystdesign can now demonstrate that our electric ROV actually works. Many companies promote electric ROVs, but we can prove it with a total of 1.5 years in operation. That carries more weight in the market, he says.
Collaboration and market adoption
Launching a completely new electric ROV involved significant risk. Choosing a proven hydraulic system would have been the safer option. Nevertheless, early partners were willing to invest and played a key role in making the project possible, which is essential when introducing new technology.
Reach Subsea was central to this effort and the first in the world to commit to deploying a full work-class ROV spread from an uncrewed surface vessel (USV). Together, Kystdesign and Reach Subsea adapted Zeerov to these requirements, with a strong focus on compact design, integration, and efficient operation in an unmanned setup.
We were initially unsure whether a solution like this was even possible. But based on our previous collaboration with Kystdesign, we trusted their ability to deliver. Through close cooperation and persistence, we’ve developed something truly new—something we can rely on in operation.
Knut Jacob Medhaug,
Group VP Operations & Assets Reach Subsea
Adoption has since accelerated. Multiple units have been ordered, including a fleet from DeepOcean, and major industry players such as Oceaneering have selected Kystdesign’s electric thruster technology for their next-generation ROV systems.
Impact and future potential
Zeerov demonstrates that fully electric ROVs are not only viable, but offer clear advantages in performance, efficiency, and sustainability. With higher energy efficiency, the system delivers more output per kilowatt, enabling more sustainable and cost-effective operations.
– We see a clear shift towards more energy-efficient solutions. Electrification is becoming increasingly important, and may eventually become the standard for new ROV systems, says Olafur Gislason, Sales and Business Development Manager at Kystdesign.
The system has already proven its capabilities in demanding offshore environments and can be adapted to a wide range of subsea tasks. At the same time, it provides a strong foundation for further development and expansion of the «Zee-family».
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of work-class ROVs, Kystdesign is well positioned to build on this momentum and continue shaping the future of subsea operations.
This is the most ambitious development project we’ve ever done and something we’re truly proud of. It has also been a strong internal driver for our teams.
Frode Rabben,
Chief Technology Officer Vehicle Systems
