Zero USV was formed to take advantage of the software technology developed by Marine AI and engineering company MSubs to create a new class of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), the 12m Oceanus12 class. Matthew Ratsey, Managing Director of Zero USV, discussed Oceanus12’s development and future prospects, in conversation with Antonia Cole.
Zero USV is building a fleet of fully autonomous vessels, which it will operate and then charter to a variety of industries.
The Oceanus12 class fleet will offer a turnkey package to businesses, breaking down barriers to entry in the autonomous vessel industry. The fleet will assist a whole host of client user applications, from geophysical surveying and offshore energy, through to fisheries, science, policing and defence.
The company has formed a joint venture – Zero USV North America - with marine servicing company Leeway Marine to make the fleet readily available throughout North America and the Caribbean, with an operational base in Hallifax. Oceanus12 will also be available to charter from bases in Australia and the UK.
“By placing vessels in these key locations, we hope to achieve instant global traction and interest in Zero USV,” said Managing Director Matthew Ratsey.
“This is an entirely unique and innovative project, which is why our global reach is so important. It’s exciting to be acting at the forefront of autonomous vessels.”
No hands on deck
The Oceanus12 class is a fully autonomous fleet. The limited range of ‘autonomous vessels’ currently on the market generally revert to operations via remote control in tandem with a mothership, limiting these vessels in terms of distance and versatility.
Oceanus12 is a deep-ocean autonomous vessel with no human aspect to the operation of the ship. The design improves safety by reducing human risk, as well as increasing efficiencies and flexibility whilst lowering operational cost.
“This technology will change the future of the marine industry,” explained Mr Ratsey. “Autonomous vessels are able to deliver the most time-, fuel- and cost-efficient journeys. We see this becoming a highly sought after option as we develop our fleet.”
The vessel has a cruising range at 7 knots in excess of 2,000 nautical miles, whilst at around 4 knots this increases dramatically to more than 3,500 nautical miles. The range can be extended with a deck-mounted fuel bladder if required, giving a minimum voyage time between re-fuelling of at least three weeks.
Oceanus12 is extremely tough, being made from aluminium that allows it to operate in higher latitudes. The vessel is built from a kit of laser-cut aluminium parts, allowing Zero USV to ship a complete set of components anywhere in the world to be assembled locally, safe in the knowledge that it will be identical to those built in the UK.
Oceanus12 was based upon knowledge from the Mayflower Autonomous Ship Project that MSubs built and Marine AI provided its GuardianAI software for. This project mirrored the journey of the original Mayflower in 1620, but with a fully autonomous vessel. In collaboration with organisations such as ProMare and IBM, the companies utilised artificial intelligence and advanced sensor systems to deliver real-time navigation and decision -making. Zero USV will utilise an improved version of the GuardianAI software which was deployed on Mayflower.
The vessel was equipped with scientific instruments to record information, giving insights into climate change, ocean health and marine biodiversity. This project educated about autonomous vessels and also ocean conservation, displaying the possibilities for how USVs such as Oceanus12 could contribute to environmental research and border protection.
“You learn so much by working on something like the Mayflower Autonomous Ship Project,” said Mr Ratsey. “The lessons were immeasurable. We made continuous improvements throughout the voyage and
now, with Oceanus12, we have evolved so much further in terms of technology and engineering knowledge.
“We’ve made Oceanus12 as durable, efficient and problem-free as possible. By investing in high-quality parts and components, we can ensure the reliability of our vessels and their effectiveness at sea.”
Plain sailing sustainability
As an autonomous vessel, Ocenaus12 can optimise routes to minimise fuel consumption. The vessel’s AI allows for the most effective navigation decisions to be made in real time – microseconds - throughout the journey.
The vessel features a twin electric hybrid drive that reduces emissions produced
through travel. By using electricity, Oceanus12 is less dependent on unrenewable fuel sources, ultimately minimising carbon emissions. The vessel is also quieter and produces fewer vibrations, limiting the impact on marine ecosystems as habitats are less disturbed.
With rechargeable batteries and access to charging points at motherships and shorelines, electricity can be used when necessary on the voyage as needed for an environmentally conscious journey.
Generators are run on hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is a more environmentally alternative to diesel. This reduces Oceanus12’s carbon footprint and utilises waste products in the fuelling of vessels.
Lastly, being built from aluminium adds to the sustainability of the vessel as it is a recyclable material. Oceanus12 is designed to be
durable, meaning fewer replacement ships will have to be built in the long-term and thus, less emissions will be produced.
“Sustainability is a vital factor within the marine industry,” said Mr Ratsey. “We are offering an end-to-end solution not only in terms of the vessel’s abilities, but in terms of environmental impact. Our clients can be confident in the fact that Oceanus12 vessels are designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, and ultimately are recyclable!”
Running a tight ship
“We are unique to the industry as we’re offering a full turnkey package in autonomous vessels,” explained Mr Ratsey. “Oceanus12 will greatly benefit the hydrographic survey market and we’ve already had a lot of positive interest and communication with that particular in-
dustry. The defence sector has also expressed significant interest in what we’re doing and I’m looking forward to seeing how the versatility of Oceanus12 can benefit a variety of markets, as the vessel has been designed to be voyage ‘agnostic’.”
This endeavour from Zero USV brings together the expertise from various sectors through collaboration with partners. The company has been working with previous partners from the Mayflower project as well as new partners as it expands into broader markets.
Hexagon has supplied the Veripos LD900, which is a very accurate GNSS with a high-quality IMU. Zero USV has also been working with Navtech Radar who provided a high definition, low range radar for detecting small objects in the water.
For the electric drives and rechargeable batteries, Zero USV has been collaborating with RAD Propulsion, developing a more sustainable solution to autonomous vessels.
“We chose to work with RAD Propulsion as it has a lot of experience in delivering autonomous solutions,” said Mr Ratsey. “Hexagon, Navtech and all our other partners and suppliers have been essential to our success. These companies have a great knowledge across all areas of the industry, and by combining their expertise, we have been able to develop Oceanus12, a unique and innovative autonomous vessel.”
Zero USV is planning to complete trials in September, before making the vessels available for charter. Next year, it has scheduled to build between eight and 10 further identical vessels and have an operational fleet available for charter on a global basis by the end of 2025. n
