Reach Subsea is at the forefront of offshore operations transformation through their REACH REMOTE programme, featuring uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) designed for remote control with integrated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capabilities and sustainable, safety, and efficiency in mind. Reach Subsea has made substantial strides toward global roll out with this technology as evidenced by announcements and approvals over recent months
Trading Permit Granted for Fully Remote Operations
Reach Subsea made history when Norwegian Maritime Authorities (NMA) approved Reach Remote 1, authorizing fully remote operations without crew support vessels. DNV verified this approval as equivalent or superior safety and situational awareness as compared with manned vessels.
On October 11, 2025, Reach Remote 1 launched its inaugural independent mission for Shell at Ormen Lange field operating entirely from shore-based control centers. Jostein Alendal, CEO of Reach Subsea and NMA's COO Inge Grutle highlighted Reach Subsea's role in revolutionizing subsea operations through ocean robotics while attributing success of reduced emissions and minimized offshore personnel costs to Reach Subsea programs such as this one.
REACH REMOTE 2 Delivered and Deployed
Reach Subsea has completed delivery of REACH REMOTE 2, a 24-meter UT5208 design vessel from Kongsberg Maritime and completed technical installations, testing, and documentation of this new vessel. Building on Reach Remote 1's successful 2025 pilot campaign which won the Ship of the Year 2024 award from SMM, this vessel is now ready for commercial projects
REACH REMOTE 2 has set sail for Australia to provide services with Woodside Energy, supported by regulatory and classification approvals in Australian waters as well as Reach Subsea's Remote Operations Centre. Reach Subsea is expanding their global footprint by using harsh North Sea experience for international markets.
New Orders have been placed for REACH REMOTE 3 and 4.
Reach Subsea exercised its exclusive options with Kongsberg Maritime on September 24, 2025 to purchase two REACH REMOTE 3 and 4 units based on Kongsberg's proven UT5208 platform with minor optimizations from operational insights. Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2027 with total investment expected to amount to approximately $62.6 million (NOK 620 million), including EU funding with two thirds being provided by banks.
Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, President of Kongsberg Maritime, highlighted industry trust in remote technologies by noting seamless integration and transformative potential of REACH REMOTE concept. Ronny Pal Kvalsvik, Vice President Sales Ship Design at Kongsberg, acknowledged their ongoing partnership with Reach Subsea as a repeat client driving maritime innovation.
Jostein Alendal noted that vessels 3 and 4 signal entry into the scale-up phase, merging subsea expertise with Kongsberg & Massterly's remote navigation from operations centers for remote navigation of remote missions; Reach Subsea manages subsea missions such as ROV control and data processing enabling efficient shore-based services.
Strategic Partnerships and Outlook.
REACH REMOTE fleet integrates advanced systems from Kongsberg Maritime with operational management by Massterly, a Kongsberg-Wilhelmsen joint venture. Reach Remote 1 has already successfully deployed in Norway for Equinor, TotalEnergies and Shell to demonstrate real world viability.
Reach Subsea is poised to meet rising demand for greener offshore solutions with its exclusive options for further vessels, positioning Reach Subsea as a long-term partner and meeting rising environmental impact while improving responsiveness and global reach as noted by COO Grutle.