Strategic Partnership Formed to Scale UK Autonomous Vessel Production

ZeroUSV has made a strategic investment in the multidisciplinary shipyard Manor Marine to accelerate the production of its high-tech, British-built Oceanus class autonomous vessels.

The new partnership establishes ZeroUSV as a shareholder in Manor Marine, providing the designer and manufacturer with guaranteed production capacity to scale the delivery of its uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). Operations will continue to be centered at Manor Marine’s base in Portland, Dorset, with the potential for additional manufacturing space to be added from Autumn 2027 to accommodate a growing pipeline of new builds.

This collaboration enhances domestic production capabilities while securing long-term business for the shipyard. The move aligns with objectives set by the National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) to support state-of-the-art UK shipbuilding projects and generate economic benefits for the South West region. Low carbon autonomous craft have been identified by the NSO as a core growth area within the UK maritime market. Strengthening this supply chain supports the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy and creates opportunities for exporting homegrown innovation.

Rod Paterson, CEO of the National Shipbuilding Office, said, “Having visited both Zero USV and Manor Marine, and many other brilliant British SMEs, I am hugely impressed by their innovation, agility and craftmanship. The development enhances our sovereign capability, drives local economic growth and skills, offers future export potential and is being developed at pace. This is all critical to our Defence Industrial Strategy, our future Hybrid Navy ambitions and the NSO Shipbuilding and Maritime Technology Action Plan.”

The Oceanus class vessels are fully robotic, low carbon platforms designed for ‘over-the-horizon’ missions. They feature large payload capacities and customizable designs, serving as versatile tools for critical maritime operations, including defence. Manor Marine has served as a construction partner for ZeroUSV over the last two years, outfitting the four Oceanus12 vessels currently in operational service.

Work is now underway on the first Oceanus17 class, a larger 17-metre platform utilizing the engineering proven in the Oceanus12 model. This new vessel is scheduled for delivery in early July this year. The shipyard’s location at the gated, ISPS-compliant Portland Port provides the robust security required for construction involving defence applications.

Matthew Ratsey, Co-founder and Managing Director of ZeroUSV, commented, “From the outset Manor Marine have proven to be a key partner in delivering the world-class Oceanus12 USV which the 17 is now building on. The investment we are making today is a recognition of that, and a serious statement of intent which will guarantee production capacity, and allow ZeroUSV to continue to scale at an aggressive pace which the market demands. This will be a direct boost to the UK’s sovereign shipbuilding capability and local economic opportunities in the South West.”

The integration is expected to accelerate the design, engineering, and build phases for the Oceanus fleet, providing increased agility in the delivery of these autonomous craft.

Tom O’Neill, Operations Director, Manor Marine, added, “Autonomous vessels represent a new frontier for critical maritime operations supporting defence and energy security objectives, and it’s important that the UK capitalises on its growing reputation in this space. We’re proud that ZeroUSV has made the transition from client to strategic investor; this says a great deal about the trust that our teams have cultivated in the delivery of the fleet to date and sets us up perfectly for deeper collaboration in future.”