Usv News

NYK’s Group company Keihin Dock has signed a joint demonstration agreement with Oceanic Constellations (OC), an ocean-tech startup, seeks to establish a mass-production system for small unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).The move aims to accelerate the development of innovative solutions to tackle industry-wide marine challenges in Japan.OC plans to implement a world-first approach to consistent ocean monitoring by deploying multiple USVs equipped with sensors and communication…

Robosys Automation, a leader in maritime autonomy and remote operations, has announced a new contract award from the Australian Maritime College, AMC Search, to supply its advanced VOYAGER AI software as a retrofit to its OPT WAMV-16 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).This contract builds upon the current successful collaboration between Robosys and AMC Search for where VOYAGER AI is deployed in the Australian Maritime College’s (AMC) Bridge Simulators to build trust in AI navigation testing for STCW watchkeepers as well as to test autonomous COLREGS based Collision Avoidance.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed a strategic agreement to accelerate the development of autonomous surface units developed by Italian start-up Defcomm, which specializes in unmanned solutions for the maritime sector.The agreement focuses on a co-investment partnership to accelerate the development and industrialization of surface drones designed by Defcomm, which have already passed long run and endurance tests.These drones are designed for surveillance, intelligence…

Norwegian subsea services firm Reach Subsea has been granted a trading permit to operate its Reach Remote 1 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) entirely through remote operations - without a support vessel.The permit was issued by the Norwegian Maritime Authorities, with technical validation and support from DNV. Reach Remote 1 has already been in full commercial operation, and this permit initiates the final phase towards full certification.This is the first approval of its kind for an USV of this size with integrated Work Class ROV capability…

Boston-based Blue Water Autonomy, a company designing and producing unmanned ships for the U.S. Navy, has formed an Advisory Board whose members include:• RADM (ret.) Tom Anderson, former Program Executive Officer, Ships (PEO Ships)• Stephen Rodriguez, Chairman of Blue Forge Alliance & dual-use investor• Michael Stewart, former Director, Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office and Unmanned Task Force• VADM (ret.) Roy Kitchener, former Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific"As we enter the next phase of growth…

Zeabuz announced the launch of its defense and security autonomy platform, unveiled together with Damen Shipyards Group during the Damen Maritime Festival.As part of this launch, Zeabuz has integrated its autonomy system on the ZeaFalcon, a 7-meter Damen HDPE Uncrewed Surface Vessel optimized for defense and security applications. The system comprises a full suite of operational capabilities including autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, remote command and control, autodocking, and connectivity-denied operations.

Reach Subsea has exercised the first in a series of exclusive options with Kongsberg Maritime for the delivery of the next two uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), Reach Remote 3 and 4.The contract terms have been mutually agreed and remain confidential between the parties.Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2027, marking a key milestone in Reach Subsea’s USV scaling program.The specifications for Reach Remote 3 and 4 will mirror the first two vessels, with targeted adjustments…

Once a niche technology, Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) are at the center of a transformation in the maritime industry. From offshore surveying and environmental monitoring to defense operations, USVs offer compelling advantages in efficiency, cost reduction, and human safety. However, as these autonomous and remotely operated vessels become more prevalent in our oceans and waterways, they bring unique operational challenges that require innovative solutions.The remote operation…

The Saab-led MANGROVE consortium has been selected by NATO to lead the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network project (AUWB-MN), aimed at improving interoperability for maritime uncrewed systems and conventional platforms between allied naval forces.The project, which formally started earlier in September, is designing a Reference Architecture and a Test and Reference Environment for a mission network that leverages both crewed and uncrewed systems, above, on and below the water.The mission network will facilitate rapid and secure information exchange…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued classification to the Surveyor, a fully autonomous deepwater unmanned surface vehicle (USV), developed by Saildrone.At 20 meters long and capable of unmanned operations across all of the world’s oceans, the Surveyor is the largest class of USVs from Saildrone, a provider of maritime security, ocean mapping, and meteorological and oceanographic data using unmanned autonomous assets.The USV is capable of long-endurance missions in the open ocean…

ACUA Ocean's hydrogen-powered unmanned surface vessel (USV) PIONEER has successfully completed the world's first continuous, remote 24-hour offshore operation on zero emissions, marking a breakthrough in the decarbonization of the global maritime sector.The sea trials demonstrate the commercial potential of hydrogen power for maritime operations while supporting the UK's ambition to become a world leader in clean maritime innovation.During the trial, PIONEER sailed to the Eddystone Lighthouse…

U.S.-based subsea services and technology firm Oceaneering has completed a major upgrade of its Ocean Intervention II oceanographic research vessel, equipping it to perform simultaneous autonomous offshore survey missions.The retrofit, carried out in early 2025 on the 25-year-old vessel, has made it capable of launching and recovering both uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).The vessel, originally launched in 2000 for geophysical and geotechnical survey work…

Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC), a leader in unmanned surface vehicle (USV) technology, has announced its selection as one of ten winners of the U.S. Joint Staff J7 Warfighting Lab Incentive Fund (WLIF) for Fiscal Year 2026. Out of more than 150 submissions, MARTAC was chosen for its forward-thinking capabilities and significant contributions to future warfighting concepts.This recognition marks a milestone for MARTAC as it continues to redefine the maritime battlespace with autonomous platforms that excel in versatility, performance, and operational resilience.

Researchers from Dalhousie University and the US Naval Postgraduate School presented a concept for an affordable mother ship with a flotilla of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) capable of providing coast guard services at the ISCRAM2025 Conference (Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management) in Halifax, Canada, last month.The concept could provide a persistent, on-water presence which could assist with search and rescue response, response to shore-based emergencies…

Ocean services provider DeepOcean, with its joint venture partners Solstad Offshore and Østensjø Rederi, has taken delivery of a newbuild uncrewed surface vessel (USV), which will be used for subsea survey, inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) work across offshore energy industries.The vessel - named USV Challenger - will shortly arrive at DeepOcean’s subsea base at Killingøy in Norway, where it will undergo trials of its launch and recovery system (LARS) for the onboard ROV.The USV Challenger is 24 meters long and 7.5 meters wide.

Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark is set to debut its latest unmanned surface vessel at the upcoming Sea-Air-Space military symposium in National Harbor, Maryland, with three days of on-water demonstrations.Metal Shark’s new high speed maneuverable unmanned surface vessel (HSMUSV) is a 21-foot military craft specifically configured for unmanned, human-in-the-loop operation. It has been designed to offer the US Armed Forces and allies a low-cost multi-payload USV solution…

The Republic of Singapore Navy’s maritime security unmanned surface vessels (USVs) began operational patrols in January 2025, operating alongside manned ships such as the RSN’s Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) to enhance the security of Singapore’s waters. The 16.9-meter USVs add another layer of surveillance and operational response. They conduct patrols, and when required, will investigate and interdict suspicious vessels. They can reach speeds of over 25 knots and can operate for over 36 hours.By providing more persistent coverage in the Singapore Strait…

Saildrone is scaling up its fleet in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States in response to the US-declared state of emergency at its southern border.On the water, the US Navy and Coast Guard have moved fleets of ships into place. These agencies are responsible for securing thousands of miles of coastline and open ocean, but assets are extremely limited, and there is too much water to cover.Now, Saildrone is doubling its fleet…

Swedish and U.S. Marines gathered in Sweden’s rocky coastal archipelago to improve their littoral warfighting skills and enhance interoperability during Exercise Archipelago Endeavor 2024 (AE 24).“This is an annual exercise between Sweden and U.S., and it is the seventh time we conducted  it, but it's the first time that we conducting the exercise as an ally. Before that, we have conducted the exercise as a partner,” said Lt. Col. Patrik Berge of the Stockholm Marine Regiment…

Maritime Robotics, a provider of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and autonomous navigation systems in the maritime industry, has closed a $12 million capital raise, which will be used to accelerate business growth and international expansion.The funding round was co-led by the Nordic cleantech fund NRP Zero and the Norwegian state-owned fund Nysnø Climate Investment, with significant participation from Umoe and Holta Invest.As the market for maritime autonomous vessels continues to grow rapidly…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center (USCG-RDC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as a stepping stone towards collaborative research and development on top-of-mind technologies impacting the maritime industry.Activity under the MoU can include developing joint research publications, new technology qualifications and information sharing in a variety of research areas including remote and autonomous systems for uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles…

U.S.-based Chance Maritime Technologies, a startup and service provider of uncrewed vessel technology, reports it has completed long-endurance commissioning trials of its MC-29: a 29-foot-long, mission-capable USV that operates at high power with long endurance. The vehicle completed over 40 total operational days, which included 24 operational days of 24-hour operation in Vermilion Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.This new class of utility vessel offers kilowatts of continuously available payload power…

Spain-based Gondan Shipbuilders has started the construction of an advanced remotely operated unmanned surface vehicle (USV) for a company made up of DeepOcean, Solstad and Østensjø Rederi alliance called USV A/S.The project focuses on improving subsea operations, targeting a reduction of CO2 emissions by more than 90% compared to conventional methods.The new USV will be used for underwater maintenance and inspection missions.Designed by Salt Ship Design, the vessel will feature a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system…