Subsea News
The Hague Welcomes SeaSEC: A Cutting-Edge Subsea Infrastructure Security Research Center
In The Hague, the Netherlands, the Seabed Security Experimentation Center (SeaSEC) has officially opened its doors at Campusatsea in Scheveningen. This research center focuses on enhancing the security of submarine infrastructure in the North and Baltic Seas by conducting experiments, testing, and developing innovative techniques.
SeaSEC's primary objective is to pioneer new methodologies and empower governments to monitor subsea infrastructure in the North Sea and Baltic Sea up to a depth of 30 meters. This infrastructure includes pipelines for oil and gas, platforms supporting wind turbines, and underwater internet cables.
Collaborating with Denmark, Germany, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, the Netherlands aims to protect submarine infrastructure by leveraging data from military and civilian databases. Researchers plan to create a virtual representation of the seabed, where potential threats to submarine infrastructure can be immediately identified.
SeaSEC boasts a dedicated test area spanning 18 by 18 kilometers in the sea, allowing unmanned surveillance vehicles to conduct test rounds. DEMCON unmanned systems recently demonstrated the monitoring capabilities of one of its uncrewed surface vessels during the center's inaugural test campaign, enhancing situational awareness and understanding related to seabed security.
The establishment of SeaSEC aligns with the Northern Naval Capability Cooperation (NNCC) initiative. Future plans include opening SeaSEC branches in Sweden and Germany, further contributing to collaborative efforts in advancing subsea infrastructure security.