Inkfish Ordered Massive Deep-Sea Research Vessel
The 162-metre ship will support operations at depths of up to 11,000 metres for 130 crew and researchers.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Robotics
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Inkfish has commissioned VARD to construct the RV11000, an 816 million dollar research vessel designed for advanced seafloor mapping and sampling. The ship is capable of supporting missions at record-breaking ocean depths.
Why it matters
The vessel is engineered to expand humanity's reach into the deepest parts of the ocean, enabling unprecedented mapping and coring operations. Its specialized autonomous system allows for sub-surface vehicle deployment, enhancing efficiency for scientific missions.
The RV11000 measures 162 metres by 28 metres and supports 130 personnel, with a battery system enabling 12 hours of silent operation. Kongsberg Maritime will supply an autonomous underwater vehicle hangar and launch system for the ship.
The players
Inkfish
Inkfish is a maritime research entity focused on developing advanced seafloor exploration capabilities.
VARD
VARD is a global shipbuilder that specializes in the design and construction of complex research and offshore vessels.
Kongsberg Maritime
Kongsberg Maritime is a technology corporation providing advanced maritime systems for navigation, subsea operations, and automation.
The details
Hull construction will occur in Tulcea, Romania, before the ship undergoes final outfitting and commissioning in Norway. The vessel's design allows for underwater vehicle docking beneath the sea surface, a critical component for deep-sea mapping and sampling tasks.
Timeline
Inkfish signed a contract for the RV6000 vessel in 2025.
Kongsberg Maritime announced the contract for the underwater system in September 2026.
Equipment delivery from Kongsberg is planned for the end of 2027.
The delivery of the RV11000 is scheduled for the first quarter of 2030.
The Tech Race
The RV11000 represents a significant scaling up of deep-sea exploration capacity compared to the RV6000 research vessel currently under construction. This project positions the firm to lead in the development of specialized hardware for extreme underwater environments.
The vessel's advanced seafloor mapping capabilities will likely increase the availability of high-resolution ocean data for researchers and climate scientists. The development of silent battery-operated systems may also set new standards for low-impact environmental research technologies.
The takeaway
The commissioning of this vessel signals a new era of investment in infrastructure designed for the deepest reaches of the planet. These technological leaps are essential for scientists who need to gather data from the most inaccessible regions of the seafloor.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Robotics for maritime and research applications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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