For non-destructive testing
Ned Marine, a Dutch non-destructive testing specialist, is expanding its inspection capabilities with the introduction of NDT drone services. Operating drones and ROVs, the service enables faster, safer, and more efficient inspections of vessels, offshore installations, and industrial assets, above and below water, and including confined spaces
Drone-based inspection enables Ned Marine to conduct visual inspections and thickness measurements (UTM) in areas difficult to access by conventional methods, such as scaffolding, rope access, or diving.
Typical applications include:
- Confined spaces on board vessels
- Offshore and onshore wind turbines
- Tank storage facilities
- Industrial structures and installations
By eliminating the need for extensive access equipment and reducing human exposure to hazardous environments, these inspections can be completed more quickly, often within hours rather than days. This reduces operational downtime, which is especially relevant for seagoing container vessels and tankers.
Inspection times can be reduced by up to 4 times, while overall costs can be lower than with traditional methods.
Ned Marina also offers subsea non-destructive testing inspections using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), capable of operating at water depths of up to 300m.
The technology serves as a practical and cost-efficient alternative to traditional diving operations. The ROVs provide high-definition live video streams and detailed inspection data, supporting:
- Hull inspections
- Cathodic protection assessments
- Structural condition monitoring
- Pre-docking surveys
Leo Zwagemaker, commercial manager at Ned Marine, said, “We are very proud to launch this new service. By integrating aerial drone and ROV technology into our NDT services, we can allow our clients to further reduce downtime and make better-informed maintenance decisions. The fact that our inspectors can now also work remotely, with real-time data accessible worldwide, also adds value: this method improves decision-making and facilitates a more seamless collaboration between vessel operators, surveyors and technical teams.”
The new drone and ROV services are integrated into Ned Marine’s existing NDT offering, which includes Visual Testing, Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements, and detailed inspection reporting. By combining visual data, measurement results, and digital analysis, clients can gain a comprehensive overview of asset condition to support better maintenance planning and reduce the risk of unexpected failures.
