Friday 27 April 2018

Maersk Launcher left San Diego port for its first deep sea mineral offshore study. The departure marks an important milestone for Maersk Supply Service's work with deep sea metal company, DeepGreen.

Maersk Supply Service began working with DeepGreen Metals (DeepGreen) in 2017, to bring marine knowledge to the development of a method for harvesting small metallic rocks - or polymetallic nodules - in a sustainable way. The nodules contain metals such as copper, cobalt, manganese and nickel, which are valuable materials for electronics, as well as batteries used for renewable technologies.

The offshore work targets the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean at a water depth of 4,500m. A total of five voyages are planned for 2018 and 2019. The first four are centered around environmental studies and documentation of the seabed. The overall aim of the offshore work is to better understand the quality and quantity of nodules present and how best to extract them in a sustainable way. The studies are part of a precautionary approach where DeepGreen engages with world leading scientists with an open mind and full transparency.

The offshore work will occur under the regulation of the United Nations' International Seabed Authority (ISA), which will ensure the world's best practices and demand minimal environmental impact. Maersk Supply Service has committed to supporting five marine voyages. The contribution includes two vessels, as well as project services. Maersk Supply Service's contribution of approximately USD 25 million will be converted to DeepGreen shares.

DeepGreen Metal's subsidiary, Nauru Ocean Research Inc. (NORI), will carry out scientific and resource surveys within a 75,000 - square kilometer contract area, granted to NORI by the United Nations' International Seabed Authority (ISA).