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Hydrographic surveys to improve maritime safety in Papua New Guinea

May 25, 2017  - By

Papua New Guinea

Fugro has been awarded six contracts by the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) of Papua New Guinea. The hydrographic survey packages are expected to contribute to capacity development in the country, which has more than 5,000 kilometers of coastline.

The surveys will be conducted using a combination of Fugro’s Airborne Lidar Bathymetry (ALB) and multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) sensors, and a seamless dataset will be delivered to the NMSA.

“As a pioneer of ALB development, Fugro has a solid track record in applying this advanced technology for mapping shallow water environments safely and cost- effectively,” said Paul Seaton, Fugro’s regional business development manager for Asia Pacific.

The surveys in deeper waters will be performed by vessel, and Fugro will also conduct a comprehensive tides campaign throughout the survey area.

The contracts are part of the Asian Development Bank-funded Maritime Waterways Safety Project that aims to improve the safety and efficiency of the country’s international and national shipping in coastal areas and waterways. By improving the maritime environment and making coastal shipping safer, the project will facilitate travel, trade and tourism for rural communities.

Fugro has also begun a hydrographic survey encompassing an area of Norwegian waters of 15,000 square kilometers. The contract was awarded by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service and has a value of 34.5 million NOK (approximately €3.8 million).

The survey is part of the MAREANO program, for which Fugro has successfully completed a number of surveys since 2006. The Norwegian program maps depth and topography, sediment composition, contaminants, biotopes and habitats. It takes place in the Barents Sea with various areas located above the 78th parallel and typical water depths ranging from 80 to 3,500 meters.