Fugro to support climate change research in the Caribbean

The coastal mapping project will be conducted in Jamaica and Haiti to support The Investment Plan for the Caribbean Regional Track of the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience. The work, which comprises approximately 2,000 square kilometres of integrated shallow water and land-based elevation data, was awarded to Fugro by the University of West Indies Mona with financing from the Inter-American Development Bank. Fugro will accomplish the project using its Rapid Airborne Multibeam Mapping System (RAMMS).

“We are honoured to be supporting the goals of the University, the IADB and the people of Jamaica and Haiti for this important program” said Ed Saade, Fugro Group Director for the Americas. “We have successfully been operating the RAMMS system throughout the Caribbean on other programs over the past ten months. Applying this technologically advanced sensor directly supports the spirit and the goals of sustainability and climate resilience for our clients.”

Introduced in August 2018, RAMMS delivers industry-leading depth penetration and point densities for nearshore and coastal mapping. It is also highly efficient. Weighing just 14 kg the compact sensor is deployed on small aircraft with limited support crew requirements. For the Jamaica project, Fugro estimates using RAMMS in place of larger conventional mapping systems will reduce CO2 emissions by 5.1 metric tons, with an overall estimated 80.5% reduction in carbon footprint as compared to a recent deployment in the same region, just 24 months ago.

“As a company, we’ve made it a priority to conduct business in an ethical and sustainable manner. RAMMS is a prime example of our commitment to this vision,” Saade said. “Not only are we delivering critical data with greater time and cost effeciency, we are doing it in the most environmentally sound way possible.”

Fugro is operating the system in Jamaica now. Once finalised, data will be used to assess coastal vulnerability and conduct climate analysis related to sea-level rise, storm surges and flooding in the Caribbean.

Pictured above: RAMMS collected imagery and bathymetry data of a coastal environment

About Fugro: Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it. Adopting an integrated approach that incorporates acquisition and analysis of Geo-data and related advice, Fugro provides solutions. With expertise in site characterisation and asset integrity, clients are supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design, construction and operation of their assets throughout the full lifecycle.

Employing approximately 10,000 talented people in 65 countries, Fugro serves clients around the globe, predominantly in the energy and infrastructure industries, both offshore and onshore. In 2018, revenue amounted to EURâ¯1.7â¯billion. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.