Hidden Gem

Pioneering deep-sea mineral collection 

Developed entirely in-house, Hidden Gem is our solution for the responsible recovery of deep ocean mineral-rich polymetallic nodules – essential for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. 

At the heart of Hidden Gem’s innovation is a 12-metre remotely operated collector vehicle. Designed to withstand extreme ocean depths and pressures, the collector is launched and retrieved by a specialised launch and recovery system and connected via a robust 5000-metre umbilical cable for power and control. Operated from the vessel, it moves in tandem with Hidden Gem’s dynamic positioning system, precisely navigating the seabed to collect nodules with minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment. Nodules are transported from the seabed to the surface via a 4.5-kilometre riser pipe, deployed through the vessel’s moon pool. 

Historic milestone 

Hidden Gem completed successful pilot tests in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in 2022, safely collecting 3000 tonnes of polymetallic nodules and transporting 3000 tonnes to the surface from over 4 kilometers deep. It marked the first successful fully integrated nodule collection tests since the 1970s.  

Hidden Gem’s pioneering technology is setting a new standard for responsible deep-sea nodule collection, offering a sustainable solution for sourcing critical metals essential for the global transition to greener energy.  

Specials 

• Remotely controlled collection system to optimised for responsible recovery of nodules from ocean floor. 
• Integrated launch and recovery system for over-the-side deployment of collector. 
• At-sea deployment of 4.5-kilometre riser through moon pool to transport nodules.  
• First vessel to successfully recover nodules from the abyssal plain using integrated collector and riser and lift system.  

Download vessel specifications