British SME ZeroUSV has completed the inaugural launch of its Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel (USV), in preparation for the planned introduction of charter fleet of fully autonomous USVs.
The vessel is now set for commissioning and integration trials from ZeroUSV’s home port in Plymouth, UK, after nearly 18 months of design, engineering, and construction undertaken following the completion of the Mayflower 400 transatlantic autonomous voyage.
The project builds on collaboration between ZeroUSV’s parent firm MSubs, non-profit Promare, and maritime software company MarineAI.
The company says that vessel two in the series scheduled for completion in late March, with additional units following soon after. An official naming ceremony is planned for the spring.
Designed for long-distance, over-the-horizon operations, the Oceanus12 is mission-agnostic, supporting applications ranging from asset monitoring and geophysical surveys to border control, fisheries, and defence.
The vessel features a hybrid-electric drive system with twin drives, providing a cruising range of more than 2,500 nautical miles. It is equipped with multiple marine sensors, including mm-wave Navtech Radar, and MarineAI’s Guardian software, a fully autonomous navigation system.
ZeroUSV will both own and operate the fleet, including its remote observation centre (ROC), offering a managed service for customers.
“Oceanus12 presents a quantum leap forward in autonomous maritime technology and this is a seminal moment for the team here at ZeroUSV,” said Matthew Ratsey, founder of ZeroUSV.
“We’ve created the world’s first complete solution – not just a cutting-edge 12m over-the-horizon USV available for charter, but also full maintenance and support to ensure 24/7 operations with minimal downtime.”
“Designed with safety and efficiency in mind, Oceanus12 can take on a wide range of offshore over-the-horizon tasks that would typically require a crew, eliminating on-water risks and associated costs, including significant environmental benefits afforded by it being crewless For clients, this means greater flexibility, enhanced operational efficiency, and zero crew expenses.”
ZeroUSV plans to roll out an initial fleet of approximately 12 vessels, including an extended-range XLR variant with a 13m hull and 4,000L fuel capacity, enabling months-long missions. The fleet will initially be available in the UK, North America, Canada, and Australia.
