American Ocean Minerals Announces Deployment of Anuanua Moana for Expanded Deep-Sea Scientific and Environmental Research Programs
American Ocean Minerals Corporation (AOMC) has announced the next phase of scientific deployment of its proprietary research vessel, the MV Anuanua Moana, marking a significant advancement in its deep-sea environmental research and exploration initiatives. The vessel’s active deployment represents a core operational milestone for AOMC as it accelerates its long-term ocean science, resource assessment, and environmental baseline programs across multiple jurisdictions.
The announcement also underscores the strategic importance of the vessel within AOMC’s broader corporate trajectory, particularly in relation to its recently disclosed definitive merger agreement with Odyssey Marine Exploration. Upon completion, the transaction is expected to establish a premier U.S.-controlled deep-sea critical minerals platform with an estimated combined valuation of approximately $1 billion, positioning the combined entity as a leading force in responsible subsea resource development.
A Dedicated Deep-Sea Scientific Platform
Originally constructed in 2007 and acquired by AOMC in 2022, the Anuanua Moana is a 196-foot (approximately 60-meter) purpose-built offshore research vessel that has undergone extensive refurbishment and modernization. Since its acquisition, it has been transformed into a fully integrated ocean science platform designed specifically for deep-sea minerals exploration and environmental monitoring.
Unlike traditional marine research operations that rely on chartered vessels, the Anuanua Moana operates as a permanently equipped, dedicated offshore laboratory. This configuration eliminates the logistical inefficiencies, mobilization delays, and equipment integration challenges commonly associated with multi-vessel research campaigns. As a result, AOMC is able to conduct continuous, uninterrupted scientific operations, significantly increasing both data consistency and operational efficiency.
The vessel serves as the central offshore asset for Ocean Minerals LLC (OML), a key subsidiary within AOMC’s corporate structure. Upon completion of the merger with Odyssey Marine Exploration, AOMC is expected to control between 80% and 100% of OML, which owns the vessel through its wholly owned subsidiary Kiva Marine Ltd.
Integrated Technology and Scientific Capabilities
The Anuanua Moana is outfitted with a comprehensive suite of advanced marine exploration and scientific systems. These include permanently installed multibeam sonar arrays, high-resolution sub-bottom profilers, scientific echo sounders, and subsea tracking systems that enable precise mapping of seafloor structures and mineral deposits.
The vessel is further equipped with two heavy-duty A-frames that support the deployment of a wide range of deep-sea sampling tools, including tow sleds, box corers, multi-corers, and dredging systems used for bulk seafloor material collection.
One of its most critical capabilities is a 6,000-meter-rated remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which provides high-definition imaging and precision sampling at extreme ocean depths. This system enables researchers to directly observe and document deep-sea ecosystems while collecting geological and biological specimens in situ.
Onboard, the vessel contains three fully equipped scientific laboratories dedicated to geology, chemistry, and biology. These facilities allow for real-time processing and preliminary analysis of samples collected during offshore operations, significantly reducing the time required for post-expedition evaluation.
The vessel is designed to accommodate up to 42 personnel, including scientists, engineers, and operational crew. Its workforce is cross-trained across multiple disciplines, enabling efficient collaboration between technical and scientific teams during continuous 24-hour offshore operations.
Advancing Continuous Deep-Sea Data Collection
According to AOMC leadership, the Anuanua Moana represents a transformative advancement in deep-sea scientific infrastructure due to its ability to support continuous, long-term data acquisition programs.
“The Anuanua Moana has been engineered and outfitted with modern equipment and capabilities for the next evolution of deep-sea minerals and environmental research,” said Hans Smit, President and CEO of Ocean Minerals LLC. “The vessel’s permanent deployment allows us to collect data on an ongoing basis, feeding into spatial and temporal data sets that are unparalleled in the industry.”
Smit, who brings more than three decades of deep-ocean engineering and exploration experience, has previously contributed to the development of systems used by major offshore mining operations globally.
AOMC Chairman Tom Albanese, former CEO of Rio Tinto, emphasized the strategic importance of dedicated offshore infrastructure in enabling long-term resource development.
“AOMC is positioned to be a long-term supplier of the minerals required for American re-industrialization, and unlocking a portfolio of this scale requires dedicated infrastructure,” Albanese said. “Access to this offshore asset allows us to seamlessly advance both our Cook Islands and potential high-seas projects while maintaining high environmental standards and accelerating regulatory timelines.”
Environmental Baseline Strategy and Regulatory Pathway
A central component of AOMC’s operational model is its commitment to environmental baseline data collection, which is a regulatory prerequisite for transitioning from exploration to potential commercial harvesting of deep-sea mineral resources.
The company’s scientific framework relies on multi-year environmental monitoring programs designed to establish detailed ecosystem baselines. These datasets are intended to support Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS), and Mining License applications under applicable regulatory frameworks.
Katie Allen, Environmental Manager at Ocean Minerals LLC, emphasized the importance of long-term scientific consistency.
“Collecting consistent data allows us to understand ecosystem structure and variability over time, which is essential to assessing potential impacts and ensuring that our permit and license applications are grounded in robust science,” Allen stated.
AOMC’s environmental approach focuses on building a comprehensive digital ecosystem model that captures biodiversity distribution, habitat variability, and potential environmental sensitivities. This model is intended to support regulatory transparency and improve decision-making for future offshore development activities.
Operational Achievements and Resource Definition Milestones
The Anuanua Moana has already completed several significant operational campaigns. Among its most notable achievements is the rapid mapping of AOMC’s EL3 license area in the Cook Islands, covering more than 23,500 square kilometers in just 16 days.
Subsequently, a 30-day resource definition campaign utilized ROV-based imaging and sampling to confirm the presence of high-density polymetallic nodule fields. These findings contributed to a 2025 S-K 1300-compliant Technical Report, which estimated 417 million wet tonnes of indicated mineral resources and an additional 102 million wet tonnes of inferred resources within the EL3 area.
Across multiple campaigns, the vessel has accumulated more than 3,700 hours of offshore operational time, completed 30 ROV deployments, conducted 47 box core and 100 free-fall grab sampling operations, and collected over 800 individual samples. More than five tonnes of polymetallic nodules have been recovered for analysis.
These datasets are currently being used to support ongoing Pre-Feasibility Studies and Environmental Impact assessments conducted in collaboration with third-party consultants, including AMC Consultants and ERIAS Group, both of which are contributing independent technical and environmental validation.
A Global Multi-Jurisdictional Research Platform
The Anuanua Moana is designed to function as a centralized research platform supporting an exploration portfolio exceeding 500,000 square kilometers. Its operational footprint spans multiple jurisdictions, including the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), U.S.-regulated deep-sea areas in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), and the Penrhyn Basin.
Beyond internal operations, the vessel has also been deployed in international collaborative research programs. These include scientific missions conducted on behalf of the University of Tokyo and funded by the Nippon Foundation, as well as exploration campaigns in Japanese territorial waters near Minamitorishima.
In the CCZ, the vessel has supported multiple international research initiatives, including campaigns for Japan’s Deep Ocean Resources Development (DORD), Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR), and Interoceanmetal (IOM). It is also scheduled for further deployments, including an 84-day campaign for DORD later this year.
Community Engagement and Environmental Transparency
AOMC has emphasized the importance of community engagement and transparency as part of its operational philosophy. The Anuanua Moana has been actively involved in supporting local Cook Islands communities by providing scientific data that assists in fisheries planning, including the optimization of Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) placement.
Additionally, the vessel’s datasets have been used in climate resilience studies, including assessments of tsunami risk and severe weather patterns.
The company has also conducted outreach programs involving local community members and government officials, including representatives from the Seabed Minerals Authority and the office of Prime Minister Mark Brown. These initiatives have included onboard visits, live demonstrations of ROV operations, and direct engagement with scientific teams.
“The importance of social license cannot be overstated,” said Smit. “We actively engage communities who have questions about this industry, and we use the vessel as a platform to demonstrate the rigor and transparency of our work. It builds trust and confidence that we are advancing responsibly.”
Ongoing Research and Future Campaigns
At present, the Anuanua Moana is engaged in a ROV-based megafauna survey campaign, conducting deep-sea transect studies across 30 designated locations using three-kilometer survey lines. These surveys aim to document visible marine life and assess ecosystem distribution patterns.
A follow-up campaign will focus on targeted benthic sampling to study microscopic organisms and sediment composition, in collaboration with independent scientific institutions. These efforts are expected to further refine AOMC’s environmental models and strengthen the scientific foundation of its long-term development strategy.
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