Innovation Norway has awarded financing to ScanReach for a series of significant development projects to make operations safer, greener and more efficient at sea by bringing wireless connectivity to the maritime and offshore industries. Valued at NOK 18.5 million, it is one of the largest support packages of its kind from Innovation Norway this year.

“ScanReach has spent the last five years developing a unique technology for onboard wireless digital communication through steel. Applying this technology will be a key driver for digitalization and optimization of the global maritime industry, while creating enormous opportunities for value creation in the Norwegian maritime industry,” says John Roger Nesje, ScanReach CEO. 

Funding from Innovation Norway supports up to 60% of total contract costs. The contracts were selected for their ability to demonstrate innovation with the potential to strengthen competitiveness in Norway, while providing clear benefits for clients. “We are pleased to be able to help ScanReach deliver the full value of this innovative Norwegian technology to customers in the maritime and offshore industry,” confirms Nina Broch Mathisen, regional Director in Innovation Norway Vestland.

The five pilot projects will cover enhanced personnel protection for the offshore wind industry, retrofitting ships for real time monitoring of fuel consumption, a retrofit solution for environmental monitoring of hazardous areas and rooms on board vessels, wireless sensor solutions for automatic Man Over Board (MOB) and fall detection, and enhanced personnel protection for the oil and gas industry. Partners include Olympic Shipping, REM Offshore, Havila Shipping, Peak Group, Dess Aquaculture Shipping and Awilco Drilling. The projects start in 2020 and will run until 2022.

“We are pleased for the opportunity to help our project partners meet ever-increasing demands for safety and efficiency in their daily operations. The support from Innovation Norway confirms the validity of our solutions in this effort.  We believe 2020 will be a milestone in the digitalization of the maritime industry,” Nesje concludes.