Reach Subsea just rewrote the rulebook for uncrewed operations. The Norwegian subsea services firm has secured a trading permit from the Norwegian Maritime Authorities to operate its Reach Remote 1 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) entirely without a support vessel—marking a first for an USV of its size with integrated Work Class ROV capability. This isn’t just a regulatory green light; it’s a vote of confidence in the future of remote-controlled subsea services.
The permit, backed by DNV’s technical validation, is the final hurdle before full certification. Reach Remote 1 has already been in full commercial operation, and this approval signals a shift in how the industry views autonomy. No longer is an uncrewed vessel seen as a risky experiment—it’s now a viable, certified alternative to traditional manned operations.
This milestone didn’t happen in a vacuum. Reach Subsea’s CEO, Jostein Alendal, emphasised the collaborative effort behind the achievement: “The Reach Remote program is central to our strategy to transform subsea operations through ocean robotics. This milestone reflects the extraordinary collaboration across our teams and with the Norwegian Maritime Authorities.” The company’s COO, Inge Grutle, added, “Since start of operations in April a support vessel has enabled human eyes to observe while demonstrating remotely controlled unmanned operations. Our people have proved that Reach Remote has equivalent or better maritime safety level and situational awareness compared to manned vessels, which is validated by DNV and NMA through this trading permit.”
The implications are huge. Reach Remote 1 is the first in a new class of USVs designed to perform offshore tasks with significantly lower emissions and reduced need for personnel. The vessel’s ability to operate independently means fewer support vessels, lower fuel consumption, and a smaller carbon footprint. It’s a clear win for sustainability—and a challenge to the status quo.
But this isn’t just about one vessel. Reach Subsea is already preparing Reach Remote 2 for deployment in Australia, with Reach Remote 3 and 4 under construction. The company is scaling up, and the industry is watching. If these vessels prove as successful as Reach Remote 1, we could see a rapid acceleration in the adoption of uncrewed technology across the offshore sector.
The question now is: How will this shift play out? Will other operators follow suit, or will they wait for more data? Will regulators in other regions move to catch up with Norway’s progressive stance? And perhaps most importantly, how will this reshape the workforce in subsea operations?
One thing’s clear: Reach Subsea has set a precedent. The future of offshore operations just got a little more autonomous—and a lot more interesting.