VESSEL REVIEW | Azores Ocean – Deep-sea and fisheries survey boat for deployment off Portugal

The research vessel Azores Ocean arrived at Horta in the Azores Autonomous Region (AAR) of Portugal on August 5, 2026, following construction at Armón Vigo’s facilities in Spain. Built for the Azores Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, the vessel is intended to map the seabed and study deep water ecosystems in the waters within the archipelago’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

According to the AAR Government, the investment totalled about €30 million (US$34 million). Of this, about €20 million (US$23 million) was allocated to construction, €5 million (US$5.7 million) to scientific equipment and €4.5 million (US$5.1 million) to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) rated to work at depths of 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). The project is funded under Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Construction began in 2023, and Armón launched the vessel in Vigo in December 2024. Bureau Veritas (BV) recorded a build date of April 29, 2026.

The ship subsequently underwent trials near Vigo before making the passage to her port of registry at Horta.

Designed for extended-endurance offshore operation

The steel-hulled vessel has an LOA of 45.95 metres (150.8 feet), with 42.57 metres (139.7 feet) between perpendiculars. Bureau Veritas recorded a depth of 9.6 metres (31 feet) and estimated gross tonnage of 805; the beam is 10.5 metres (34.4 feet) and the draught is 4.8 metres (16 feet).

Azores Ocean holds special service research vessel class for unrestricted navigation, although its intended operating profile excludes ice zones.

The vessel has a speed of 12 knots and a fuel capacity of 139.6 cubic metres (30,710 gallons). The Azores project brochure gave an endurance of up to 15 days and an operational range of 4,000 miles (6,000 kilometres).

Space is available for 12 crewmembers and 10 scientists, though the cabins can house a maximum of 30 personnel. A classroom is provided alongside dry and wet laboratories and a data centre.

The regional government intends to use the vessel in prospecting for organisms with biotechnological potential and supporting offshore renewable energy development. The vessel is also intended for maritime training, while other project documentation identified submarine cable work, aquaculture support, diving and maritime archaeology among its possible assignments.

Full survey equipment suite

The vessel’s survey equipment consists of a full Kongsberg package. The principal deepwater mapping instrument is an EM304 multibeam echosounder, which can be used in depths of between 7,000 and 10,000 metres (23,000 and 33,000 feet). An EM2040 MKII echosounder covers depths from 10 to 500 metres (30 to 1,600 feet), giving the vessel a separate system for shallower surveys.

The project’s stated high-resolution bathymetric capability extends to at least 5,000 metres (16,000 feet).

A TOPAS PS18 sub-bottom profiler adds the ability to examine the geological structure beneath the seabed surface. Kongsberg’s HIPAP 502 system provides acoustic positioning for subsea equipment, while Seapath 380/R3 attitude sensors supply motion data for survey work.

The K-SYNC system synchronises instrument measurements, and Kongsberg Geomatics software provides for information management across the scientific suite.

For fisheries and water column work, the vessel carries an EK80 scientific sonar specified at 18, 38, 70, 120, 200 and 333 kHz. Wideband acoustic transceivers are listed at 38, 70, 200 and 333 kHz. An SU90 sonar is also fitted, along with a 150kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler for measuring currents. Kongsberg PX/TV80 and FX80 systems provide trawl net monitoring.

A FerryBox automatic water sampler and Vaisala meteorological station complement the acoustic equipment with water and weather observations. The project brochure also envisages missions involving ROVs and autonomous underwater vehicles, alongside deployment and recovery of other equipment. Trawling capability allows fisheries biology surveys to be conducted from the same platform.

The project’s research plan called for observation of seafloor habitats to 3,000 metres and selective collection of geological samples. It also identifies mesopelagic waters at 200 to 1,000 metres (660 to 3,000 feet) and bathypelagic waters at 1,000 to 3,000 metres as research areas. The ROV is intended to support work at the lower end of that depth range.

Azores Ocean uses diesel-electric propulsion supplied by Ingeteam Indar Machines. Bureau Veritas listed 1,600 kW of electrical propulsion power driving a single screw, with the propeller specified at 195 rpm. The generating plant comprises three Guascor Energy SF360TA-SG 800kWe diesel generators and a 108kWe emergency generator.

Guascor said an integrated selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment system enables the engines to meet IMO Tier III requirements. Each engine rests on a double bedplate, with twin elastic supports intended to limit noise and vibration reaching the hull. The supplier said the arrangement meets ICES 209 underwater acoustic standards.

Able to accommodate additional laboratory space

BV listed COMF-NOISE 2 and COMF-VIB 2 notations for onboard noise and vibration, alongside DYNAPOS SAM for dynamic positioning. The vessel’s other notations include AUT-UMS, MON-SHAFT, CLEANSHIP, GREEN PASSPORT EU and INWATERSURVEY.

Laboratory supplier KleanLabs developed a sampling laboratory inside a converted 20-foot marine container. Its walls and ceiling are lined with AISI 316L stainless steel. An inverter-based HVAC system controls temperature and humidity, while spray-resistant marine doors protect the unit when installed on deck.

The container has stabilised electrical power for sensitive equipment and connections to the vessel’s data and telecommunications systems. Its utility connections include seawater, hot and cold freshwater, and wastewater drainage. KleanLabs used recycled polyisocyanurate insulation boards in the conversion.

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere has set a planning target of more than 200 operational days a year for Azores Ocean. From Horta, the vessel is also expected to support University of the Azores researchers and monitoring of the archipelago’s marine protected areas.