Fast Offshore Testing. Simple. Efficient. Realistic.

With First Fast Trials, the Digital Ocean Lab offers a unique opportunity to test new maritime technologies, sensors, systems and prototypes quickly, easily and under realistic offshore conditions as part of research and development activities. Thanks to our existing infrastructure, we provide low-threshold access to initial practical testing at sea – without long lead times or extensive organizational effort.

The Idea

Innovation needs early feedback from real-world conditions. Laboratory and simulation tests are important – but genuine offshore conditions can only be experienced at sea. First Fast Trials bridges this gap by providing easy access through regular trips to the test area. This enables research partners as well as development teams from academia and industry to test their solutions under offshore conditions at an early stage.

The Format

As part of our research activities, we conduct scheduled test trips with our research vessel every month. As long as capacity is available on board, partners can use these trips to test their own systems, components or prototypes.

With First Fast Trials, we make early-stage offshore testing more accessible and support the further development of maritime technologies based on real-world operating conditions.

How It Works

1. Submit an inquiry – Describe your project and your testing requirements.
2. Coordination & planning – We assess feasibility and coordinate your participation in one of the upcoming test trips.
3. Conduct the test trip – Join our monthly trip and test your systems in the offshore test area.
4. Evaluate the results – Gain valuable data, insights and practical experience to support further development.

With First Fast Trials, we lower the barriers to entry for maritime innovation and accelerate the path from idea to market-ready solution.

Start your first offshore tests now – fast, flexible and practical.

Upcoming Dates

(subject to suitable weather conditions)

• 8 September 2026
• 6 October 2026