Subsea technology and engineering company Unique Group has signed a $1.7m contract with maritime tech business Kongsberg Discovery for seabed mapping and compact acoustic positioning equipment. 

The deal covers three systems to be used at Unique’s Singapore business including cNode transponders for underwater acoustic positioning, EM2042 multibeam echo sounders for seabed mapping, and the µPAP Compact USBL for acoustic positioning and data communication. 

Unique Group CEO Sahil Gandhi said the deal will mean the company can provide technology to get the “absolute highest quality data” for customers. 

He said: “The EM2042 multibeam systems will support the demand for both standalone rental and for installation on Unique’s Uni-Max USV for seabed mapping and hydrographic surveys. 

“The EM2042 offers a quad-swathe high ping rate and predictive pitch for beam steering, allowing for increased productivity as higher survey speeds can be achieved without reducing data quality.” 

The deal was signed at the Oceanology International event in London and continues Kongsberg’s relationship with Unique, which already stocks a range of the Norwegian company’s equipment. 

Spencer Collins, vice president of sales at Kongsberg Discovery, said: “The demand for high-specification underwater positioning and mapping technology reflects a burgeoning market, with a range of segments eager to enable the sustainable management, monitoring and development of the ocean space.” 

Kongsberg was founded in Norway in 1814 and has a long history of respect in the maritime industry that has continued into the digital era, last year it signed a contract with swXtch.io to begin digital testing of its products using the cloudSwXtch software.