Blom mapping coast in France

01 February 2010, 1:08pm

Blom has signed a framework agreement for a survey related to the mapping and monitoring of coastal stretches in Brittany, France, required by the French Marine Protected Areas Agency and the Marine Natural Park of Iroise. The framework agreement has a total value of NOK 11 million, with NOK 5,5 million already signed for. The contract is in the scope of the Litto3D project, and the project will be completed by 3rd quarter2010.

Litto3D®, a SHOM (Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy) and IGN (National Geographic Institute) programme, aims to produce a seamless Digital Terrain Model of the entire French coast (more than 5.500 km length), which will be the core of all integrated coastal management projects. Litto3D® is required for a large number of usage areas, such as public maritime delimitation, littoral protection (change of coastline due to erosion, fauna and flora protection), risks prevention (floods, pollution, safety at sea, natural disasters), regional development (ports, tourism and industry), mineral and living resources concern, research and scientific studies, military needs (inshore patrol, search and rescue, amphibious operation, mine warfare).

“This strategic contract award has been achieved thanks to Blom’s unique skills and experience within coastal mapping and monitoring, which has given us a leadership position in this market.”, says Dirk Blaauw, CEO of Blom ASA.

Blom is able to provide a complete airborne solution for coastal management by combining a bathymetric laser scanning with hyperspectral scanning. The bathymetric laser scanner gathers accurate data simultaneously from both land and seabed terrain, delivering the response that 21st century decision makers need. The hyperspectral scanner provides data in order to map the nature of the seabed and make an inventory of the marine vegetation as well.

Blom

Geo: International