Zero USV partners with Leeway Marine to enter North American market
ZeroUSV, UK-based developer of USVs, names Leeway Marine as its first international franchisee for the Oceanus12 charter fleet in North America. Oceanus12 is a fully autonomous next-generation USV with hybrid-electric propulsion, MarineAI autonomy, and designed to be multi-role. This partnership accelerates ZeroUSV’s capability to meet the surging demand for high-endurance, over-the-horizon autonomous vessel deployment, from Hydrography and Bathymetry survey work, to defence and border control.
This partnership represents a landmark step in expanding Zero USV’s worldwide presence, with Leeway Marine now set to offer the company’s Oceanus12 USV for charter throughout Canada and the wider North American region. The charter-based business model is pioneering for this region and beyond; organisations no longer need to invest in costly ownership to harness the benefits of utilising a USV already set up with leading-edge autonomy fed by sophisticated algorithms using data fusion from an advanced sensor suite.
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Leeway Group was founded in 2015 by former navy professionals and is now one of Canada’s largest charter vessel suppliers in the offshore survey and defence charter market. The Group of companies includes Leeway Marine, Leeway Vessel Management, Offshore Crewing and related US subsidiaries. With operations in Canada, US and the Indo-Pacific Region, Leeway is poised to create significant growth for the Zero USV brand in current and emerging markets.
The Oceanus12 is a next-generation uncrewed surface vessel, designed from the keel up for extended, high endurance, fully autonomous missions. Key features include a twin hybrid-electric propulsion system for ultimate reliability and fuel efficiency, an advanced autonomy software stack powered by MarineAI’s GuardianAI software, and a mission-agnostic platform that can be configured for a diverse range of operations. Zero USV’s commitment to ‘turnkey’ solutions is backed by it also providing its own Remote Observation Centre (ROC), ensuring seamless integration and allowing customers to simply “charter and go”.
🎤 Zero USV founder, Matthew Ratsey, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing a company of the caliber and track record of Leeway Marine into the Zero USV network. To have Leeway Marine as our first global franchisee is a huge milestone for both companies and Leeway’s strong track record in the Canadian maritime sector makes it the ideal partner to champion Oceanus12 in North America.”
🎤 Jamie Sangster (CEO Leeway Group), said: “Becoming Zero USV’s first global franchisee underscores our commitment to delivering the most advanced uncrewed capabilities. We see enormous potential for Oceanus12 – from defence and security tasks to environmental surveys and infrastructure monitoring.
📃📷 Source: Zero USV