One of Zero USV’s Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessels has officially left UK waters following successful trials in Plymouth, bound for Canada, where it will join Leeway Marine’s operational fleet under its new name, ASV Viper.
Renamed and readied for service, Viper marks a significant moment for ZeroUSV as the first vessel to be deployed internationally under its franchise model, and the first step in bringing high-endurance, over-the-horizon uncrewed capability to North America.
The partnership sees Leeway Marine appointed as ZeroUSV’s first international franchisee, with exclusive rights to operate the Oceanus12 in Canada and the wider region on a charter basis.
Designed from the keel up for extended autonomous missions, the Oceanus12 features a hybrid-electric twin propulsion system, advanced autonomy from AI software leaders, Marine AI, and a mission-flexible platform suitable for defence, survey, and border security operations.
ASV Viper will be the first autonomous vessel of its kind in the region, opening new possibilities for persistent maritime operations without crew onboard.
ZeroUSV’s model enables customers to access turnkey autonomous capability through charter, supported by its own Remote Observation Centre (ROC) – reducing complexity , time to deployment, and risk.
Viper is expected to enter operational trials in Canadian waters later this summer.
Matthew Ratsey, founder of ZeroUSV, said: “We’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.
“This is a meaningful step in our global expansion, and one that shows the increasing demand for high-performance, uncrewed platforms that don’t rely on costly ownership models.”
Late last year, the Port of Long Beach announced that its newest heavy-duty vehicle charging depot is fully operational, allowing Class 8 zero-emissions trucks to charge using clean electricity.