There’s more, offshore

A new era of opportunity is on the horizon

Throughout more than 50 years of North Sea energy, Kongsberg Maritime has been a key player, leading many of the mission critical technologies that set the standard for global offshore operations today.

  • Text:Craig Taylor, Senior Manager PR & Communications

    Photo:©Kongsberg Maritime

  • Craig Taylor
    Senior Manager PR & Communications
    (+44) 774 9584 285

Trond Brage Jakobsen, the company’s Senior Vice President, Offshore Energy, has spent his career in the maritime and energy industries and believes that a new period of innovation and investment is dawning, which will see big leaps forward in the way our energy resources are developed. Trond shares his thoughts with Insights.

Our strong foundations in Norway have been instrumental in our development and growth in the offshore sector, globally. With many of our customers pioneering those early days in the North Sea it allowed us, as a technology company, to follow them as they expanded into new markets.

I would say that our customers have consistently demonstrated bravery – offshore is that kind of industry. Whether that’s by adopting new operational methods, embracing cutting-edge technologies or venturing into challenging overseas markets, there’s an element of risk and uncertainty. The initial risk of offshore drilling was considerable. Harsh environments and unknown territories required innovative solutions and robust vessels to withstand the challenges.

Our journey alongside our customers and their clients, the energy companies, has been one of mutual growth, innovation and shared risks. As a technology provider, we have been integral to the offshore industry’s development, continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We all know that this is a cyclical industry, and I have experienced several of the ups as well as the downs. But there is always opportunity to evolve and to innovate, and to be ready for what comes next. From a strategic point of view, KONGSBERG’s acquisition of Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine in 2019 was significant. Combining competencies from both companies strengthened our ability to develop future-proof solutions for customers including for new builds and vessels in operation. This investment brought a new range of products and technologies, perfectly complementing our established capabilities.

Today, we have unrivalled scope across offshore, continuously exploring and developing new technologies and customer-centric solutions. Despite the oil and gas sector’s downturn over the past decade, we invested in technologies to support offshore wind and renewable industries, resulting in innovations now applicable to oil and gas operations.

Our brave customers who ventured into renewable investments are now well positioned to benefit from the upturn in oil and gas. Their foresight and willingness to embrace new ideas have set the stage for a prosperous future. Technology is at the heart of what we do. Known for pioneering Dynamic Positioning (DP), we have integrated DP with advanced energy management systems, enhancing safety and efficiency in operations. Our intelligent power management systems are closely connected with various configurations of electrical systems, ensuring optimal energy consumption during DP operations. This integration allows for more efficient and safer operations while maintaining precise control.

As the offshore industry navigates the complexities of energy transition, Kongsberg Maritime stands out as an ideal partner. Ship owners face a host of challenges and have a range of choices, from alternative fuels and legislation to costs and new ways of working. We can help navigate the complexity and data is a key factor. 

We’re in an exciting period and things are moving quickly. In recent months, we have seen many new developments.

Trond Brage Jakobsen, Senior Vice President, Offshore Energy | Kongsberg Maritime

Our advanced digital applications and expertise enhance offshore operations by providing real-time data, predictive maintenance and optimised performance, and this will play a big part in the fleets of the future.

We’re in an exciting period and things are moving quickly. In recent months, we have seen many new developments, where new ideas are becoming reality to tackle the industry challenges and open up opportunities. For example, our customer REACH SUBSEA ASA has deployed its first remotely controlled USV, carrying out tasks previously handled by much bigger vessels.

That’s a truly transformational opportunity and certainly one to watch. We have worked with Olympic Group on their newly-ordered construction vessels – ships that really push the boundaries of what’s possible from an efficiency and capability perspective and bring together technologies that drive the shift towards smarter ships, capable of managing energy and reducing emissions

The recent development of our cross-tensioning technology for anchoring and mooring operations allows a single vessel to perform tasks traditionally requiring multiple vessels, using winch power instead of thruster pull. This novel approach 
highlights our ability to drive energy transition, not to mention save a lot of fuel. These are just a few examples of how we are helping to shape the future of offshore operations.

Our customers’ pursuit of more efficient, safer and cost-effective operations aligns with the broader industry trend towards decarbonisation and reduced emissions. The lessons learned from the renewable sector are now being applied to oil and gas, driving advancements that benefit both sectors. As we move forward, Kongsberg Maritime remains committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and the energy market.

Related stories