France is taking a significant step to expand its presence in deep-ocean exploration, awarding a major development contract to French marine technology firm Alseamar. The move marks a new phase in the country’s ambition to strengthen its scientific and industrial leadership in the rapidly growing ocean tech sector.
Following a call for proposals under the “Deep Seabed” priority of the France 2030 investment plan, Ifremer has selected Alseamar to design and develop a new deep-sea underwater glider. The project aims to advance France’s capabilities in exploring and observing one of the least understood environments on Earth – an area that now sits at the centre of global climate, biodiversity and hazard-monitoring challenges.
The initiative is funded by the French National Research Agency