Squarehead Technology wins Blue Maritime Innovation Award 2026
Ålesund, Norway – September 17, 2026– Squarehead Technology has been named the winner of the Blue Maritime Innovation Award 2026, recognizing the company’s work in bringing advanced acoustic technology into the maritime sector.
The award was presented at Maritime Klyngekonferansen in Ålesund on September 17. Squarehead was selected among three finalists for its acoustic monitoring technology, which combines directional microphone arrays with intelligent sound analysis to detect acoustic anomalies in machinery and engine rooms.
Originally developed from Squarehead’s extensive expertise in advanced acoustic systems for demanding applications, the technology enables vessels to continuously listen to machinery and identify changes in sound that may indicate developing faults. This creates a new source of operational data that can support predictive maintenance, improve situational awareness and contribute to safer and more reliable vessel operations.
“We are very proud to receive this award. It is an important recognition of the work we have done to bring our acoustic expertise into the maritime sector, together with forward-looking partners who see the potential of sound as a source of operational insight,” says Peter Brønlund, General Manager and Business Development Director – Industry at Squarehead Technology.
The jury highlighted Squarehead as an example of how companies, technologies and expertise from different industries can come together to drive maritime innovation. It also pointed to the role acoustic monitoring can play in future remote and autonomous vessel operations, where systems increasingly need to detect conditions that have traditionally relied on the trained ears of crew members.
Squarehead’s solution was tested on Fjord1’s MF Skopphorn in 2025 and is being deployed on four new zero-emission ferries operating the Lavik–Oppedal route. The technology is also being tested with Reach Subsea onboard an unmanned Reach Remote vessel for condition monitoring and anomaly detection.
Squarehead joined the GCE Blue Maritime Cluster in early 2026 as part of the company’s growing focus on the maritime sector. The cluster brings together more than 200 companies and partners across the maritime value chain, with a focus on collaboration, competence development and innovation.
“We would like to thank GCE Blue Maritime Cluster and the jury for this recognition, and especially our partners and the Squarehead Industrial team who have helped bring the technology from an idea to real-world maritime operations,” says Brønlund.
