A man working on a computer on board a boat.

Supporting the University of Barcelona advance shallow-water mapping

A recent demonstration in Barcelona showed how portable multibeam technology can support both high-resolution coastal research and hands-on teaching in marine geosciences.

  • Text:KONGSBERG

    Photo:Jose Cordero

A stronger platform for coastal research and teaching

For the University of Barcelona, strengthening shallow-water mapping is about more than collecting better data. It is also about giving researchers and students access to tools that are accurate, practical, and ready to use in real field conditions. During a recent visit on 1–2 June, KONGSBERG demonstrated the portable EM2042 system and showed how it can support both advanced coastal surveys and hands-on training in marine geosciences.

With strong expertise in marine geosciences, seafloor mapping, and ocean processes, the University of Barcelona is engaged in both research and higher education that depend on reliable bathymetric data. That makes shallow and coastal environments especially important, not only as areas of scientific interest, but also as settings where students can develop practical survey skills. Research led by David Amblàs, a marine geoscientist at the University of Barcelona, reflects the institution’s focus on high-resolution seafloor mapping and marine geosciences.

Product Manager Jose Cordero explaining the EM2042 features.

David Amblàs and postdoctoral researcher Laura Moscat Martínez lifting the EM2042 transducers out of the water.

Meeting the need for flexible, high-quality shallow-water data

The team was looking for a solution that could deliver high-quality bathymetry and backscatter data in shallow and coastal waters, while also being easy to deploy on vessels of opportunity. Portability, dependable performance, and efficient workflows were all key requirements. The system also needed to fit into existing research and teaching environments, including compatibility with both commercial and open-source processing tools.

Demonstrating EM2042 in the field

To show what that could look like in practice, KONGSBERG verified and tested the EM2042 multibeam echosounder in a portable installation onboard the small vessel Caribdis. The demonstration showed how the system can meet demanding shallow-water survey requirements with minimal integration effort, while still delivering the data quality expected in research applications.

During the visit, the EM2042 demonstrated its ability to produce detailed bathymetry and seabed characterization, supported by accurate motion compensation through miniMRU integration and wide swath coverage. Features such as Dual Swath and Multifrequency mode added efficiency and flexibility, helping the university see how one portable system could support both scientific campaigns and teaching activities.

A solution with value beyond the demonstration

For the University of Barcelona, the value of the EM2042 lies in the combination of precision and practicality. A system that can be installed quickly, used across different platforms, and integrated into established processing workflows creates opportunities not only for more effective coastal mapping, but also for stronger field-based teaching. In that way, the demonstration pointed to a broader role for the system in helping bridge academic learning and applied marine survey work.

Amazing week onboard Caribdis, the UB small boat equipped with the new EM2042 multibeam echosounder. It was great to have the KONGSBERG team with us – professional, approachable, and highly supportive throughout the visit. This upgrade strengthens marine science teaching at the University of Barcelona and supports new research in high-precision marine cartography.

David Amblàs, University of Barcelona

David Amblàs and Laura Moscat Martínez (University of Barcelona), Florian Schäfer, Mikael Isak Nilsen, and Jose Cordero (KONGSBERG).

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