Turnchapel Wharf hosts inaugural Marine Autonomy User Group meeting to shape the future of maritime autonomy in the UK
Operating now, delivering for the future
Turnchapel Wharf, the UK’s home of maritime autonomy, proudly hosted the first Turnchapel Wharf Marine Autonomy User Group meeting on 22 July 2025. This landmark event brought together leading organisations at the forefront of maritime innovation, including Fugro, Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Thales, ACUA Ocean, Zero USV, OSHEN, SeaRegs Training, and Marine AI.
The meeting marked a significant step forward in establishing Turnchapel Wharf as the central hub for collaboration, innovation, and long-term planning in the rapidly evolving field of uncrewed and autonomous maritime systems.
The gathering provided a platform for open dialogue on the current and future needs of the sector, with discussion focused on:
- Infrastructure and facility development to support the next generation of autonomous platforms
- Navigational safety and integration with existing harbour operations
- Regulatory and environmental considerations for operating uncrewed surface vessels (USVs)
- Shared innovation priorities and opportunities for collaboration between organisations
“This first user group meeting signals our collective commitment to advancing the UK’s capabilities in maritime autonomy,” said Ryan Bonney, Manager at Turnchapel Wharf. “Turnchapel Wharf is not just a location – it’s a living testbed and operational base where industry leaders are shaping the future of autonomous maritime technology.”
Each attending organisation contributed valuable insights drawn from operational experience, research and development, and regulatory engagement. Discussions also highlighted the need for ongoing coordination to address challenges such as data sharing, standardisation, and integration with crewed maritime traffic.
Highlighted were the critical importance of infrastructure that supports safe, scalable deployment of autonomous vessels and shared perspectives on integrating new technologies within an active harbour.
The meeting concluded with a joint agreement signed by all parties, establishing a long-term roadmap for the user group and a collective agreement for continued collaboration. Turnchapel Wharf remains committed to enabling innovation through collaboration and will continue to support the UK’s growing maritime autonomy sector.
Press release issued by Yacht Havens Group (22nd July 2025)
Featured image credit: Shaun Roster / Thales
