Dutch Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) specialists Ned Marine has introduced NDT drone services alongside its subsea ROVs. Operating both services enables faster, safer and more efficient inspections of vessels, offshore installations and industrial assets – both above and below water, and including confined spaces. With this move, Ned Marine strengthens its position as a full-service inspection provider, combining traditional NDT techniques with advanced remote inspection technologies. The new service is aimed at surveys for Dutch and wider European customers.
Drone-based inspections allow Ned Marine to carry out visual inspections and thickness measurements (UTM) in areas that are difficult to access using conventional methods such as scaffolding, rope access or diving operations. Typical applications include:
- Confined spaces on board vessels (such as ballast tanks and cargo holds)
- 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 ‘flying inspections’ can be completed significantly faster, often within hours instead of days. This minimises operational downtime, which is especially relevant for seagoing container vessels and tankers. Indeed, inspection times can be reduced by up to four times, while overall costs can be significantly lower compared to traditional methods.
In addition to its aerial services, Ned Marine now offers subsea Non-Destructive Testing inspections using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), capable of operating at water depths of up to 300 metres. 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
‘We are very proud to launch this new service,’ says Leo Zwagemaker, commercial manager at Ned Marine. ‘By integrating arial 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 fully integrated into Ned Marine’s existing NDT offering, which includes Visual Testing (VT), Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements (UTM) and detailed inspection reporting. By combining visual data, measurement results and digital analysis, clients gain a complete and reliable overview of asset condition, enabling better maintenance planning and reducing the risk of unexpected failures.
