OceanAlpha Introduces L42 USV at Ocean Business 2025, Enhancing Offshore Survey Capabilities

Southampton, UK – April 10, 2025 – OceanAlpha showcased its latest maritime autonomy solution at Ocean Business 2025, presenting the L42 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) during a product launch event. The vessel addresses growing industry needs for efficient offshore data collection through practical innovations in endurance and payload flexibility.

Balanced Performance for Extended Operations
The L42 USV’s hybrid power system provides over 1,500 km of operational range (8 days @ 4 knots), significantly reducing the need for frequent vessel retrieval during large-scale surveys. Enhanced stability from four redundant electric motors allows reliable deployment in diverse sea conditions, from coastal waters to open ocean environments.

Adaptable Payload Integration
Engineered to streamline workflow integration, the platform supports standard survey instruments including multibeam echosounder, towed side-scan sonar, towed magnetometer, sub-bottom profiler, and USBL positioning systems. Its onboard wet-end payload lifters and towing system enable rapid configuration changes between hydrographic mapping, pipeline inspections, and diversified scientific research missions.

Focused on Practical Solutions
During the exhibition, OceanAlpha hosted a launch ceremony to demonstrate the vessel’s operational readiness. “The L42 reflects our user-driven design philosophy,” noted Pinestone Shi, General Manager of OceanAlpha. “By prioritizing field-proven reliability over unnecessary complexity, we aim to help survey teams reduce operational costs while maintaining data quality. The vessel’s balanced specifications make it suitable for multi-day offshore survey projects and environmental baseline studies requiring consistent data collection.”

The first production L42 unit has successfully completed third-party acceptance testing and will be delivered to an African surveying company in April 2025. As the region’s leading adopter of USV technology for professional offshore survey services, the client brings extensive experience in uncrewed marine operations. With this partnership, OceanAlpha anticipates that the L42 will drive significant innovation and efficiency gains in the field, paving the way for enhanced safety, performance, and sustainability in maritime surveys and beyond.