TECHNOLOGY

Allseas ship to be converted to ABS class subsea mining vessel

Hidden Gem, is being converted to an American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class subsea mining vessel

 Drillship to be converted to ABS-class subsea mining vessel

Drillship to be converted to ABS-class subsea mining vessel

A former drillship belonging to Switzerland-headquartered offshore pipelay and subsea construction company Allseas, the 228m Hidden Gem, is being converted to an American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class subsea mining vessel in what Allseas called an "industry first".

The Hidden Gem, which was previously named Vitoria 10000, is being equipped with a deep-sea mineral collection system to recover polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor and transfer them to the surface for transportation to shore. The nodules contain high grades of key metals such as nickel, manganese, copper and cobalt - all metals that are required for building electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy technologies. 

Allseas is developing the project in partnership with The Metals Company, formerly DeepGreen Metals. The project is being entirely designed to Allseas' unique specifications, which include a wholly self-designed subsea vertical transport system, a subsea collection vehicle, as well as a surface nodule handling and storage system. The vessel will be the first to be classed by ABS as a subsea mining vessel.

Matt Tremblay, vice president, global offshore at ABS, said: "This is a groundbreaking project that is advancing the frontiers of this emerging industry, which has such a vital role to play in supporting how the global market sources and manufactures sustainable technologies. The seabed is among the richest known sources for these vital metals, and we are proud to be able to support this approach to safely recovering them."

The ABS Guide for Subsea Mining, which was published in October 2020, is the only international standard addressing design, construction and operations of subsea mineral collection equipment.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production