Kongsberg Discovery Secures First Commercial Order for Kongsberg Listen & AUV Integration

Kongsberg Discovery has secured the first commercial order for its newly launched Kongsberg Listen electromagnetic sensing solution through an agreement with subsea services provider DOF.

The innovative passive technology will be integrated as part of the payload on a new HUGIN Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) capable of operating at depths of 3,000 metres. This deployment is slated to support deepwater survey and inspection activities for a leading oil and gas operator in Brazil, focusing on offshore fields and subsea infrastructure.

The HUGIN platform is designed to gather data from multiple sensors simultaneously, reducing operational complexity while maximizing survey efficiency. In addition to the Kongsberg Listen system, the DOF vessel will be equipped with an EM2042 multibeam echosounder and a HISAS1032 synthetic aperture sonar. This combination allows for high-resolution seabed mapping, pipeline inspections, and detailed environmental assessments from a single mission.

Kongsberg Listen introduces electromagnetic sensing to the AUV, providing insight into subsea environments where acoustic methods alone may be insufficient. The system is particularly suited for pipeline inspections involving cathodic protection evaluation, marine mineral exploration, and the positioning of buried cables. The technology was brought to market this year following Kongsberg Discovery’s acquisition and further development of Argeo’s electromagnetic sensing assets, featuring enhanced hardware and software designed to streamline the transition from raw measurements to actionable data.

Atle Gran, Senior Sales Manager, Kongsberg Discovery, stated, “HUGIN has built its reputation over decades as the benchmark for autonomous subsea survey capability. By combining it with Kongsberg Listen, alongside proven technologies such as the EM2042 multibeam and HISAS synthetic aperture sonar, we are delivering a truly integrated sensor package that gives ambitious operators such as DOF deeper insight into complex underwater environments.”

Fabio Nobrega, Regional Survey Manager at DOF, added, “The acquisition of the new HUGIN 3000 represents an important step in expanding DOF’s autonomous capabilities in Brazil. The combination of the new Kongsberg Listen solution with all the other sensors strengthens our ability to perform survey operations with greater precision, efficiency, and safety. This investment reinforces DOF’s commitment to applying cutting-edge technology to support our clients and to further advance the use of AUV solutions in Brazilian waters.”

The announcement was made during Oceanology International in London, where Kongsberg Discovery showcased its latest advancements in hydroacoustic sensing, subsea analytics, and inertial navigation, including the debut of a north-seeking MEMS.