ACUA Ocean Launches Pioneer USV
UK-based autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) developer ACUA Ocean has completed the test launch of the USV Pioneer from its base at Turnchapel Wharf in U.K.'s Plymouth, ahead of sea trials planned for March 2025.ACUA Ocean’s Pioneer-class program began in 2022 through funding from the UK Department of Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition with initial concepts and designs developed by naval architect John Kecsmar of Ad Hoc Marine Design, a global leader in small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) vessel design.The launch is a major milestone for the Pioneer-class since
USV Developer Closes New Funding Round
vessel (USV) developer ACUA Ocean has closed its £1.5M Pre-Seed investment round co-led by StealthPoint and Britbots, alongside securing £4M in new and existing research and development grants from the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department for Transport.The pre-seed round, led by StealthPoint, a US defence and intelligence investor deploying capital into hardware and software innovators, focusing on strengthening national security for the US and its allies.The round also saw investment from the UK early-stage investor in robotics and automation
Funding Granted for "World’s First" Vessel Charging Station within Offshore Wind Farm
A renewable energy technology consortium has secured £1.5 million funding to what they say is "the world’s first offshore charging station within a UK wind farm."The funding was awarded as part of the UK's Department for Transport and Innovate UK’s £60 million Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) grant.Project leaders Oasis Marine, who specialize in marine charging solutions, have partnered with power electronics and rapid charging specialist Turbo Power Systems and, Verlume, an intelligent energy management and storage technologies specialist, and the
Zero Emission Hydrogen USV Design Wins CMDC Round 2 Funding
how our decarbonizing technology can play a key role in the maritime industry’s journey towards achieving net zero."The Zero Emission H-Class Ocean USV project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 2 (CMDC2) which was launched in May 2022, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. As part of CMDC2, the Department allocated over £14 million to 31 projects supported by 121 organizations from across the UK to deliver feasibility studies and collaborative R&D projects in clean maritime solutions.CMDC2 is part of
MTR100: For USVs and AUVs, is it a Hydrogen Future?
– hydrogen as an option.SEA-KITThe Maxlimer hydrogen configuration. Image courtesy SEA-KIT InternationalTwo UK firms, SEA-KIT and ACUA Ocean are working on hydrogen power systems for their USVs. SEA-KIT, through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition funded by the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT), is working on installing a PCB (printed circuit board) based hydrogen fuel cell, engineered by Bramble Energy, on its 12 m-long demonstration vessel Maxlimer USV. It’s aiming for a demonstration by the end of the year, says Commercial Manager David Ball.Currently, SEA-KIT USVs
Ireland's First: XOCEAN Deploys Uncrewed Vessel for Survey in Irish Waters
safety of navigation and that the highest quality data was collected," XOCEAN said."Having operated in 16 jurisdictions globally in North America, Europe, and Asia, XOCEAN is delighted to have completed last week’s survey in Irish waters and is grateful to the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton T.D. and the Marine Survey Office for their engagement and support in enabling this highly innovative project to be delivered," XOCEAN said.Commenting on the project, James Ives, CEO of XOCEAN said: “Our USV platform has demonstrated itself to be a safe
Wind-powered Offshore Charging Station Completes Sea Trials in Cromarty Firth
wind turbines or other sources, to provide a zero-emission energy source and a dual function as an offshore mooring and charging point.Oasis Marine Power Ltd is a subsidiary of Jebb Smith Ltd which was awarded a grant in 2020 through MarRI-UK Technology and Innovation in UK Maritime Call, funded by the Department of Transport, to develop the Oasis Power Buoy.Removing Idle Emissions: Maersk Launches Offshore Vessel-charging Firm Stillstro
Ocean Infinity Aims to Deliver Ammonia Fuel Propulsion Package for Armada Fleet
leading experts, we are driving forward a ground-breaking ammonia based fuel cell system, which will not only make the Armada fleet the cleanest in the world, but also has the potential to revolutionize marine propulsion systems."The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition is funded by the Department for Transport, with Innovate UK acting as delivery partner. With Ocean Infinity acting as lead partner, the company is combining forces with UK-leading experts in clean fuel cell technology; maritime logistics; deployment and operation of remote and autonomous technology; and the development of
SEA-KIT's USV to be Powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cell
to install a PCB-based hydrogen fuel cell, engineered by Bramble Energy, on its 12m USV ‘Maxlimer’ and demonstrate zero-emission maritime operations.SEA-KIT secured the grant through the recent Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) – Strand 2 in the UK funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) working with InnovateUK.The project will showcase a successful diesel to hydrogen conversion of SEA-KIT’s USV design and demonstrate a route to fulfilling the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan Strategy commitment of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 50%
February 2025
