An innovative deep-sea monitoring solution

Marine Tech

Founded in 2014 and based in Six-Fours-les-Plages, this engineering company specializes in the exploration and protection of the marine environment. It has around ten employees and markets innovative solutions including an offshore oil spill recovery system (NOTIL surface trawl), a device for capturing freshwater sources from the seabed, and a set of marine drones for ocean mapping. On January 16, Philippe Mahé, préfet du Var, and Jean-Sébastien Vialatte, mayor of Six-Fours les-Plages, met with the directors of the Var-based company.

MANTAX PROJECT

The MANTAX project, led by Marine Tech and its partners (Hologarde, SHIP AS A SERVICE, and i2S), was selected as part of the CORIMER 2023 call for projects under the France 2030 programme. "It aims to develop an innovative solution for mapping and monitoring coastal areas and the deep sea, using the UHV MANTA underwater drone, operated by algorithms integrating decision-making autonomy. New generation cameras and an underwater docking station allowing data transfer and rapid recharging help increase mission autonomy. The system will be completed by a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to provide intervention capability, essential for complex operations," explains Thierry Carlin, CEO of Marine Tech. He adds: "It is an ambitious programme, but one that already benefits from a set of existing technological building blocks. It will have a budget of over €5M for 36 months of development. The first model of the Manta drone won an award (special prize from GICAN) at the Euronaval 2024 show. Very strong expectations have been expressed by maritime professionals around the world." Sea trials will begin in the first half of 2025 off the coast of Toulon. Ultimately, this project will create 12 jobs among the partners, with production of the systems in the Var. The CEO continues: "In addition, an underwater docking station is being developed to allow the MANTA drone to be safely deployed in rough seas. Equipped with innovative cameras featuring image processing algorithms, the UHV MANTA will have enhanced vision for its exploration missions in depths of up to 6,000m. These developments are possible thanks to a strategic alliance with a major group, ADP through its subsidiary Hologarde (specialist in drone management), as well as two other companies expert in underwater intervention and vision, namely SAAS-Comex and I2s." "This project, which has received labeling and financial support from France 2030, materializes our desire to meet tomorrow's challenges, namely the security and monitoring of sensitive maritime installations (offshore wind, submarine cables, oil sites, etc.) in France and around the world," concludes Thierry Carlin.

THE MARITIME INDUSTRIES RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ADVISORY BOARD:

Since 2018, CORIMER has played a key role as an interface between the State and the maritime sector, driving innovation and steering projects towards support mechanisms, notably France 2030. This call for expression of interest (AMI) aims to support R&D projects led by companies in the maritime sector, regardless of their size, either alone or in a consortium. The goal is to accelerate the commercialization of innovative and sustainable technologies, services, or solutions, covering phases from industrial R&D to real-world demonstration.