A consortium led by ACUA Ocean, a UK unmanned vessel developer, has received government backing to create a 145-foot uncrewed offshore support vessel. This initiative, part of the Project MROS consortium—which includes Houlder, Ad Hoc Marine Designs, Trident Marine, and the University of Southampton—aims to enhance autonomous operations for offshore energy, logistics, and surveillance. The project, which recently secured funding from the UK Department for Transport, is currently advancing resistance and seakeeping tests at the Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute.
The medium-sized vessel will feature hybrid-electric propulsion and can operate autonomously, remotely, or with a minimal crew. Designers are exploring methanol fuel, along with hydrogen and ammonia options, to optimize efficiency and reduce emissions. The new platform shares design elements with the 14-meter Pioneer-class USV and incorporates a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) design for improved stability in rough seas.
The 43-meter vessel will support various offshore applications, including logistics and subsea inspections, with capabilities such as a 2,500-nautical-mile range and an 80-ton payload capacity. ACUA Ocean plans to unveil additional system-integration partners as they develop mission-specific payloads for both the Pioneer and MROS fleets. Neil Tinmouth, CEO of ACUA Ocean, highlighted the project’s potential to deliver cost-effective solutions for the offshore sector.
