A major milestone in autonomous maritime operations is underway as the Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel leaves UK waters for Canada. Now renamed ASV Viper, the vessel is en route to join the operational fleet of Halifax-based Leeway Marine.
The ASV Viper marks the first international deployment for ZeroUSV, and it’s a big step for the company’s global franchise model. Leeway Marine becomes ZeroUSV’s first international franchisee, with exclusive rights to operate the Oceanus12 across Canada and the surrounding region.
Built specifically for long-range, crew-free missions, the Oceanus12 combines hybrid-electric propulsion with smart autonomy developed by Marine AI. Its modular platform is built for a range of missions such as defence, offshore surveys, and border patrol among them.
Matthew Ratsey, founder, ZeroUSV commented that they’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.
Leeway Marine, one of Canada’s largest offshore operators, is known for its work in defence and survey sectors. The ASV Viper will be the first vessel of its kind in Canadian waters, expanding the potential for persistent, autonomous maritime operations.
ZeroUSV supports its vessels through a dedicated Remote Observation Centre (ROC), providing turnkey capability to franchise partners. This setup helps reduce complexity and risk while speeding up deployment timelines.
The ASV Viper is expected to begin operational trials in Canadian waters later this summer.
