MØRE OCEAN LAB
The Møre Ocean Lab project is a visionary initiative aimed at establishing a full-scale test laboratory for marine and maritime research and industry outside Ålesund. This groundbreaking endeavor, led by NTNU Ålesund and in collaboration with esteemed partners such as SINTEF, Runde Environmental Centre, and GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, seeks to advance interdisciplinary collaboration across the marine and maritime sectors. The project has already launched several significant initiatives, including the "Digital Ocean Space" project, which received substantial funding from the Research Council of Norway to support the development of essential infrastructure.
A key component of this infrastructure includes a larger workboat designed for future autonomous operations and a sophisticated land-based control center being developed at NTNU in Ålesund. The project also incorporates the deployment of measuring buoys and sensors in the surrounding ocean areas to enhance research capabilities. Additional projects under the Møre Ocean Lab umbrella involve sensor-equipped fish farms, marine monitoring efforts, and the transition of scaled experiments to full-scale trials, alongside designating the lab as a test area for autonomous ships.
The Møre Ocean Lab stands out due to its unique geographical location, offering a rich biodiversity and a variety of marine ecosystems within a small area, from deep fjords to exposed coastlines. This diversity, coupled with the area's significant plastic pollution issue, makes the lab an ideal platform for developing sustainable, green technology aimed at preserving and restoring this unique ecosystem.
Beyond research, Møre Ocean Lab's strategic position within one of the world's most complete and advanced ocean-oriented business clusters amplifies its potential as a hub for maritime innovation. The project's focus on digitization and the implementation of new technologies promises to accelerate innovation within the industry, making Møre Ocean Lab a catalyst for future growth and development in the maritime sector.