Greenroom Robotics and EGS Survey have signed a fleet-wide partnership agreement that will see all future Fremantle-class uncrewed surface vessels equipped with Greenroom’s GAMA maritime autonomy system, accelerating the transition toward cleaner, lower-impact hydrographic survey operations.
The agreement was announced during West Tech Fest, underscoring the growing role of Australian innovation in reducing emissions across the maritime sector. Uncrewed surface vessels consume only a fraction of the fuel used by traditional survey ships and can operate for extended periods with minimal environmental impact, supporting global demand for sustainable ocean mapping.
The partnership formalisation took place at EGS’ Remote Operations Centre in Fremantle, where Greenroom Robotics Chief Technology Officer Zac Pullen and EGS Survey Australia Chief Surveyor Charles Collins signed the agreement. It follows the success of USV Fremantle 01, which recently completed a HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program survey off Esperance. The 42-day mission demonstrated how advanced autonomy can deliver high-quality seabed mapping with significantly reduced emissions.
USV Fremantle 01 achieved a 94 per cent reduction in diesel use compared with a traditional vessel, consistent survey-line keeping, COLREGs-compliant manoeuvring and predictive control, and operating costs up to 75 per cent lower than standard crewed operations. With only about a quarter of the world’s ocean floor mapped to modern standards, efficient and low-impact survey capability is becoming increasingly important for marine conservation, offshore renewable energy planning, coastal development and safe navigation.
Collins said the partnership will support growing demand for high-quality, environmentally responsible hydrographic data. “Our goal with the Fremantle-class USVs is to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality survey outcomes for our clients. Greenroom’s GAMA system has been central to achieving that vision. This partnership ensures every future vessel benefits from a deeply integrated and continuously improving autonomy solution built here in Western Australia.”
Greenroom Robotics co-founder and COO Harry Hubbert said uncrewed systems represent one of the most practical pathways to decarbonising maritime survey operations. “Our mission at Greenroom is to help deliver safe, clean and protected oceans. Autonomous vessels are a practical way to reduce emissions, minimise marine disturbance and expand access to high-quality seabed data. Working with EGS allows us to scale that mission across an entire fleet built here in Western Australia.”
Western Australia’s Minister for Science and Innovation, Stephen Dawson, said the news reinforces the state’s leadership in autonomous and remotely operated technologies. He highlighted Greenroom Robotics’ recent recognition as WA Innovator of the Year and its contribution to building a globally competitive maritime technology ecosystem.
Under the agreement, Greenroom Robotics will provide GAMA licences, system integration and ongoing technical support for the Fremantle-class fleet. EGS Survey will adopt Greenroom Robotics as its preferred provider of autonomous control and navigation software for its growing uncrewed operations, supporting scalable, low-impact capability for national charting programs and commercial survey requirements.
