Østensjø Rederi (Østensjø Group) - Experts & Thought Leaders

Announced today at Nor-Shipping in Oslo, a pioneering partnership between Kongsberg Maritime, Solstad, Østensjø, DeepOcean, and Remota will see the launch of a pilot project to explore the potential for remote Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations in the offshore sector. The pilot, set to begin later this year aboard the offshore vessel Normand Sentinel, will explore how remote technology can enhance operational flexibility and expand recruitment opportunities within the maritime industry. By enabling DP operations to be conducted from shore, the project aims to attract a wider and more diverse recruitment base. Remote Operations Centre The shore-based DP operator will work from a Remote Operations Centre (ROC) operated by RemotaThe shore-based DP operator will work from a Remote Operations Centre (ROC) operated by Remota, supported by advanced connectivity and cybersecurity infrastructure. This initiative represents a step toward smarter, more sustainable maritime operations. By leveraging cutting-edge remote technology, the project aims to enhance operational flexibility and unlock new efficiencies in offshore operations. First phase of the project In its first phase, the pilot will involve two vessels: Solstad’s Normand Sentinel and Østensjø’s Edda Freya. Both vessels will maintain full onboard DP teams to ensure safety and provide comparative data. The project will also explore the viability of remote DP2 operations and assess a more flexible model for future operations. Words from President of Kongsberg Maritime Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, President of Kongsberg Maritime, said: “Together with our experienced, forward-thinking, and innovative partners Solstad, Østensjø, DeepOcean, and Remota, we aim to challenge established norms in the maritime industry through innovative remote technology, collectively addressing future challenges with proven technological solutions.” Authority comments Lars Peder Solstad, CEO of Solstad, added: “Together with DeepOcean and Østensjø, we are partnering up with Remota and Kongsberg Maritime to challenge the established by use of remote technology. By combining new technologies with operational experience, we see the opportunity to transfer functions such as DP operations from offshore to onshore.” Kristian H. Vea, CEO of Østensjø, commented: “True progress starts with the right mindset—and the right partners. This collaboration places us at the forefront of remote offshore operations, reinforcing our commitment to advancing smarter, more sustainable maritime solutions.” Øyvind Mikaelsen, CEO of DeepOcean, said: “These great partners, aligned in our goals, and combining the best available technologies, will result in supporting DeepOcean’s vision of being the world-leading ocean service provider and staying at the forefront of remote and uncrewed operations, enabling efficiency gains for offshore energy operators.” Sveinung Soma, CEO of Remota, concluded: “When developing and proving remote DP operations with renowned partners as Østensjø, Solstad, DeepOcean and Kongsberg Maritime, Remota will be in position to offer DP from Remote Operation Centres to the wider DP market. Our customers will benefit from lower operating costs and higher crew utilisation and flexibility.” The partnership is formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Remota AS, the joint venture between DeepOcean, Solstad Offshore, and Østensjø Group has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Hyke (Hydrolift Smart City Ferries) to develop remote operations capabilities for Hyke’s ferries.  Under the LOI, Remota will support Hyke in the development of the remote operations capability of its electric and autonomous water shuttles. The LOI includes provisions for control technology and the interface between Hyke’s water shuttles and Remota’s Remote Operations Centers that will support and enable autonomous operations.  Autonomous vessel control technology “Hyke is on a mission to revolutionise urban mobility for good through new and better waterways,” says Bjørn Utgård, CEO of Hyke, adding “Hyke’s autonomous vessel control technology is already improving operations with functions like auto-crossing, auto-docking, and situational awareness. Collaborating with Remota helps us accelerate the transition to higher levels of autonomous operations.”  About Hyke ferries Hyke offers a complete solution, including electric water shuttles, automatic docking, and charging jetties Building on 35 years of product innovation and performance boat manufacturing at Eker Group, Hyke is setting the new standard for urban waterborne mobility. Hyke offers a complete solution, including electric water shuttles, automatic docking and charging jetties, autonomous navigation technology, and vessel operator applications.  Hyke ferry system Hyke’s solution was recognised in Time Magazine’s 'Best Inventions of 2022', and has been selected by the French Government to operate four of its vessels on a new route on the Seine during the 2024 Paris Olympics.  The Hyke ferry system is filled with intelligent features to simplify fleet management. Every Hyke ferry features proprietary autonomous vessel control technology. This enables operators to improve safety through the auto-docking function supported by sensor packs, reduce costs of operation, and optimise vessel deployment to increase efficiency.  Remote operations for maritime operations  “Hyke’s business proposition is an ideal fit for what we are aiming to achieve with Remota, so we look forward to collaborating to realise both autonomous and remote operations for ferry crossings and achieve substantial cost and environmental savings by doing so,” says Sveinung Soma, CEO of Remota.  Remota was established in 2022 by the Norwegian maritime and offshore industry powerhouses DeepOcean, Solstad Offshore and Østensjø Group. The three companies joined forces to fast-track the adoption of remotely managed services in order to drive down operating costs and emissions for the marine and offshore industries.  Advanced onshore ROCs ROCs operate remotely operated vehicles and underwater drones for the subsea oil and gas industry Remota owns and operates advanced onshore Remote Operations Centers (ROCs), which are key to unlocking huge emission reductions and cost savings from the marine and offshore industries. Currently, the ROCs operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and underwater drones for the subsea oil and gas industry.  Remote management  However, Remota’s intention has always been to expand its service offering to other industries including offering remote operations and semi-autonomous maritime services to existing vessels.  “The collaboration with Hyke will allow us to develop a world-leading remote offering for maritime operations too. This will open up a huge global ferry market for Remota,” adds Sveinung Soma.  First operations in Haugesund and Fredrikstad  The first Hyke water shuttles will be commissioned in Norway in 2023, starting out in Fredrikstad and Haugesund, in 2023.  The LOI between Hyke and Remota will enable remote operations for Hyke water shuttles from Remota’s Remote Operations Center (ROC) in Haugesund.  New rapid river crossing The Fredrikstad project will allow Hyke and Remota to demonstrate the integration In Fredrikstad, Hyke has a close collaboration with the Municipality, which already operates 8 traditional urban ferries, transporting more than 1.5 million passengers per year. Here, Hyke’s water shuttle will be used to create a new rapid river crossing. The Fredrikstad project will allow Hyke and Remota to demonstrate the integration of autonomous operations into traditional ferry networks.  New urban mobility service In Haugesund, Hyke and Remota are collaborating with the Municipality, Karmsund Havn, and the University of Western Norway to pilot fully autonomous operations while establishing a completely new urban mobility service. This new service will reduce travel time, congestion, and emissions in Haugesund and confirm Norway’s position as an industry leader. The Haugesund project has received NOK 11 million from the regional Ulla-Førre fund and will be led by Haugesund Municipality. “Remota’s three founding companies are all based in the Haugalandet region. While the commercial rationale for supporting the Hyke project is rock solid, the fact that this will take place in Haugesund is an added bonus,” concludes Sveinung Soma. 

Norwegian ferry and express boat operators Norled, Remota AS and Seam AS have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to collaborate on the further development and operation of a control centre for marine operations and autonomous operations of ships. Remota is a joint venture between DeepOcean, Solstad Offshore, and Østensjø Group, set up to fast-track the adoption of remotely managed services in order to drive down operating costs and emissions for the marine and offshore industries. Seam is a supplier of zero-emission solutions to the maritime industry. Autonomous operations The three companies intend to build on Remota’s already established control centre for marine and semi-autonomous vessel operations, and further develop this to include control of autonomous operations.  Through a joint control centre environment, the parties want to share experiences, collaborate on technological solutions, promote standardisation, and utilise cross-functional synergies that benefit Norled and its customers, Remota and Seam.  Increase safety and efficiency Autonomous navigation is taking the technology to the next level and we are excited to join forces" “We have many vessels and crossing that we would like to make more autonomous in order to increase safety and efficiency for our passengers and crew. Already back in 2001, we performed our first pilot for auto crossing and auto docking, and we will this year start our third pilot." "Autonomous navigation is taking the technology to the next level and we are excited to join forces with our partners SEAM and Remota to do so," says Erlend Hovland, chief technology officer at Norled. Eco-friendly technology Norled AS is one of Norway's largest ferry and express boat operators. The company has over 70 vessels and operates ferry and express boat services from the Oslofjord to Troms County. Norled has invested significantly in new types of vessels and eco-friendly technology, such as the world’s first electrical ferry in 2015 and the world’s first vessel running on liquid hydrogen in 2023. Remote operations for maritime operations “We are firm believers in competency transfer between different industries. We have extensive experience from remote operations in the offshore oil and gas industry,” says Sveinung Soma, CEO of Remota.  "Both the technology and competence can be transferred to the operation of car and passenger ferries, but we need innovative operators such as Norled to pave the way for this development. The ultimate benefit is substantial cost savings and smaller environmental footprint from vessel operations." Emission reductions, cost savings ROCs operate ROVs and underwater drones for the subsea oil and gas industry Remota owns and operates advanced onshore Remote Operations centres (ROCs), which are key to unlocking huge emission reductions and cost savings from the marine and offshore industries. Today, the ROCs operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and underwater drones for the subsea oil and gas industry. However, Remota’s intention has always been to expand its service offering to other industries including offering remote operations and semi-autonomous maritime services to existing vessels. The collaboration with Norled and Seam will help fast-track this development. Zero emission solutions As well as advanced automation, SEAM delivers complete zero-emission products to a significant part of the Norwegian shuttle ferry market.  Recent research and development together with ongoing projects on hydrogen, ammonia, and other hybrid solutions towards new advanced and greener shipping demands, have put SEAM in a position with regard to power management for new technologies.  System integrator SEAM has put a large number of hours and resources to achieve digitalisation and platforms for the purpose to become an open integrator for the industry. SEAM has put a large number of hours and resources to achieve digitalisation and platforms As a power and automation integrator, it’s natural for SEAM to deliver autonomous systems as a part of the package and it’s important to be a part of a community that's pulling in the same direction. SEAM's role within this agreement is to be the system integrator and technology supplier. Generational shift “This is a very exciting and innovative development project, which will enable a possible generational shift for vessel operations. We are incredibly proud to take part in this exciting collaboration with Remota and Norled,” says CEO at SEAM, Gunvald Mortvedt. The LOI between the three parties was signed today at the Nor-Shipping 2023 industry event at Lillestrøm, outside Oslo, Norway.