USV Over-the-Horizon Survey Capabilities Demonstrated in Malaysia

OceanAlpha’s L25 marine unmanned surface vehicle (USV) has successfully completed its first public demonstration in Malaysia.

The demonstration, which took place at Port Klang in late June, was attended by over 60 maritime industry leaders and showcased the L25 USV’s advanced marine survey capabilities in real-world conditions, marking a significant step forward for autonomous survey operations in the region.

The L25 USV directly addresses a critical constraint for offshore marine surveys, which is that crew dependence and costly support vessels are typically required for operations beyond line-of-sight (LOS) control range. By successfully conducting a survey mission 33 kilometers offshore while maintaining continuous, stable satellite communications and real-time payload data transmission, the L25 validated reliable Over-the-Horizon (OTH) capability essential for large-scale or remote survey areas.

In the congested waters of Port Klang, the vessel’s advanced perception systems enabled autonomous navigation around moored vessels while dynamically adjusting course to maintain safe distances from high-speed marine traffic. The L25’s integrated automated towfish system demonstrated seamless deployment and retrieval of side-scan sonar equipment, eliminating traditional manual winching requirements and reducing operational risks.

The event also highlighted the L25’s ability to transmit multibeam, side-scan, and sub-bottom profiler data in real time, allowing survey teams to conduct immediate quality control and mission adjustments from shore. This capability significantly reduces decision-making timelines for marine survey operations.

The demonstration was made possible through collaboration with key industry partners, including the Malaysian Maritime Department, which facilitated operational approvals. Tara Advisory co-hosted the event, leveraging its expertise in autonomous systems to ensure practical validation of the L25’s capabilities. Technical partners including TA Geosolutions, Hidrokinetik Technologies, and Clockwise Subsea (NOR Offshore Rental) contributed specialized equipment and regional operational expertise.

Speaking of the demonstration Pinestone Shi, General Manager of OceanAlpha, commented, “Following the successful demonstration of our L25 in Dubai this May, we are pleased to bring another L25 USV to Southeast Asia and validate how OceanAlpha’s autonomous solutions address critical survey pain points. Looking ahead, we will continue to promote our unmanned surface vessel products and comprehensive solutions worldwide, empowering the marine survey industry to achieve safer, more efficient, and cost-effective operations.“

With the L25 USV platform now operational in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, OceanAlpha invites interested parties to inquire about technical specifications, demonstration footage, or potential applications. The company continues to work with regional partners to advance autonomous marine survey solutions.