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) in the construction of the new research vessel. The total amount also covered the acquisition of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that will be embarked on the vessel and rated to work at depths of 3,000 metres (10,000 feet).
The vessel is classed by Bureau Veritas (BV).
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. BV recorded a depth of 9.6 metres (31 feet) and an 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 vessel can stay out at sea for up to 15 days or sail a maximum of 4,000 miles (6,000 kilometres) in between bunkerings.
Space is available for 12 crewmembers and 10 scientists, though the cabins can house a maximum of 30 personnel if needed. A classroom is provided alongside wet and dry laboratories and a data centre.
The regional government intends to use the vessel in gathering marine species with biotechnological potential and in supporting offshore renewable energy development. The vessel is also intended for maritime training, submarine cable maintenance 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 surveys in shallower waters.
The project’s stated high-resolution bathymetric capability extends to at least 5,000 metres (16,000 feet).
Also fitted are a TOPAS PS18 sub-bottom profiler, a HIPAP 502 system, and Seapath 380/R3 attitude sensors that supply motion data. The K-SYNC system synchronises instrument measurements while 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. 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’s research plan called for observation of seafloor habitats to 3,000 metres and selective collection of geological samples. It also identified 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. The propulsion has a total rated output of 1,600 kW and drives a single propeller. Three Guascor Energy SF360TA-SG 800kWe main diesel generators and a 108kWe emergency generator are also fitted.
An integrated selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment system enables the engines to satisfy IMO Tier III requirements. Each engine rests on a double bedplate, with twin elastic supports intended to limit noise and vibration reaching the hull, ensuring compliance with 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 stainless steel sampling laboratory inside a converted 20-foot marine container. The container has stabilised electrical power for sensitive equipment and connections to the vessel’s data and telecommunications systems.
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.
