SeaBot Maritime, a global leader in uncrewed maritime systems training and workforce development, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hefring Marine, an Icelandic pioneer in maritime AI and autonomous systems. This strategic partnership will develop advanced training programs incorporating Hefring’s Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) for high-speed uncrewed surface vessel (USV) operations.
The MoU reflects both companies’ commitment to closing critical skills gaps as high-speed USV operations redefine the demands of maritime navigation and vessel control. While earlier SeaBot Maritime collaborations focused on navigation system integration, this new partnership centres on a transformational domain: intelligent speed and throttle control.
At speeds exceeding 25 knots, high-speed USVs face rapidly shifting dynamic conditions – wave impacts, wind shear, and hydrodynamic forces that challenge traditional operator reflexes. IMAS, Hefring Marine’s advanced AI-driven decision support system, processes real-time sensor data to deliver continuous micro-adjustments to throttle and speed. This enables vessels to maintain optimal safety, stability, and performance in complex environments where human response times alone are no longer sufficient.
“Our collaboration with Hefring Marine is built on the reality that today’s operators must evolve into AI collaborators,” said Gordon Meadow, CEO of SeaBot Maritime. “Working alongside organisations such as Hefring Marine, and as the operational envelope evolves our training to continue to equip maritime professionals to interpret and supervise AI decision-making in real time, transforming how we train for speed, control, and safety.”
The training will provide experienced operators with a new competency framework for working with intelligent systems like IMAS—enabling them to understand system logic, maintain operational oversight, and respond appropriately in the event of edge-case scenarios. SeaBot Maritime’s MCA-recognised USV training reflects a growing industry demand for certified professionals who can operate at the intersection of autonomy, speed, and safety.
“By combining SeaBot Maritime’s training expertise with our IMAS technology, we’re creating a powerful pathway for maritime professionals to master next-generation unmanned systems safely and efficiently, ensuring that platforms and payloads are able to deliver on their missions,” says Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO of Hefring Marine.
As part of the MoU, Hefring Marine will provide access to their Intelligent Marine Assistance System platform, support configuration and integration with simulation environments, and contribute technical insights into training design. SeaBot Maritime will lead the development and delivery of training content, with the option to support Hefring clients with OEM-aligned operational training.
This partnership supports SeaBot Maritime’s broader mission to future-proof the maritime workforce, ensuring that as vessel technologies evolve, so too do the people who work alongside them.
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