From Pilot to Commercial Breakthrough

What began as a pilot in Byfjorden, Bergen, has now grown into a profitable, nationwide collaboration. NIVA has contracted Nordic USV for daily sampling from 15 fixed stations in Ranafjorden – to monitor discharges from Rana Gruber.

– This project proves that our technology works on the intended scale, says Sander Henriksen, CEO and founder of Nordic USV.

The goal is to map how mining residue spreads in the water masses. The agreement initially runs for two years, with an option for an additional three.

– It’s a big step forward after the pilot project we carried out together in Bergen last year.

Meet Nordic USV in Bergen

Nordic USV has developed a digital solution where customers can plan and order water measurements, while also monitoring and taking control during operations.

– Using a dedicated docking station, all missions can be started and completed remotely by an unmanned vessel, which performs measurements and collects data according to the customer’s plan. The data is then transferred to their system, where customers can download it as needed,” Henriksen explains.

📅 Meet Nordic USV in Bergen: Learn how Fugro and Nordic USV are revolutionizing offshore operations with unmanned vessels at this event on 21 August 2025, 11:30–12:30, at GCE Ocean Technology (2nd floor, VilVite), Thormøhlensgate 51, Bergen.  Read more and register here.

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Fully Remote – No On-Site Supervision

While several operators today run USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles) via remote control, Nordic USV stands apart: they are the first in the world to remotely start and stop missions entirely without physical supervision – thanks to their own docking station.

– Not having to send people out to start or end a mission means lower costs for our customers – and it allows us to operate nationwide, says Henriksen.

While operations in Rana are ongoing, the company is also running missions in other areas along the Helgeland coast for other clients – related to aquaculture monitoring and environmental surveys.

A Young Tech Team

Nordic USV currently has nine employees, six of whom are USV operators – all under 30 years old.

– As a young founder myself, it’s incredibly inspiring to hire and work with such forward-leaning young people. They’ve shown that it’s possible to think differently, build quickly – and deliver professionally, even in a market where big players already operate, says Henriksen.

Collaboration with Ripple Effects

– This is exactly what we work for in the cluster: connecting people who otherwise wouldn’t meet – and contributing to growth through concrete projects, says Owe Hagesæther, CEO of GCE Ocean Technology.

It all began with an interview in the cluster’s own Cluster Insight series, which put Nordic USV on NIVA’s radar. The rest, quite literally, is history.

The success with NIVA has given Nordic USV both momentum and ambition. The company is now considering applying for a place in GCE Ocean Technology’s growth program, which includes a residency at the prestigious MIT in Boston.

The programme recently received NOK 11.9 million in funding from Agenda Vestlandet and Sparebanken Norge.