Squarehead Signs Contract with Fjord1 for AI-Driven Acoustic Asset Management on Four New Autonomous Ferries
Oslo, October 28, 2025 - Squarehead has signed a contract with Fjord1 to deliver advanced AI-driven acoustic anomaly detection systems for four new ferries that will operate on the E39 Lavik–Oppedal route starting in September 2026. The vessels are part of Fjord1’s program to develop the world’s first fully autonomous ferry connection.
As part of the project, Fjord1 is establishing a land-based control center to oversee ferry operations. By monitoring operations from shore, vessels can reduce their reliance on manual detection of sound events in engine rooms, which are often early indicators of technical issues. To support improved situational awareness from a land-based control center, Fjord1 and Squarehead are working to implement the use of AI-driven acoustic monitoring technology in engine and pump rooms.
“Autonomous vessels are a prime example of why the technology we deliver is needed. As the world gets more autonomous, we need to digitalize the senses we have always relied heavily on. This contract clearly shows how acoustic situational awareness is increasingly in demand for enabling smarter, safer, and more efficient operations,” says Stig Nyvold, CEO of Squarehead.
Each of the four ferries’ pump- and engine rooms will be equipped with Squarehead’s G2+ microphone arrays, which continuously record and analyze sound patterns in real time to identify deviations from normal operation, and pin-point where those deviations are originating from. This enables early detection of irregularities before they lead to downtime or technical failures, improving safety, efficiency, and operational predictability.
“What we are doing here is not limited to autonomous vessels. The same technology can be applied broadly across the maritime industry, helping ship operators of all kinds gain better insight into technical conditions and safety through sound-based monitoring,” Nyvold adds.
The contract represents an important milestone for Squarehead’s growing Asset Management business in the maritime sector.
