Using drones and ROVs for remote offshore inspection

The new offering combines aerial drone inspections and subsea inspection services using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), enabling faster and safer assessments of vessels, offshore installations and industrial assets.

“We are very proud to launch this new service,” said Leo Zwagemaker, commercial manager at Ned Marine.

“By integrating arial drone and ROV technology into our NDT services, we can allow our clients to further reduce downtime and make better-informed maintenance decisions. The fact that our inspectors can now also work remotely, with real-time data accessible worldwide, also adds value.” 

Remote and real-time

The move strengthens the company’s position as a full-service inspection provider by integrating advanced remote technologies with existing NDT expertise.

Drone-based inspections will support surveys in confined spaces such as ballast tanks and cargo holds, alongside offshore wind turbines, industrial structures and storage facilities.

The technology reduces reliance on scaffolding, rope access and diving operations, allowing inspections to be completed within hours rather than days while cutting operational downtime for vessel operators.

Alongside aerial inspections, the company’s new ROV systems can conduct subsea inspection work at depths of up to 300 metres.

The remotely operated vehicles provide high-definition live video and inspection data for hull inspections, cathodic protection assessments, structural condition monitoring and pre-docking surveys.

According to Ned Marine, the integrated marine infrastructure inspection approach combines visual testing, ultrasonic thickness measurements and digital reporting to provide vessel operators and offshore asset owners with improved maintenance planning and reduced risk of unexpected failures.