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Exail R7 ROV in action with Jan De Nul
June 24, 2025
Jan De Nul, a global leader in dredging, offshore energy, and construction, recently added Exail’s R7 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to its fleet. The R7 ROV supports Jan De Nul’s marine engineering projects and environmental monitoring activities.
Why Jan De Nul chose the Exail R7 ROV
For Jan De Nul, the decision to invest in Exail’s R7 ROV was driven by the need to optimize inspection processes while prioritizing safety and adaptability. Traditionally, underwater inspection activities—ranging from vessel hull checks to geotextile inspections— may rely on divers. However, divers face inherent risks, including limited operational time, environmental hazards, and exposure constraints.
The
R7 ROV eliminates these challenges. Its compact, portable design offers exceptional maneuverability, while its advanced sensor suite and dual-camera system provide high-definition visibility in even the most complex underwater environments. With a 300-meter maximum operating depth, the R7 is ideal for Jan De Nul’s diverse project portfolio, ensuring reliable results without exposing personnel to unnecessary risk.
Key features meeting Jan De Nul’s needs
- Safety firstNo more divers in hazardous situations. The R7 ROV ensures situational awareness and rapid emergency recovery without risking human lives.
- Smarter operationsEquipped with a tilt and zoom high-resolution camera and low-light Orphie camera, and imaging sonar, the R7 enables accurate inspections and enhanced environmental monitoring. They provide real-time detailed visual feed to operators/experts, enabling safer and faster decision-making.
- Adaptive designIts compact size and ease of deployment mean Jan De Nul can quickly adapt the R7 to various missions, from routine vessel checks to detailed biodiversity assessments.
Jan De Nul team transporting R7 in the trunk of one single SUV and trailer for the generator. The full setup and dive preparations can be completed in 30 minutes with just two people .
Vessel Inspections
One of the primary applications for the R7 within Jan De Nul’s fleet is vessel inspection. Their large fleet of dredgers, offshore installation vessels, and support vessels requires constant maintenance checks to ensure operational readiness.
Using the R7 ROV, Jan De Nul performs detailed inspections of key components such as:
- Propellers and rudders
- Hull integrity
- Key wall conditions
By deploying the R7, inspections that previously required diver teams can now be performed more swiftly and safely. The imaging sonar provides precise visuals, while the dual-camera system captures high-resolution footage, aiding in real-time decision-making.
Geotextile Inspection
The R7 was deployed during an artificial Island construction project in Dubai. Jan De Nul inspected installation of geotextile on the seabed and check the precise alignment of rock blocks that stabilize the sandy soil — crucial tasks for ensuring the island’s long-term stability.
As the R7 is designed for shallow water operations, the R7 offered high maneuverability thanks to its seven thrusters enabling careful inspection of the structure. Its built-in stabilization made it easy to control, allowing deployment directly from a barge without the need for an auxiliary diving vessel. This ensured safer operations, longer working hours, and improved efficiency.
"The Exail R7 allows us to do safer and more efficient underwater inspections, replacing the need for divers. Together with Exail we look forward to further exploring the new innovations for these smaller ROVs. Nils Lowie – Senior Survey Engineer"
Video and photos credits : Jan de Nul
When can ROVs like the Exail R7 replace divers?
Remotely Operated Vehicles such as the Exail R7, offer a safe and efficient alternative to divers in many underwater operations. They can be deployed in challenging or hazardous environments where human intervention is limited or risky.
- Underwater inspectionAssessing the condition of maritime structures such as docks, jetties, pipelines, and offshore installations.
- Underwater Repairs (Assistance & Monitoring)Welding and maintenance operations of damaged maritimes structures
- Cable, pipeline, and geotextile installationDeploying, inspecting, or retrieving underwater cables, pipelines, and geotextile materials
- Dredging monitoringControlling dredging depth, detecting underwater obstacles, and ensuring precision in excavation operations
- Marine mapping & surveyCollecting geophysical and visual data to support dredging projects, seabed analysis, and environmental monitoring
- Wreck & debris Removal AssistanceRemoving of underwater wrecks or obstacles that may interfere with marine operations
