Newsletter – VI 2025
Overview of projects and operations – June 2025
We kicked off June with the servicing of equipment aboard the Doktor Lubecki vessel. First successful playbacks were carried out – a small yet great accomplishment!
In the second half of June, we began the servicing of equipment aboard the Baltic Surveyor vessel. The work is ongoing, even though the weather hasn’t exactly been on our side.
Thanks to the incredible commitment of our specialists, we managed to successfully repair the PAM equipment, despite many challenges along the way. By the end of the month, it was already aboard the SVANEN vessel.
Another service operation is on the horizon – this time we’re preparing for it with new methodology in mind, while also planning to deploy two more F-PODs.
Together with our consortium partners, we delivered the project documentation to the client. The work has really picked up pace! We’re also keeping our fingers crossed for Amber Cecilia – hoping the vessel will be back from the shipyard very soon!
Soon, we’re planning to launch ROV inspections in the monopile area. The project is currently waiting in line for vessel availability – and as soon as mobilisation becomes possible, we’re ready to set sail!
We’ve successfully completed benthic video surveys using the Yuco AUV, and at the same time wrapped up the servicing of AWACs and C-PODs. At the first good weather window, we’ve got the buoys lined up for servicing. July is shaping up to be quite busy – with benthos and hydrochemical surveys on the agenda, and preparations already underway for the next round of bird migration surveys.
June marked a breakthrough month for the ‘Maritime Office’ project. We moved our operations to the Słupsk Furrow area to help reduce GPS signal disruptions. As always, every team is fully committed to ensure that the final outcome meets our client’s expectations.
The next project has only just officially commenced – and the F-PODs are already in the water. Furthermore, we are planning more benthos sampling cruises deploying the Van Veen grab sampler, and we are currently preparing the related documentation. Let’s keep it up!
We’ve just completed the preparation of four Environmental Scoping Reports! The work proceeded smoothly, and the client was pleased with the final result. Next up is the final stage – translating the documentation into four languages: English, German, Swedish, and Danish. Delivering the translated ESRs to the client will mark the completion of the project.
Offshore Corner
Hydro Team
Our team is hard at work processing data, developing project documentation, and reviewing technical proposals for the upcoming tasks.
MAG Team
Surveys for one of our projects concluded on 18 June. Our Magnetometry Team is now in the final phase of wrapping up the project, while preparations are in full swing for the next assignment, where the collected magnetometry data will be used to create ALARP charts.
Seismic Survey Team
Lately, we’ve experienced a wave of new initiatives and internal development. Particular focus was put on developing internal software for quality control and efficient seismic data processing. Our team is working on data visualisation, quick conversion of quality attributes, and developing an overlay for efficient processing of navigational data. The aim is for the software to soon replace external solutions and, above all, to speed up the quality control process as a tool custom-designed for MEWO operations. We’re still working on a catchy name for the software 😉
Additionally, we’ve rolled out the MCS processing module ‘FAST-TRACK PostSTM’ – a streamlined set of algorithms designed to quickly deliver MCS UHRS data at a quality level that supports effective and on-time analysis. This is a significant step forward, meeting our clients’ expectations for optimisation and efficiency in seismic operations.
We’ve also completed an internal training on offline MCS data quality control, particularly aimed at our less experienced team members.
MEWO ON THE ROAD
Baltic Defence Workshops 29.05.2025 Szczecin
The workshops gathered more than 50 experts from across Poland, including CI operators from the Orlen Group in Płock, Orlen Security in Gdańsk, the West Pomeranian Marshal’s Office, the Maritime Unit of the Border Guard, the Maritime Office in Szczecin, the port of Darłowo, and firms delivering security technologies for critical maritime infrastructure.
The Government Centre for Security emphasised that the protection of Critical Infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the investor. The Offshore Transformer Substation and the Export Cable were recognised as the critical elements of OWFs that require protection at sea.
Plans are underway to set up a Maritime Security Centre, overseen by the Maritime Unit of the Border Guard.
The Government Centre for Security is preparing a draft document entitled ‘Minimum Requirements for Critical Infrastructure Security’.
In addition to the planned update of national legislation, the Government Centre for Security has also referred to the ‘EU Action Plan on Cable Security’ (attached) of 21.02.2025, which emphasises the development of member states’ capabilities across four key areas:
1. Prevention
2. Detection
3. Response
4. Deterrence
It emphasises the involvement of private sector firms in restoring CI after incidents. While the document focuses on developing EU resources for underwater CI repairs, such as spare parts stockpiles and cable repair fleets, those initiatives offer a chance for MEWO to perform swift inspections after incidents and repair operations.
The Baltic Sea and the North Sea were identified as the areas most exposed to attacks on maritime CI.
Another interesting presentation was delivered by Mr Mirosław Burat, Manager for Defence Sector Development Support at the National Development Bank, entitled ‘Financing the Defence Sector in Poland’.
While the title has a formal, military tone, it also covers financing the development of dual-use technologies and CI protection, as highlighted by the NDB representative, especially regarding ‘drone’ systems. For both surface and underwater ‘drones’, replacing the Test and Measurement Equipment elements with combat equipment seems technically feasible.
Discussions at the Workshops included recent attacks on CI in the Baltic Sea, suspicious movements of Russian ships, and issues related to emergency response and the activities of the Polish (GULF E and GULF W regions) and NATO (BALTIC CENTRE) Navy.
17th Modern Gravel and Sand Mines Conference 26–28.05.2025 Gdańsk
On 26–28 May 2025, Sobieszewo Island in Gdańsk hosted the 17th Modern Gravel and Sand Mines Conference, gathering mining industry professionals, engineers, public administration representatives, and manufacturers of machinery, technologies, and services for the extraction of natural aggregates, mainly on land.
During the conference, panel sessions addressed a range of current challenges facing the sector, including:
1. Directions of changes in the Geological and Mining Law affecting the aggregates industry;
2. Poland’s raw material potential, with a focus on the Pomeranian region;
3. Cooperation between mining supervision authorities and mining enterprises;
4. Comprehensive monitoring of mining sites by air, land, and water using the latest survey techniques;
5. From surveys to decision-making – analysis of multibeam echosounder data in extractions from beneath the water table;
6. Giving a mine a second life – ideas for post-extraction site use;
7. Polish Standard, law, regulation – planning and implementing open-pit land reclamation;
8. Tips & tricks for environmental decision-making.
Throughout the day, we also had the chance to see the latest technological innovations in aggregate mining and transport, presented by various machinery manufacturers.
During his presentation, ‘Methods for Identifying and Documenting Natural Aggregate Deposits on the Baltic Sea Seabed,’ Radosław Wróblewski showcased MEWO, which attracted significant interest from the audience.
Participating in the event provided an opportunity to exchange experiences with industry and administration representatives, and to learn about the latest trends and solutions that can be applied in our daily operations. We look forward to these new connections generating tender opportunities and raising the profile of the MEWO brand in the aggregate mining industry, especially across the Baltic Sea.
25th Seminar on Methods for Identifying and Documenting Mineral Deposits and Geological Mine Management 27–30.05.2025 Wałbrzych
The conference featured presentations, poster sessions, and field trips to mining plants and material processing plants.
The seminar focused on the challenges in DOCUMENTING MINERAL DEPOSITS IN LIGHT OF MINING LAW AND ITS AMENDMENTS, AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF 25 SEMINARS.
Additionally, the event aimed to facilitate the exchange of experiences among researchers, administration representatives, and practitioners on topics, such as legal and regulatory aspects of geological work design, proposed changes to the licensing and documentation of mineral deposits, updates to the Mining Law, methods for assessing the quality and usability of minerals for innovative applications, and the reclamation of areas degraded by mining activities using spatial analyses and biotechnological methods.
During the seminar, Aleksandra Ilska-Drążkowska presented ‘Opportunities for Documenting and Exploiting Natural Aggregates from the Baltic Seabed – Sampling Methodology,’ developed in collaboration with the expert − Lidia Król.
Presentation abstract:
Currently, there are five active concessions for sand and gravel extraction from the Baltic Sea deposits. A key challenge remains the detailed assessment of the quality and thickness of sediment layers that could constitute potential deposits. Accurate assessment requires the use of advanced survey techniques and optimisation of the geological sampling process, which is essential for creating a precise deposit model in line with the principles of sustainable mineral management. Geological data collected serve as the basis for delineating deposit boundaries and evaluating its potential for extraction.
