​THE LATEST NEWS
Exploration in the deep sea involves cutting-edge research, innovation and technological advancement. At the heart of this work is Ægir, a vital tool supporting a wide range of marine disciplines including geology, geophysics, biology, microbiology and oceanography. As a cornerstone of national research infrastructure, Ægir is used by numerous research institutions, government agencies and other organizations to deepen our understanding of the deep ocean and its rich ecosystems. From 2026, NORMAR will be adding a 6000m-rated Hugin AUV-system from Kongsberg Discovery. It will be equipped with synthetic aperture sonar and multibeam echo sounder systems for high-resolution seafloor imaging and micro-bathymetry together with a suit of geophysical and environmental sensors.
Grants for small projects
The cost of booking the ROV Ægir is a set price per day. This includes the costs of ROV personnel (3 per 12h shift). To ensure accessibility for smaller research projects with limited budgets, the NORMAR II project received funding from the National Research Council to help provide access to the infrastructure for the next five years. This money will be used to subsidise the cost of renting Ægir on certain cruises for those eligible. For more information on the grant and how to access it, contact the NORMAR team via email or use the form on the Book Ægir page of this website.
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Mareano cruise with Ægir 6000
Ægir6000 joined MAREANO’s first cruise to the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge in September-October 2025 aboard the RV Kronprins Haakon. MAREANO used Ægir6000 to record its standardized 800m long video transects, document observed bottom types, seabed features and fauna, collect biological, chemical, and geological samples from the seafloor, and ensure the drop gear like the gravity corer, box corer, and multicorer collected samples successfully. Even when the weather was bad and the drop gear was at a standstill, Ægir6000 was able to get work done! Ægir6000 completed 35 dives and 41 video transects during the cruise.
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MAREANO is a national seabed mapping programme carried out by The Institute of Marine Research, the Geological Survey of Norway, and the Norwegian Mapping Authority to map the bio- and geodiversity in the Norwegian Offshore Areas.
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Read more about MAREANO here: https://www.mareano.no/
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The cruise report can be accessed here: https://www.hi.no/hi/nettrapporter/toktrapport-en-2025-11
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Upgrades & industry collaboration
The NORMAR II research infrastructure grant awarded in September 2024 will lead to a general upgrade of lights, cameras, sensors and other equipment onboard Ægir 6000. The most innovative part of the upgrade involved turning the Tether Management System into a full scientific platform with thrusters, multibeam sensors and other specialized equipment. In addition, we will develop specially designed skid, drawers and sampling equipment for the ROV to enhance its performance during operations.
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NORMAR is collaborating with Kystdesign, the original builders of Ægir, to implement a permanent control room on the ice-breaker RV Kronprins Haakon. This will eliminate the need for the control room container that currently travels with Ægir when it is deployed on a cruise mission.
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Read more about upgrades over the years from the UiB archives.
Sulphide deposit discovered
During a cruise in March 2025, with the help of Ægir at 2800 metres below sea level, an inactive sulphide deposit was found. On board the ship were scientists from the University of Bergen as partners in the EMINENT project, together with the Norwegian Offshore Directorate. The deposit is on the Knipovich Ridge, west of Svalbard, and is named Gygra. Its location is close to the Jøtul Vent Field.
Expeditions were carried out in the area in December 2024 and March 2025 aboard the RV Kronprins Haakon and preliminary tests were carried out on the ship.
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Read more about this find from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.
NORMAR Database
Ægir has completed more than 1000 dives in locations mainly within the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, as well as other places of interest, to support the multi disciplinary scientific work from various institutions. The metadata from these dives, are accessible in an online database which you can access via the button below.​​
Contract signed for new AUV
In June 2025, the University of Bergen signed a contract with Kongsberg Discovery for a 6000m-rated Hugin AUV-system. The new AUV will be maintained and operated through NORMAR (Norwegian Marine Robotics Facility). It will be equipped with synthetic aperture sonar and multibeam echo sounder systems for high-resolution seafloor imaging and micro-bathymetry together with a suit of geophysical and environmental sensors. This is a major new piece of infrastructure and a leap forward for national research. The vehicle will be delivered in the spring of 2026 and will be tested on cruises later that year. It will be available for research cruises through the NORMAR facility in Bergen and can be booked via this website.
