Norco Composites has supported XOCEAN in the development and production of next-generation uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), marking a transition from single-vessel builds to series manufacturing.

The collaboration focuses on scaling production capabilities for composite marine structures used in XOCEAN s survey vessels. According to the companies, the effort is aimed at enabling repeatable manufacturing processes while maintaining structural performance.

XOCEAN s USVs are designed for offshore data collection, including seabed mapping and environmental monitoring. The use of composite materials in these vessels supports lightweight construction, corrosion resistance, and durability in marine environments

Norco s role includes the manufacture of composite structures and the development of production processes that support higher volumes. The shift from prototype to series production requires consistent quality, tooling optimization, and efficient manufacturing workflows.

The milestone also reflects the continued expansion of XOCEAN s fleet. We are very grateful to Norco and Rockabill Marine Design for the expertise they brought to this project across composite manufacturing and naval architecture. The successful delivery of this vessel marks an important step forward for Xocean as we scale our fleet. Following the recent launch of our XO-580 NextGen USV at Oceanology International in London, we look forward to continuing to build out the fleet over the coming months and years, said James Ives, CEO of XOCEAN.

This development reflects the increasing use of composite materials in uncrewed marine systems, particularly as demand grows for scalable and cost-effective solutions in offshore data and survey operations.

Source: NORCO COMPOSITES & GRP