Oil and gas service firm NCS Survey has invested £1.4million in new underwater equipment to expand its fleet.
The firm, based out of Westhill, said it had spent the cash on two autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
It said the purchase, which adds to its fleet of AUVs launched three years ago, reflected demand from the industry.
NCS Survey president Andy Gray said: “The addition of these Gavia AUVs to our fleet is a reflection of a growing demand from current and potential clients for AUV services in 2012.
“As a global leader in the use of this equipment, we are constantly growing and expanding in accordance to our clients’ demands. This is an ideal representation of that.”
The two new AUVs are equipped with high-resolution side-scan sonar, a multi-beam echo sounder, an ultra-short baseline positioning system, long baseline, global positioning system and inertial navigation.
They will be used to provide data for pipeline and platform inspections, cable and pipe route surveys and offshore windfarm projects around the world.
Last month, NCS said it was to expand its north-east headquarters after opening offices in Brazil and Norway.
Set up in 2005 and bought by private-equity backed Acteon Group last year, the firm employs 95 out of Westhill.