New research from CSIRO and the University of Toronto has found up to 11 million tonnes of plastic pollution on the seafloor. With plastic use expected to double by 2040, understanding how and where plastic is spread is critical to protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife. The seafloor has become the repository for most plastic pollution, with an estimated 3 to 11 million tons of plastic sinking to the bottom of the ocean. The study used data from remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and seafloor trawls to estimate the amount and distribution of plastic on the ocean floor. Research also shows that plastic mass clusters around continents, with about half of the world's seafloor plastic mass estimated to be located above 200 meters.

Marine seismic data company PGS has secured a large-scale 3D contract offshore the South Atlantic from a multi-client company. The contract, worth $10 million or more, involves a Ramform Titan-class vessel expected to enter service in June. PGS President and CEO Rune Olav Pedersen praised the vessel’s ability to conduct large-scale exploration surveys.

GeoAcoustic has launched the GeoPulse 2 seafloor profiler, a versatile tool designed for pipeline inspections, geological surveys, dredging surveys, environmental assessments and buried object detection. The tool can reach deeper waters for data collection at offshore wind farms and is a drop-in replacement for the GeoPulse Pinger. GeoPulse 2 is available in 4, 9 or 16 sensor configurations and has an operating depth range of 5,000 m. It can achieve resolutions up to 6 cm and penetration depths of up to 80 m in fine clays and 20 m in sand. GeoAcoustics also integrates GeoPulse Compact with Geo-Suite seismic acquisition software, launching a new GIS-based data collection, processing, interpretation and 3D visualization solution.

Norwegian state-owned company Petoro has awarded a framework agreement to AGR to provide independent consultancy and third-party validation studies in the subsurface, drilling, well and field development sectors. The agreement is valid for three years, with the option of two one-year extensions. AGR's services span reservoir and well management, well controls, operating geologists and resource allocation. Petoro’s expertise in reservoir modeling, well integrity and NCS earned AGR the agreement.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won a 2023 Innovation Award for its 6.5-foot drone, the SURVEYOR AMY. Designed by a team of 36 employees, the vessel can travel at 16 knots and collect hydrographic survey data, including water depth and seafloor structure. This information is critical to New York and New Jersey's coastal storm risk management program. The vessel can collect data for dam safety, levee and bridge inspections, and remote shallow water locations that are inaccessible to ships. It can also help in emergency situations by being up and running within hours. The spacecraft's multi-beam system can collect up to 20,000 high-resolution, three-dimensional detail points per second along the seafloor. The ship is unique in that it is able to right itself when ocean conditions cause it to tip over. The project was led by Francis Postiglione, a long-time Army Corps employee and chief of the survey and mapping department.

Norwegian crane specialist Motus Technology has been awarded a contract by Seatrium to design and build the platform main crane for the Empire Wind 1 offshore substation. The crane, designed to lift 5 tonnes at a height of 30 metres, will be delivered to Seatrium’s Singapore shipyard and then installed in Long Island. The crane will comply with U.S. statutory laws and regulations for inspection, installation and operation in U.S. federal offshore areas. The 810-megawatt offshore wind project will power hundreds of thousands of New York homes and contribute to America’s energy transition goals for a low-carbon future.

French subsea power cable manufacturer Nexans and transmission system operator TenneT have signed cancellation contracts for the BalWin3 and LanWin4 offshore grid connection projects to connect North Sea offshore wind farms to the German grid. The contracts, worth a total of €5.5 billion, will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. Nergesen will use its new 525 kV HVDC XLPE cable technology and innovative "quad-bundle" cabling method on the project.

Swire Renewable Energy Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tianli Offshore Wind Technology Co., Ltd. to provide operations and maintenance services to Taiwan’s offshore wind turbine industry and the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement aims to improve the efficiency, reliability and sustainability of offshore wind farms in Taiwan and other markets. Swire New Energy has established a strong presence in Taiwan, contributing to key projects.

Research from Plymouth Marine Laboratory identified five high-risk areas where floating plastic waste poses the greatest risk to North Atlantic marine life. Plastic waste entered the world's aquatic ecosystems in 2016 and is expected to triple by 2030. Land-based plastic sources account for approximately 80% of plastic pollution in the marine environment, including disposable items such as plastic bags, bottles, wrapping paper, and food. Containers and cutlery are common. More than 4,000 marine and coastal species are affected by marine plastic debris, with some species more sensitive to pollution. The study assessed the risks of terrestrial plastic litter to key marine megafauna and selected productive and biodiverse habitats. The identified high risk zones (HRZ) include British waters, the Azores, the French and US Atlantic coasts, and the US Gulf of Mexico. The most dangerous marine megafauna are seabirds, cetaceans, turtles and cartilaginous fishes. Mangroves and coral reefs are the most dangerous habitats, with entanglement and suffocation causing coral and mangrove branches to break and become diseased.

British offshore energy company Verlume has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Swedish energy technology company SeaTwirl to collaborate on the electrification of offshore assets and decarbonization of the oil and gas industry. The partnership aims to identify opportunities in renewable energy and subsea energy storage, with the goal of leveraging its combined technologies to commercialize customized systems. Verlume’s subsea energy storage system is designed to be independent of renewable energy inputs.