Saildrone Secures Danish Registration for European USV Operations

Four Saildrone Voyager unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have officially been registered in Denmark to operate under the Danish flag, establishing the first formal national flag-state framework for Saildrone’s international uncrewed fleet operations.

Developed in close collaboration between Saildrone and the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), the new regulatory framework establishes a formal foundation for the company’s operational integration and fleet expansion across Europe. Saildrone designs its USVs for extreme endurance operations in the open ocean, with mission capabilities spanning maritime domain awareness—such as identifying cross-border crime, illegal migration, and threats to critical infrastructure—as well as hydrographic surveying and environmental monitoring in challenging maritime environments.

“We are pleased that Saildrone has chosen Denmark as the flag state for the company’s uncrewed vessels. This underscores that Denmark, as a leading maritime nation, has both the willingness and the ability to manage and certify future maritime technologies. At the same time, the registration serves as a strong example of the work carried out through the DMA Regulatory Future Lab, where we collaborate with industry to develop safe and practical solutions when new maritime technologies challenge existing regulations. As a regulatory authority, we must create room for innovation, and this is one way we can do so,” said Brian Adrian Wessel, Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority.

“Denmark is one of the world’s great maritime nations, with a reputation for high standards, safety, and professional maritime administration,” said Kim Løye Sørensen, head of business development for Saildrone Europe. “Operating under the Danish flag is a meaningful milestone as we expand our operations in Europe, and we are proud to represent the Danish flag at sea.”

“This is the first time that any Saildrone has achieved formal national flag status. Given the phenomenal seafaring history of the Danes, it’s a huge honor that we are carrying the Danish flag on our Saildrones,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone Founder and CEO. “Going forward, we will continue to work closely with the Danish Maritime Authority to increase our Danish-flagged fleet, with the ambition of having our platform types, including Voyager, Surveyor, and Spectre, operating under the Danish flag in support of our European allies.”