ASV Viper joins Leeway Marine’s fleet
One of Zero USV’s Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel has officially left UK waters following successful trials in Plymouth, bound for Canada where it will join Leeway Marine’s operational fleet under its new name: ASV Viper. Renamed and readied for service, Viper marks a significant moment for Zero USV as the first vessel to be deployed internationally under its franchise model, and the first step in bringing high-endurance, over-the-horizon uncrewed capability to North America.
The partnership sees Leeway Marine appointed as Zero USV’s first international franchisee, with exclusive rights to operate the Oceanus12 in Canada and the wider region on a charter basis. Designed from the keel up for extended autonomous missions, the Oceanus12 features a hybrid-electric twin propulsion system, advanced autonomy from AI software leaders, Marine AI, and a mission-flexible platform suitable for defence, survey, and border security operations.
? Matthew Ratsey, founder of Zero USV, said: “We’re proud to see ASV Viper heading into service, particularly with Leeway Marine, who have deep operational experience and knowledge, making them the ideal partner to take Zero USV to North America. This is a meaningful step in our global expansion, and one that shows the increasing demand for high-performance, uncrewed platforms that don’t rely on costly ownership models.”
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Leeway Marine is one of Canada’s largest offshore charter operators, with a strong presence in defence and survey markets. ASV Viper will be the first autonomous vessel of its kind in the region, opening new possibilities for persistent maritime operations without crew onboard.
Zero USV’s model enables customers to access turnkey autonomous capability through charter, supported by its own Remote Observation Centre (ROC) – reducing complexity, time to deployment, and risk.
Viper is expected to enter operational trials in Canadian waters later this summer.
?? Source: Zero USV