In 1993, Unique Group started its operations by providing survey equipment for the Middle East oil and gas market. Over time, the company has become a one-stop-shop solution provider, engineering integrated solutions for the wider energy, subsea and offshore markets. What started in a small garage in the United Arab Emirates has developed into a global powerhouse, employing more than 650 professionals spread across 18 locations worldwide. Unique Group supports clients wherever their projects take them, ensuring seamless delivery of products and services around the world.
Unique Group has six core divisions: USVs, Survey Equipment, Buoyancy and Water Weights (for load testing), Diving and Life Support, Lifting and Mooring, and Bespoke Engineering Solutions. The company offers a comprehensive range of solutions by partnering with leading industry manufacturers, such as Kongsberg, Sonardyne, Saab, Nortek, R2Sonic and many more, to provide state-of-the-art survey products. Additionally, Unique Group has ventured into manufacturing its own flagship products, reflecting its dedication to delivering bespoke, high-quality solutions tailored to clients’ needs.
Pioneering R&D Enables Wide-Ranging Maritime Tech Solutions
Unique Group’s survey technologies are designed to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use for oceanographers, hydrographers, and surveyors. Unique Group’s R&D team, comprising more than 200 engineering specialists, has pioneered transformative products, such as Aquila Subsea, the industry’s first AI-powered chat solution, developed to reduce downtime due to delays in technical troubleshooting and enhance operational efficiency in marine surveys.
The Uni-Count system is another example. It provides reliable and accurate cable measurements for oceanographers, hydrographers, and surveyors working with side-scan tow fish, magnetometers, ROVs, and other equipment.
The Uni-Mesh telemetry system, a complementary product to autonomous survey vessels and other subsea operations, supports long-range mesh radio operations, offering a radio range of up to 12 km. This solution enables seamless data exchange in fluid, self-forming, self-healing mesh networks, simplifying frequency management and increasing data reliability.
The electric Uni-Winch CEW500 boasts a compact design that saves deck space, making it ideal for smaller survey vessels. It is capable of handling a wide range of oceanographic equipment, including towed side scan and magnetometer systems, sub-bottom profilers, and water samplers. Its precision variable-frequency drive system ensures smooth and controlled cable handling, and its rugged construction ensures reliability in extreme offshore conditions.
The Uni-PPS/NMEA Distribution Box ensures seamless time synchronization across multiple systems, including acoustic and logging devices, significantly improving data accuracy in hydrographic surveys. This versatility supports a range of applications, making it an indispensable tool in the marine surveying toolkit.
The Uni-FlowX Controlled Mass Flow Excavation system significantly enhances seabed excavation. By eliminating physical contact with the seabed, Uni-Flow X reduces risk, improves efficiency, and delivers unparalleled performance. This system recently played a crucial role in completing two complex cable trenching projects in Malaysia, overcoming challenging weather and seabed conditions.
USV Fleet
The in-house innovation at Unique Group is clearly showcased in the Uni-USV fleet. These unmanned surface vessels were designed to meet the growing demand for efficient, cost-effective, shallow-water survey and monitoring solutions. Combining flexibility, performance and cutting-edge design, the Uni-USV fleet offers a range of vessels tailored for different operational needs.
The fleet offers three distinct models: the Uni-Mini, Uni-Pact and Uni-Max. The Uni-Mini, weighing just 65 kg and constructed from durable carbon fiber, is lightweight, portable, and fully electric, making it an ideal solution for confined and shallow-water environments. The Uni-Pact, which is compact, versatile, and fast, offers exceptional stability and maneuverability for missions requiring rapid deployment. The Uni-Max is a hybrid vessel designed for more demanding missions, built for endurance with two powerful Torqeedo Cruise engines, providing extended range and payload capacity for large-scale operations
Each model offers customizable payload options that can accommodate various sensors and equipment. These features enable clients to tailor each vessel to specific project requirements, ensuring the fleet remains adaptable for a wide range of marine and subsea applications, such as seabed mapping, environmental monitoring, and coastal surveys.
Coastal Survey with Uni-Pact USV
In a recent project, a client required high-resolution topographic and bathymetric data to assess coastal erosion and guide the construction of breakwaters in Singapore. This challenging mission had to balance precision with minimal environmental disruption, while navigating complex tidal conditions and maritime restrictions.
Unique Group deployed the Uni-Pact USV, outfitted with LiDAR sensors and multibeam echosounders. The vessel’s autonomous navigation capabilities allowed for efficient data collection across the survey grid, while real-time telemetry enabled immediate adjustments. Despite logistical constraints, the Uni-Pact completed the survey within the client’s strict timeline. The resulting data were processed into 3D models, providing actionable insights into erosion patterns and aiding in strategic decision making.
The project demonstrated the efficiency and precision of the Uni-Pact. Its electric engines minimized noise and environmental disruption, aligning with the client’s sustainability goals. Read more about the project.
Uni-Pact USV Bathymetry Survey
Unique Group has also successfully conducted a recent bathymetry survey using the Uni-Pact USV to provide MMA Offshore with precise depth data around Fremantle Sailing Club’s wharfs, berths, and jetties, as well as for the entry to Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour in Australia.
Despite challenges such as strong winds and heavy maritime traffic, the project was efficiently completed through meticulous planning and advanced technology. Equipped with NORBIT iWBMS sonar and Valeport SWiFT SVP (sound velocity profiler) systems, the Uni-Pact collected accurate data while being remotely operated from multiple locations.
The environmentally friendly, electric-powered USV demonstrated its versatility, autonomy, and ease of deployment, supported by expert technical guidance and a hot-swap battery system that minimized downtime. The client praised the efficient delivery and high-quality data, which will inform safe navigation and operational planning. Read the full case study here.
Environmental Monitoring
In Oman, Unique Group has provided a solar-powered oil spill detection radar system for a coastal client. This system, which includes advanced sensors, solar panels, and online alerting capabilities, was designed to detect oil spills early, minimizing environmental damage and associated costs.
Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, Unique Group deployed a buoy-based oceanographic and meteorological system to monitor water quality, currents, and wave parameters, contributing to the country’s marine conservation efforts.
Looking Ahead
As the marine and subsea industries continue to evolve, Unique Group remains committed to advancing its technological capabilities with the needs of clients in mind. Future developments will focus on incorporating AI into data analysis and operational workflows, enhancing the precision and efficiency of its product offerings. The Uni-USV fleet is also set to undergo significant upgrades, including increased payload capacities, extended mission durations, and enhanced autonomy, enabling these vessels to tackle even more complex and large-scale operations. By integrating AI, enhancing vessel autonomy, and focusing on sustainable solutions, Unique Group is poised to continue as an industry leader.
This article has been featured in the Sea Technology Magazine.
By Jiju Vijayakumar
