ACUA Ocean Launches Pioneer USV
sensor and system payloads.Following the successful launch, the USV Pioneer now enters a three-month period of sea trials and crucial regulatory checks ahead of demonstrations in March 2025.As part of the sea trials, ACUA Ocean will be working alongside Lloyd’s Register for Maritime and Coastguard Agency Workboat Code approvals.“This launch marks another major milestone in the journey for USV Pioneer and is testament to the team both at ACUA Ocean and the dozens of partners and subcontractors who have spent the last nine months delivering on this pioneering, world-first, vessel.&ldquo
SEA-KIT Awarded ZEVI Funding to Build Hydrogen-fueled USV
and sampling equipment. The vessel will also be able to launch and recover aerial drones for surveying, surveillance, search and rescue. ZEPHR will use two hydrogen fuel cell systems for redundancy.The vessel’s design will be reviewed with Lloyd’s Register and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to satisfy regulatory and compliance requirements and to obtain approvals for continuous operations. ZEPHR will be built at SEA-KIT’s recently expanded production facility in Tollesbury, Essex in the U.K
Fugro's USV with eROV Wins UK Maritime Agency Approval
Fugro’s Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessel (USV), has received approval from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to operate as the first USV with an electrical remotely operated vehicle (eROV) in UK waters.The MCA is the government body that regulates vessels in the UK ensuring they meet technical, safety and environmental requirements of the region. "Fugro sees this as a breakthrough development as USVs play a vital role in the future of the maritime sector by improving safety, reducing carbon emissions, and delivering data more efficiently," Fugro said."With
XOCEAN Acquires 4D Ocean
the news of XOCEAN’s successful €7.9 million funding round earlier this month.XOCEAN, which uses marine robotics known as unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to collect ocean data, has recently delivered projects for clients including BP, Equinor, PX Group and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The services provided by XOCEAN include mapping the seabed, inspecting subsea structures and monitoring the environment.Currently XOCEAN has USVs in operation in the UK, Azerbaijan, Trinidad and Canada with plans to build an additional 22 USVs over the next 12 months and recruit an additional
XOCEAN Secures $8.7 mln in Funding
plans and was fully subscribed by existing shareholders.XOCEAN is transforming the way ocean data is collected using marine robotics known as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). The company has recently delivered projects for clients including BP, Equinor, PX Group and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The services provided by XOCEAN include mapping the seabed, inspecting subsea structures and monitoring the environment.XOCEAN’s Chief Financial Officer Karen May said “It is a really exciting time for the business as we scale. This new investment allows us to accelerate
XOCEAN Attracts Funds for Global Growth
, Karen May, said, “It is a really exciting time for the business as we scale. This new investment allows us to accelerate our growth with expansion into new markets internationally.”Having delivered projects for clients including BP, Equinor, PX Group and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Irish-based XOCEAN currently has USVs in operation in the UK, Azerbaijan, Trinidad and Canada, with plans to build an additional 22 USVs over the next 12 months and recruit an additional 140 employees to service the market demand.James Ives, CEO, XOCEAN, said, “We are experiencing
Unmanned Vessels Map UK Nearshore
4DOcean and XOCEAN announced the completion of over 2,000 hours of unmanned bathymetric survey off the coasts of Scotland and England as part of the UK’s Lot 2 Civil Hydrography Program (CHP), administered by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) subcontracted by Meritaito.Operating two different unmanned vessels, 4DOcean and XOCEAN completed surveys of multiple nearshore locations between December 2018 and March 2019.The use of unmanned vessels offers significant benefits including safety with operators remaining onshore, efficiency with 24/7 operations and environmental with ultra-low
L3 ASV to Conduct UK Autonomous Navigation Study
L3 ASV has announced that it has received U.K. government funding for a pioneering project on autonomous navigation of maritime vessels. The company will conduct a study with its partners in the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), focusing on the future of marine navigational data and charts. The project is funded by the Department for Transport’s Transport Technology Research Innovation Grant (T-TRIG) and aims to promote early-stage science, engineering or technology innovations with the potential to advance the U.K.’s transport system.
UK Spurs Autonomous Shipping Development
The autonomous and smart shipping industry is set to receive a boost, after the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with the National Oceanography Center’s (NOC) Marine Robotics Innovation Center, successfully secured £1 million in a bid to accelerate the U.K. into a world-leading position in this area.The funding, awarded by the U.K. Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, will be used to pioneer new ways of regulating the autonomous and smart shipping
February 2025
