MASSworld.news 🌐The Guide to Autonomous Ships

🌊⚙️ ACUA Ocean Pioneer USV demonstrates Long-Endurance Surveillance                                                                                                                               🚤 ACUA Ocean, a company that develops uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for ocean monitoring and data collection, has its Mk1 USV PIONEER complete a five-day remotely operated offshore demonstration, validating the concept of long-endurance, multi-domain maritime operations. On 22 June 2026, PIONEER departed Turnchapel Wharf and operated continuously for more than 100 hours at sea without physical intervention. The demonstration combined two mission systems operating simultaneously: 🔹 A CommsAudit SPECTRA Super Resolution Direction Finding (SRDF) surveillance system with antenna and receivers installed aboard PIONEER. 🔹 An advanced Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) undertaking hydrographic survey operations. Both systems were integrated, tested, and commissioned within two days, highlighting the versatility of the PIONEER platform. To demonstrate combined land/sea operations, the RF surveillance capability was supplemented by a land-based Electronic Warfare system, Guardian Vantage, provided by Leonardo and deployed on England’s south coast. 📃📷 Source : ACUA Ocean                                                                                                                    #USV #MaritimeTechnology #OceanTech #DefenceTech #MaritimeInnovation #AutonomousVessels #ACUAOcean

⚓International Maritime Organization adopts First Global Code for Autonomous Ships 🌊🚢 The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted and brought into effect the International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code). Effective from 1 July 2026, the Code supports the integration of AI‑enabled and remotely operated ships into global shipping. The Code establishes a goal‑based framework to ensure autonomous ships meet safety, security, and environmental standards equivalent to conventional vessels. It applies to cargo ships and supplements existing IMO instruments, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). 🎤 IMO Secretary Arsenio Dominguez said: “This landmark achievement positions IMO at the forefront of regulating emerging technologies, demonstrating the Organization’s ability to anticipate and shape the future of shipping. It represents a major step forward, enabling innovation while ensuring that safety, accountability and the human element remain at the core of maritime operations.” The MASS Code introduces requirements for design, approval, and operation of autonomous ships, covering navigation, connectivity, remote operations, fire safety, and search and rescue. It emphasizes risk assessment, system design, cybersecurity, and integration of Remote Operations Centres (ROCs). Masters retain overall responsibility for the ship at all times, even if not on board. The Code reflects nearly a decade of international discussions, legal work, and trials. Next steps include: 🔹December 2026: MSC 112 will re‑establish the MASS Working Group for an Experience‑Building Phase. 🔹2028: Development of a mandatory MASS Code, with amendments to SOLAS considered. 🔹By 1 July 2030: IMO is expected to adopt the mandatory Code, scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2032.  📃📷 Source : International Maritime Organization #IMO #MASSCode #MarineAutonomy #MaritimeSafety #AutonomousVessels #GlobalShipping

🚢 Saronic Technologies launches 52‑ft Mirage Autonomous Vessel 🌊🚤 Saronic Technologies has launched its first Mirage, a 52‑ft dual‑use Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV). Mirage joins the 24‑ft Corsair and 180‑ft Marauder as the third flagship platform in the company’s fleet. The vessel moved from design to launch in under a year and has begun on‑water trials at Saronic’s test facility in Galveston, Texas. Work on the next hull is already underway at the company’s Austin headquarters. 🎤 Dino Mavrookas, Co‑founder and CEO of Saronic, said: “We launched our first Marauder four weeks ago, and today we’re putting another vessel in the water. This cadence is what our production model was built to deliver. With Corsair, Mirage, and Marauder now in full production simultaneously, we are delivering a full family of autonomous surface vessels at the speed and scale that makes real adoption possible.” Mirage extends the reach of manned and unmanned teams across maritime operations. It has a top speed of 35+ knots, a range exceeding 2,500 nautical miles, and a payload capacity of 3,500 pounds — more than double the range and payload of Corsair. Operating autonomously or under remote supervision through Saronic’s Echelon command‑and‑control platform, Mirage supports missions including maritime domain awareness, security, and detection.  📃📷 Source : Saronic Technologies #AutonomousVessels #MarineAutonomy #MaritimeInnovation #RemoteOperations #DefenceTech #Saronic #FleetExpansion

🚢 What does the future of maritime technology look like? 🎙️ Join Sasha H., UK Director of MASSworld.news 🌐The Guide to Autonomous Ships, as she speaks with Samuel Gee, Conference Director of the Advanced Maritime Technology Conference 2026. ⚡ From electrification and autonomous vessels to smart ports and infrastructure investment, discover why this event is becoming a must-attend gathering for maritime innovators worldwide ▶️ Watch the full interview here : https://lnkd.in/dEScNh6S #MaritimeTechnology #AutonomousShipping #SmartPorts #MaritimeInnovation #AdvancedMaritimeTechnology #AMTC2026 #MASSworld

🌊 Charting the Future of Maritime Innovation  🚢 MASSworld.news 🌐The Guide to Autonomous Ships is delighted to announce its partnership with the Advanced Maritime Technology Expo & Conference (AMTE) 2026 as an Official Media Partner. ⚓ Advanced Maritime Technology Expo & Conference is the new identity of two of the maritime industry's most respected events — the Autonomous Ship Expo & Conference and the Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo. This next-generation platform brings together the brightest minds and most innovative organizations shaping the future of maritime technology. 🚤 From Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and remote operations to AI-driven navigation, vessel automation, digitalization, and next-generation marine technologies, AMTE is where the future of shipping takes shape. 📅 16–18 June 2026 📍 RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands 🎯 The MASS-focused programme alone features an outstanding lineup of industry leaders, innovators, regulators, and technology pioneers, including: 🔹 James Fanshawe – UK MAS Regulatory Working Group 🔹 Dr Beatriz Canamary – SuRe Strategy Group / ZESTA 🔹 Richard Purser – IMCA 🔹 Marek Narewski – Polish Register of Shipping 🔹 Sean T. Pribyl – Holland & Knight LLP 🔹 Jonathan Williams – MSE International 🔹 Marko Rahikainen – One Sea Association 🔹 Roger Trinterud – Massterly 🔹 Thierry Verduijn – Port of Rotterdam 🔹 Jovana Jovanova – TU Delft 🔹 Maartje Janszen – Rotterdam School of Management 🔹 Florian Gschwandtner – Argonics 🔹 Makoto Ito – ClassNK 🔹 Tomoaki Yamada – ClassNK 🔹 Carlos Barrera – PLOCAN 🔹 Koen Houweling – DNV 🔹 Masanori Muto – Mitsubishi Research Institute 🔹 Frank Jensen – Maritime Institute of Technology 🔹 Aranya Mitra – MarineAI 🔹 Koh Murata – Tsuneishi Solutions 🔹 Nigel Lee – Robosys Automation 📢 We look forward to connecting with shipowners, technology providers, regulators, researchers, innovators, and industry leaders while bringing our global audience exclusive news, insights, interviews, and highlights from one of the most anticipated maritime technology events of the year. 🌐 Stay tuned as we cover the latest developments in autonomous shipping and maritime innovation. See you in Amsterdam! 🇳🇱 #AMTE2026 #MASSworldNews #AutonomousShipping #MASS #MaritimeAutonomy #AutonomousVessels #SmartShipping #MaritimeInnovation #MaritimeAI #MarineTechnology #DigitalShipping #FutureOfShipping #RemoteOperations #USV #SmartShips

⚓ SeaBot Maritime aligns Remote Operator Training with MGN 703 in Plymouth 🚢 SeaBot Maritime, a provider of maritime learning solutions for uncrewed and remote operations, has had its MASS Remote Operator Training Course assessed and recognised against MGN 703 guidance by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The assessment was carried out during delivery at the University of Plymouth’s Marine Station. SeaBot Maritime first received MCA voluntary recognition in 2022. This latest step confirms alignment with updated guidance, ensuring training meets industry needs. The Plymouth course provides training in a practical environment supported by an active port and marine technology organisations. MGN 703 sets competence requirements for remote operators of autonomous vessels, reinforcing consistent standards for safe operations. SeaBot’s programme translates maritime experience into skills for remote vessel operations. Delivered through scenario‑based exercises, it focuses on vessel control, awareness, and decision‑making. The training is relevant for professionals moving into remote operations and organisations building capability. Since 2022, SeaBot has trained UK and international delegates across defence, offshore energy, ports, and government organisations. Aligning delivery with MGN 703 supports safe adoption of remote and autonomous vessel operations worldwide. 🎤 Gordon Meadow CMarTech FIMarEST, CEO of SeaBot Maritime, said: “Remote and autonomous maritime operations are no longer on the horizon they are already shaping how parts of the industry operate today, and that shift is only accelerating. As these technologies continue to be adopted at pace, the implementation of standards that supports training and competence is crucial in ensuring safe and consistent operations. Aligning our training with MGN 703 is an exciting and important step in supporting that transition, helping ensure operators are equipped with the vocational skills and competence needed to work effectively as remote and autonomous professionals.” 🎤 Chris Fogwill, Executive Dean for Science and Engineering at the University of Plymouth, added: “This alignment is further evidence of how the world of marine autonomy is advancing at pace and with clear intent, to service important agendas, including our national and international security. Bringing together these standards ensures that SeaBot Maritime are delivering the highest quality, most up‑to‑date training possible, at our University’s state‑of‑the‑art Marine Station. It also reinforces Plymouth’s position as the prime destination for anyone seeking to further their learning in this space.” 📃📷 Source : SeaBot Maritime #MaritimeTraining #MarineAutonomy #RemoteOperations #AutonomousVessels #MaritimeSafety #WorkforceDevelopment #DefenceTech #InnovationAtSea #MGN703 #SeaBotMaritime #UniversityOfPlymouth

🆕 52m Saildrone Spectre USV unveiled 🎯 Saildrone, US-based USV developer for both civil and navy, has recently announced its newest platform, Spectre, a 52 meters long vehicle, weighing 250 tonnes, capable of up to 30 knots and holding American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Approval in Principle (AIP) for Spectre, which complies with High Speed Naval Craft certification. 🎤 “Spectre is the result of 25 years of continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. A unique design evolved through the hard lessons of operational experience in the real world,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone’s founder and CEO. ⚙ Spectre leverages wind, solar, and diesel propulsion. It runs twin shaftlines with dual electric and diesel propulsion, enabling near-silent electric propulsion up to 12 knots, before kicking in 5,000 horsepower of Caterpillar Inc. diesel engines to propel the vessel up to 27 knots with full fuel and a 25-ton payload. Cruising at 25 knots with a 25-ton payload, Spectre has a range of 3,280 nautical miles in flat water and 2,790 nm range in Sea State 4. The concealed payload deck provides room for containerized payloads, ranging from dual 40-foot containers, up to five 20-foot containers, or a mixture of configurations in between. Spectre’s maximum payload capacity is over 70 tonnes. Spectre has two variants depending on customer requirements:  🔹 Spectre Silent Endurance features the Saildrone Wing, optimized for ASW and other acoustically sensitive mission sets.  🔹 Spectre Stealth Strike, leveraging a wingless configuration, designed to operate at higher sprint speeds and low-profile stealth operations. Spectre performance is not just theoretical; it has been verified and tested at FORCE Technology tow tank in Copenhagen, Denmark. Saildrone and Lockheed Martin will integrate numerous payloads as part of a $50 million strategic partnership signed in October 2025. These include the Mk70 VLS launcher, active and passive ASW arrays such as the TB29 thin-linned towed array, and electronic warfare systems. Saildrone is also working with Thales to integrate the Combined Active Passive Towed Array Sonar-4 (CAPTAS) Variable Depth Sonar on Spectre. Fincantieri Marine Group (US subsidiary of FINCANTIERI) will build the aluminum hull form for both variants of Saildrone Spectre at its Wisconsin system of shipyards, which has the capacity to build five Spectre vessels per year. The 43-meter (140-foot) composite Saildrone Wing will be manufactured by American Magic Services (AMS) at the American Magic High Performance Center in Pensacola, Florida. Construction of USV will begin shortly, with the first vessel undergoing sea trials in early 2027. 📃📷 Source: Saildrone #saildrone #usnavy #usv #navy #madeinusa #maritimeautonomy #hybrid

📣 OpenBridge open-source code officially released with attendance of Norwegian Crown Prince 🎯 In a move set to transform the global maritime sector, the Norwegian Royal HRH Crown Prince Haakon and Prince Sverre Magnus officially launched a comprehensive open-source code library for OpenBridge design system. This design system is engineered to create safer and more efficient workplaces across the international fleet by standardizing how humans interact with maritime technology. The royal launch marks the transition of OpenBridge from a design guideline to an open-source ready-to-use code library. The project has now released 200 fully coded web components on GitHub. These "building blocks" are available for free to developers and designers worldwide, dramatically reducing the cost and time required to develop safety-critical maritime software. The impact of the system is already visible worldwide. Even prior to the code launch, OpenBridge design files were downloaded over 7,000 times, with the highest activity recorded in major maritime nations including Norway, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Germany. 🤝 OpenBridge is backed by over 40 international partners across industry and academia, including KONGSBERG, Maritime Robotics AS, Norwegian Electric Systems (NES), SEAM, argonics, Beijer Electronics, Jotron SKIPPER AS, Lilaas AS, Tritek Power & Automation, MAHI, North Invent and others. 🎤 "The goal is to establish a global standard for user-centered maritime design," says Kjetil Nordby, Professor and leader of the Ocean Industries Concept Lab. "By offering ready-made code, we are making it significantly cheaper and easier for any vendor to implement high-quality, safety-standardized designs. We hope this will accelerate the rollout of safer workstations across the entire world fleet." 🎤 The KONGSBERG Group stands out as one of the most important partners and contributors to the open innovation initiative, OpenBridge. Speaking to the assembly prior to the launch, Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG Group, emphasized the industry-wide significance of the project: "Open design and open innovation are absolutely essential for the industry as a whole to develop the best and safest solutions more rapidly. This is standardization that benefits everyone. From those developing new innovations to maritime users worldwide.” 🎤 Kongsberg Maritime President Lisa Edvardsen Haugan says: "The future is all about technological innovation and collaboration. In this regard, OpenBridge plays a pivotal role as the leading open design system for advanced maritime workstations," says Haugan. 📃📷 Source: Ocean Industries Concept Lab #opensource #maritime #openbridge #safetyatsea #github #madeinnorway 

💰⚓ Zeabuz AS Secures NOK 40 Million Funding Led by Grieg Kapital 🚤 Zeabuz AS, a Norwegian company developing autonomous maritime solutions for civilian and defence applications, has secured NOK 40 million in a funding round led by Grieg Kapital AS, with participation from Eitzen Group AS, Barclay Holding AS, and existing shareholders. As part of the transaction, Eirik Barclay, owner of Barclay Holdings AS, will join Zeabuz as Executive Chair. The new capital will be used to expand the organisation, strengthen delivery capacity, and support deployments across international markets. 🎤 Oyvind Smogeli, CEO & Co‑Founder of Zeabuz, said: “This investment comes at a defining moment for Zeabuz. We are seeing a clear shift from pilot projects to full‑scale deployment across both commercial and defence applications. This funding enables us to scale in line with growing demand from partners who are now ready to move into operational use of autonomous systems.” Grieg Kapital AS, as lead investor, brings maritime and industrial expertise and will play an active role in supporting Zeabuz’s growth. 🎤 Magnus Sørensen Ullereng of Grieg Kapital said: “We are proud to lead this round alongside Eitzen and a strong group of co‑investors, and we look forward to supporting Zeabuz as they scale. The company has demonstrated an ability to move from technology development to real‑world deployment.” 🎤 Fridtjof Camillo Eitzen of Eitzen AS commented: “At Eitzen, we have made a clear strategic commitment to electrification and autonomous vessel operations — two technologies we believe will drive a step‑change in how ships are designed and operated. Zeabuz is among the few companies at the forefront of this development, and this investment reflects our strong conviction in their ability to lead the transition.” 🎤 Eirik Barclay, incoming Executive Chair, added: “Zeabuz is entering a pivotal phase where proven technology meets accelerating market demand. What stands out is the company’s ability to translate autonomy into scalable, real‑world operations. This capital raise strengthens the foundation for disciplined growth. I look forward to working closely with the team and Board to scale the company internationally, strengthen governance, and support the next phase of commercial expansion.”    📃📷 Source : Zeabuz AS #Zeabuz #GriegKapital #AutonomousFerries #MaritimeTech #CleanShipping #UrbanMobility #AutonomousVessels #FundingNews #NorwegianStartup #FutureOfTransport

🚤 Exail to deliver second Drix O-16 USV to OMS Group 🎯 OMS Group, marine cable laying services provider, and Exail, France-based developer of maritime systems, announced the acquisition of a second Exail DriX O-16 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), accelerating OMS Group’s deployment of autonomous survey capabilities to support the growing demand for subsea cable infrastructure worldwide. The first DriX O-16, purchased last year and to be named USV Elite, is scheduled to be launched in mid-2026. Together, the two vessels will support subsea cable installation campaigns globally, performing seabed surveys, route verification, and monitoring for critical telecommunications cable infrastructure. ⚙ With an operational endurance of up to 30 days and a range of approximately 3,500 nautical miles, the DriX O-16 is designed to support long-duration survey missions with minimal reliance on crewed vessels. The platform also accommodates advanced survey sensors, including the Kongsberg Discovery EM124 multibeam echo sounder, enabling precise, high-resolution seabed mapping required for large-scale subsea infrastructure projects. “As global demand for subsea digital infrastructure continues to grow, advanced survey capability has become increasingly important. The deployment of the DriX O-16 strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality seabed data with greater safety, lower emissions, and improved operational resilience, particularly for long-duration and remote offshore missions." - commented Ronnie Lim, Group Chief Executive Officer of OMS Group. The DriX O-16 will be integrated into OMS Group’s expanding survey ecosystem, alongside the planned deployment of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and the establishment of a Remote Operation Centre (ROC) in Singapore, enabling remote supervision, real-time data validation, and coordinated multi-vehicle operations.      “The subsea cable market is expanding rapidly, driven by global connectivity needs. Our DriX O-16, equipped with an EM124 multibeam echo sounder, provides cable-laying operators with the endurance and seabed coverage required to support complex installation campaigns. The use of USVs can reduce the survey carbon footprint by up to 99%, decrease human exposure at sea, and offer greater operational flexibility while maintaining high data quality." - commented olivier CERVANTES, VP Maritime Autonomy Solutions at Exail. 📃📷 Source: Exail #drix #cablelaying #subseacable #hydrospatial #survey #usv #exail #multibeam #carbonfootprint