Opens maritime test bed for protecting critical infrastructure

The new facility strengthens KONGSBERG’s ability to offer integrated solutions that protect potentially vulnerable assets foundational to modern life, from subsea pipelines and power cables to energy installations and ports.

Partnering for progress

Opened Monday this week, the Oslofjord Critical Maritime Infrastructure (CMI) Protection Test Bed provides a global centre of excellence where the latest technologies, products, and systems can be both tested and demonstrated.

“The Oslofjord Test Bed provides us with a concrete tool to strengthen maritime preparedness. The centre is the result of collaboration between industry, researchers and authorities – and demonstrates how Norwegian technology and innovation can be applied to meet a new era of more complex threats and higher demands for security,” says Norwegian Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.

The facility also enables stakeholder collaboration, giving partners and authorities the chance to explore different scenarios, simulate responses and undertake training with real-time monitoring data from radars, satellites, and innovative underwater sensors. Additionally, it will operate as a forum for discussion and knowledge sharing, addressing emerging challenges and assessing future solutions.

Rising risk, growing need

Speaking about the development, KONGSBERG CEO Geir Håøy comments,

“With ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and an increasingly dynamic risk picture, the need for safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure has never been greater. At KONGSBERG, we are uniquely positioned to deliver scalable technologies, combining subsea autonomy, satellite surveillance, traffic monitoring and real-time analytics for greater awareness, understanding and, ultimately, action when it comes to countering threats.”

This facility will further develop and showcase innovations, from Kongsberg Discovery’s underwater sensors and drones to Kongsberg Norcontrol’s traffic monitoring systems and KSAT, combating Global Maritime Security Challenges through satellite-derived insights.

“While working closely with authorities and business partners to enhance safety. By bringing together technology, insights, and stakeholders at this hub, we can help ensure the best approach to safeguarding key assets and society itself,” Håøy states.

From sea to space

The Oslofjord CMI Protection Test Bed has been launched in the aftermath of the Norwegian Government’s White Paper on Total Preparedness, which stressed the need for deeper cooperation between public authorities and industry to meet complex, evolving security challenges.

Kongsberg Discovery, offering decades of proven expertise within subsea robotics and sensor technology, is ideally positioned to lead the way, with unique capabilities spanning from the seabed to outer space. The company portfolio includes technology such as the HUGIN family of AUVs (the world’s most commercially successful AUV), AIS Space Receivers, and the latest Dual Axis and frequency multibeam sonars.

Critical confidence

The Oslofjord CMI Protection Test Bed has already drawn interest from across Europe, with delegations from both public and private sectors exploring opportunities for joint research, development and training. The centre is actively aligned with EU security initiatives and contributes to several programmes under the European Defence Fund.

Håøy comments: “We are dedicated to developing technology that enables users to patrol, surveil and protect critical maritime infrastructure with the utmost confidence. Our systems work across all layers of the maritime environment to collect data, with advanced software, AI and machine learning harnessing that power to deliver intelligence, understanding and optimal situational awareness."

“Threats to critical infrastructure are growing, through both conventional and hybrid targeting, as well as increasing traffic and climate risk, and we need the innovations, strategies and collaborations to counter them. This new facility is central to that mission. We’re delighted to announce its opening,” says Håøy.