Sonardyne Wins Project Upgrade Work in Taiwan

Sonardyne has secured a significant project upgrade with PDE Offshore Corporation, a prominent Taiwanese offshore geophysical and geotechnical investigation company. PDE Offshore has chosen to enhance its underwater acoustic positioning system onboard MV Geo Energy by upgrading to Sonardyne's Ranger 2 USBL system, reinforcing their capabilities in the exploration of offshore renewable energy (ORE) in Taiwan.

The geotechnical vessel Geo Power, also equipped with the Ranger 2 USBL system, is currently undergoing conversion work and is set to join the fleet in mid-2024. This addition will enable PDE Offshore to provide seabed and downhole cone penetration testing services, further contributing to Taiwan's shift from coal-based energy to cleaner, sustainable alternatives, particularly offshore wind farms.

PDE Offshore has been actively involved in geotechnical and soil investigations in the shallow waters of the Taiwanese Strait since 2017. Their collaboration with leading ORE developers led to the decision to upgrade their system, necessitating a trusted and proven USBL positioning system for their Geotechnical vessel to operate in deeper waters and challenging conditions as their operations expand.

Having previously successfully utilised Sonardyne's Mini Ranger 2, the decision to invest in the full Ranger 2 system was logical. The Ranger 2 system, drawing on over 30 years of USBL knowledge, offers versatile capabilities for tracking subsea assets, positioning or communicating with underwater vehicles, and dynamically positioning vessels. Its adaptability makes it suitable for various scenarios, supporting both the survey and construction phases of ORE.

Dan Tan, Regional Sales Manager for Sonardyne in Singapore, says, "Taiwan's ambitions of becoming a green island means it is fast becoming a leading player offshore wind in the Asia Pacific. We're pleased to be a part of this energy transition through PDE Offshore's continued confidence and investment in our products. We look forward to supporting them in their future operations."