Defence Archives - Tuco Marine Group

Introducing the ProZero 8m ISR USV

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:19:54 +0000

ProZero 8M ISR USV – the ultimate solution for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Data Acquisition operations. This state-of-the-art unmanned vessel is specifically designed and expertly crafted to perform complex missions in any marine environment. With custom masts arrays using all of the antennae, radars etc specified by the client, this will be perfect for any and all use case requirements.

Whether you’re monitoring a coastal border, a maritime asset, or conducting survey operations, this vessel is your go-to tool for precise and timely data collection.

ProZero 8m ISR USV is engineered to handle even the most adverse conditions with ease. Its advanced propulsion system, combined with precise manoeuvring capabilities, ensures that it can operate in any type of marine environment, providing a comprehensive view of the surroundings.

Built to last, the ProZero 8m ISR USV is constructed using the latest in composite materials, making it highly durable and low-maintenance. Its sleek and innovative design also allows for customization to meet your specific needs, making it the perfect solution for all your survey operations.

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Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen Visits Tuco Group in Faaborg

admin — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:57:18 +0000

On Friday, August 15, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen visited Tuco Group in Faaborg. The visit centered on the company’s ProZero series of high-speed boats for professional users, with a particular focus on Tuco Group’s extensive experience in developing and operating unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

For the past eight years, Tuco Group has developed and produced USVs at its Faaborg shipyard. The company’s involvement in unmanned technology began through international research and development projects. Notably, Tuco participated in a major international R&D project The ENDURUNS project, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and 16 other global consortium partners. In this project, Tuco was fully responsible for the design, construction, and building of an 8-meter USV, developed for long-duration operations and integrated with underwater drones for seabed mapping.

Since those initial projects, Tuco has commercialized the ProZero USV concept and is now the only Danish manufacturer of unmanned surface vessels, offering market-ready, thoroughly tested solutions with proven performance under demanding offshore conditions.

Recent geopolitical tensions and threats to underwater infrastructure have heightened interest in unmanned technologies that can enhance maritime situational awareness, both above and below the sea surface. USVs also serve as an effective tool for monitoring so-called “shadow fleet ships” passing through Danish waters.

“We are delighted that the Defense Minister took the time from a busy schedule to visit us,” said CEO Jonas Pedersen. “We are confident that we can offer solutions that are both ready for procurement and well-tested, enabling rapid construction and deployment to strengthen Danish security. In this way, we aim to contribute to enhancing Denmark’s defense capabilities, maintaining national production, and creating local jobs.”

The visit concluded with a tour of the shipyard, where the Defense Minister was shown the production of vessels for the Kenya Navy, featuring the unique “Swamp Shark Drives” propulsion system, which enables navigation in challenging environments. The minister also gained insight into the shipyard’s broader production of high-speed workboats.

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Tuco Marine Targets International Growth with Strong Investors and Former Navy Chief on Board

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:25:13 +0000

Significant reinforcement of our Organization and Growth Platform

Tuco Marine, a specialist in the development and production of autonomous vessels and high-speed boats for defense, offshore professionals, and other maritime industries, today announces a significant reinforcement of its organization and growth platform. This comes as Bonnesen Mølby Invest joins as a shareholder, acquiring shares from previous minority owners. The company’s majority ownership remains with founders Jonas Pedersen and Jakob Frost. The new investment brings strong leadership and board-level expertise to Tuco Marine.

Jens Mølby joins as the new Chairman of the Board, bringing extensive business
experience—including his previous role as Director at the Danish Growth Fund—where he gained solid insight into financing and scaling growth companies. Additionally, Lars Bonnesen, co-owner of the international shipping company United Heavy Lift, becomes a shareholder and contributes significant global maritime industry knowledge.

The board is further strengthened by the appointment of Henrik Ryberg, former Commander of the Royal Danish Navy. Ryberg brings operational and strategic experience from the defense sector, most recently leading the Danish Navy’s modernization efforts, international collaboration, and technological advancements. His deep understanding of naval requirements, strategic leadership, and international relations positions him as a key figure in Tuco Marine’s increased focus on the defense sector. His presence ensures that the company’s products and development strategy align with the evolving demands of both national and international defense clients.

At the same time, Tuco Marine continues to build on its strong position in professional offshore workboats and other maritime industries. Strategically, the company maintains a balance between civil and defense markets.

As part of the ownership change, the new investors have also completed a capital increase in Tuco Marine to support its ambitious growth plans. The new funding will be used to develop new products and technologies and to strengthen global sales and marketing efforts. The goal is to enhance Tuco Marine’s international competitiveness and meet increasing demand from both the defense and commercial sectors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bonnesen and Mølby as co-owners,” says Jonas Pedersen, CEO and co-founder of Tuco Marine. “Their investment and experience provide a strong foundation for accelerating our growth—both in new defense projects and within our core business of workboats. At the same time, bringing Henrik Ryberg on board significantly enhances our strategic capabilities in the defense arena. His experience and network give us a unique opportunity to position Tuco Marine even more strongly on the international stage.”

“Tuco Marine has built impressive expertise in lightweight, high-speed vessels and autonomous surface platforms,” says Jens Mølby, new Chairman and investor. “I look forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter. With our combined efforts and additional capital, we can focus on unlocking Tuco Marine’s full potential—both by strengthening our international presence and addressing the growing needs of modern naval forces.”

The post Tuco Marine Targets International Growth with Strong Investors and Former Navy Chief on Board appeared first on Tuco Marine Group.

Expanding our Presence in Africa with ProZero Riverine Vessels for Kenya Navy

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:34:49 +0000

Tuco Marine, with its ProZero vessels, continues its expansion in the African market and has now sold ProZero Riverine vessels to the Kenya Navy. This sale underscores Tuco’s continued commitment to the African maritime sector, following the recent sale of two ProZero vessels to the Ghana Navy.

With this new sale, Tuco expands its presence in East Africa and contributes to the modernization of the Kenya Navy’s fleet. The ProZero Riverine vessels are designed to operate under demanding conditions and meet specific requirements for rapid and efficient operations in both shallow rivers and coastal areas.

Tuco highlights the collaboration with the Danish Embassy in Kenya, the Danish liaison officer to the Kenya Navy, Kjeld Gaard-Frederiksen, and the Danish government’s Peace and Stabilization Fund for their valuable cooperation and support in realizing this project, which positively contributes to increased security in the region.

In September last year, a delegation from the Kenya Navy and Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL) visited Tuco’s shipyard in Faaborg. The visit, arranged by Kjeld Gaard-Frederiksen in collaboration with Danske Maritime, provided the Kenyan representatives with an opportunity to experience Tuco’s facilities and gain insight into the production of the ProZero vessels. During the visit, constructive discussions were held on how the vessels could be tailored to the operational needs of the Kenya Navy.

In December, Tuco traveled to Kenya to visit the Kenya Navy and KSL. Tuco’s CEO, Jonas Pedersen, and international business developer, Magnus Bang, met with the leadership of both organizations to gain a better understanding of the specific requirements and challenges faced by the Kenyan maritime authorities. The visit also provided an opportunity to observe the Kenya Navy’s facilities and discuss how the ProZero Riverine vessels could support their operations, particularly in shallow rivers and coastal areas.

Advanced Propulsion with Swamp Shark Drive

The ProZero Riverine vessels are equipped with the groundbreaking Swamp Shark Drive, an innovative surface drive designed to ensure seamless propulsion in extremely challenging conditions. This enables the Kenya Navy to operate in shallow rivers, mangrove areas, and coastal zones where traditional propulsion systems often fail.

Unlike conventional outboard motors and Z-drive systems, which are easily damaged by floating logs, rocks, sandbanks, or debris, the Swamp Shark Drive is built to absorb shocks without damaging the gearbox or drive system. This technology allows navigation in areas where traditional vessels would be rendered inoperable, providing a tactical advantage in operations that require access to difficult-to-reach waterways.

Strengthening Maritime Security and Cooperation in Africa

The collaboration with the Kenya Navy is an important step in Tuco’s long-term strategy to offer solutions that enhance maritime security in Africa. It supports regional efforts to combat illegal fishing, smuggling, and piracy while contributing to capacity building in the African maritime industry.

With the establishment of ProZero Ghana LTD, Tuco has already built a strong presence in West Africa through local production and technology transfer in collaboration with Ghanaian partners. This new sale to the Kenya Navy demonstrates Tuco’s continued commitment to expanding its partnerships in East Africa and bringing advanced Danish boat technology to new markets.

“We are proud to deliver ProZero vessels to an African navy,” says Jonas Pedersen, CEO of Tuco Yacht Yard. “With Swamp Shark Drive technology and our ProZero vessels, we ensure that our customers get the best possible solution for demanding operations. We look forward to continuing to support the Kenya Navy and other maritime actors in the region with reliable and innovative vessels.”

Tuco Continues Its Growth in Africa

Tuco Marine sees a growing demand for robust, operationally flexible vessels in Africa, where both military and civilian operators require reliable solutions for demanding missions. The sale to the Kenya Navy is part of this development, and Tuco expects further expansion of its activities on the continent.

The post Expanding our Presence in Africa with ProZero Riverine Vessels for Kenya Navy appeared first on Tuco Marine Group.

Exclusive Distributor of Swamp Shark Drives in Europe, Ghana, Kenya, and More

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 08:01:10 +0000

ProZero International, a workboat supplier in the Danish Tuco Marine Group, has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of the innovative American “Swamp Shark Drives propulsion systems” across Europe, West Africa, Kenya, and additional regions. This partnership brings a revolutionary solution to the maritime industry, particularly for operators in challenging environments such as mangrove areas, shallow waters, and debris-filled rivers.

Transforming Marine Propulsion

The Swamp Shark Drive is an advanced surface drive system engineered for seemless performance in demanding conditions. Its robust construction and design delivers reliability and power where conventional propulsion systems fail. Unlike traditional outboard motors or sterndrive systems, which are highly susceptible to damage from submerged obstacles such as logs, rocks, sandbanks, and even ice chunks, the Swamp Shark Drive is built to absorb impacts without compromising the gearbox or propulsion integrity. This means vessels can operate in environments where conventional drives would be torn apart—whether navigating through storm debris, dense vegetation, or shallow waters with unpredictable underwater hazards. This system enables operators to reach remote or otherwise inaccessible areas with confidence, making it ideal for industries such as commercial fishing, defense, and exploration.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Swamp Shark Drives as their exclusive distributor in these key regions,” said Jonas Pedersen, Managing Director of ProZero International. “Swamp Shark Drives’ proven performance ensures operators in mangrove and riverine areas can achieve optimal functionality and reliability and the product aligns well with our commitment to provide best-in-class solutions for all our clients. We are very happy to bring this innovative technology to our customers across these key regions.”

About ProZero International

ProZero International is a trusted leader in the maritime industry, specializing in designing, manufacturing, and distributing advanced marine vessels such as high-speed workboats, patrol boats, and rescue crafts. With a strong focus on innovative hull designs, lightweight materials, and sustainable propulsion systems, ProZero International delivers tailored solutions for clients in sectors ranging from commercial shipping and defense to emergency services and offshore wind operations.

About Swamp Shark Drives

Swamp Shark Drives is a pioneering company dedicated to developing robust and efficient propulsion systems for challenging marine environments. Known for their exceptional engineering and performance, Swamp Shark Drives products are trusted by professionals worldwide.

For more information about ProZero International and Swamp Shark Drives, please visit www.prozero.dk/drives/ and www.swampsharkdrives.com

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Introducing the newest ProZero 7,5m RHIB Boat

admin — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:33:21 +0000

As many of you know, we have very high activity on Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and Defence and Security projects within our ProZero USV series. However, We are thrilled to share that we continue to design and deliver exceptional manned vessels as well.

Today, We are proud to introduce the newest addition to our ProZero series – the ProZero 7.5m RHIB. This video showcases the capabilities of this impressive vessel

The ProZero 7.5m RHIB boasts an extra beam, offering more deck space and unparalleled power with an option for two engines. It’s meticulously designed for high-speed SAR, security, and patrol missions in both coastal and offshore waters.
Key features include:
– Spacious Deck: Enhanced storage space and a 360° walk-around deck with optional extra seating and stretcher positions.
– Superior Comfort: Shock mitigating helmsman seats and a full-sized T-top for protection from the elements.
– High-Performance Hull: Non-stepped, variable deadrise deep V-bottom hull for excellent ride quality and safety in even the most agitated sea states.
– Versatile Layout: Adjustable deck that can transform into mission-specific environments with cargo rails, seating arrangements, and weapon mounts.

At Tuco Marine, we are dedicated to advancing maritime technology while ensuring the highest standards of performance and safety. Whether manned or unmanned, our vessels are built to exceed expectations.

The post Introducing the newest ProZero 7,5m RHIB Boat appeared first on Tuco Marine Group.

Enhancing Offshore Efficiency and Security with Unmanned Surface Vessels

admin — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:53:00 +0000

The maritime industry is continually seeking innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency and security of offshore operations. One such solution that has been gaining significant attention is the use of Unmanned Surface Vessels. These advanced vessels have the potential to revolutionize offshore data collection and monitoring, providing numerous benefits to both commercial and security sectors.

Boosting Efficiency in Offshore Data Collection

USVs can be equipped with cutting-edge technology that allows for precise and comprehensive data collection in offshore environments. Traditional methods of data collection often involve manned vessels, which can be costly, time-consuming, and sometimes hazardous. USVs, on the other hand, can operate continuously without the need for onboard crew, significantly reducing operational costs and minimizing risks to human life.

These vessels can be deployed to collect a wide range of data, including environmental monitoring, hydrographic surveys, and seabed mapping. Their ability to operate in harsh and remote environments makes them ideal for collecting high-quality data in areas that are otherwise difficult to access. Additionally, USVs can be equipped with various sensors and instruments, enabling them to gather detailed and accurate data essential for research and operational planning.

Enhancing Surveillance and Security

In addition to data collection, USVs offer substantial benefits for offshore surveillance and security. They can be utilized to monitor offshore installations, such as oil rigs and wind farms, providing real-time information on potential threats and ensuring the safety of these critical infrastructures. With the ability to patrol large areas autonomously, USVs can detect unauthorized vessels, monitor marine traffic, and even assist in search and rescue operations.

The integration of advanced technologies such as radar, sonar, and optical sensors allows USVs to perform comprehensive surveillance tasks. They can operate in conjunction with other maritime assets, creating a robust network of security measures that enhance the overall safety and security of offshore environments.

Remote-Controlled vs. Autonomous Operations

While the concept of fully autonomous USVs is an exciting prospect, it is important to note that many current USVs are operated remotely rather than autonomously. These remote-controlled vessels are managed by operators who guide their missions from onshore control centers. Despite this, the potential for autonomous operation is significant, and advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are continually pushing the boundaries of what USVs can achieve.

Remote-controlled USVs still offer considerable advantages. They provide flexibility and control to operators, allowing for real-time decision-making and adjustments during missions. As technology evolves, the transition to fully autonomous USVs will likely become more feasible, opening up even greater possibilities for their application.

Commercial Opportunities

The commercial potential for USVs is vast, spanning various industries and applications. In the private sector, USVs can be employed for tasks such as environmental monitoring, underwater inspections, and resource exploration. Their ability to provide cost-effective and efficient data collection solutions makes them an attractive option for businesses looking to optimize their offshore operations.

In the security and military domains, USVs offer strategic advantages for maritime defense and surveillance. They can be deployed to monitor territorial waters, protect critical infrastructures, and support naval operations. The ability to operate without risking human lives makes USVs an invaluable asset in potentially dangerous scenarios.

Conclusion

Unmanned Surface Vessels represent a transformative technology in the maritime industry, offering significant enhancements in offshore data collection, surveillance, and security. While many USVs today are operated remotely, the future holds exciting prospects for fully autonomous operations. The commercial and security opportunities presented by USVs are vast, making them a pivotal element in the advancement of offshore operations. As technology continues to evolve, USVs will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of maritime activities. – Contact us at Tuco Marine / ProZero Workboats to learn more of our range of Unmanned Surface Vessels.

The post Enhancing Offshore Efficiency and Security with Unmanned Surface Vessels appeared first on Tuco Marine Group.

Succesful weekend at the NATO 75 / Action 24 Exhibition

admin — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 10:36:00 +0000

We’re grateful for the enriching experience and very valuable connections made at the Nato 75 / Action 24 exhibition. It’s been a privilege to showcase Tuco Marine’s ProZero – Defense & Law Enforcement Boats amidst this gathering of industry professionals and enthusiasts.

Our team is ready to engage and share insights into our autonomy solutions and fast boats for naval defense, offshore professionals, and ocean business. The interactions and discussions have been invaluable, reaffirming our commitment to advancing maritime technology.

For those who have visited our booth and attended our presentations, thank you for your interest and support.

Experience the future of maritime innovation firsthand and explore the possibilities of unmanned surface vessels.

As we continue through the final day of the exhibition, we extend our best wishes to all participants and organizers Folk & Sikkerhed incl. chairman Torben Ørting Jørgensen . Let’s make the most of this opportunity for learning and collaboration.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making NATO 75 years – Action 24 a memorable event.

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Unmanned Surface Vehicles Redefining Naval Operations

admin — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:06:00 +0000

In a rapidly evolving maritime landscape, the demand for innovative solutions to address pressing security challenges has never been more pronounced. Recent insights from a Verdict poll shed light on the paramount importance of Intelligence Surveillance and Recognition (ISR) missions for Unmanned Surface Vehicles, capturing the attention of global navies and defense entities alike.

The poll’s revelation that 40% of respondents prioritize ISR underscores the critical role USVs can play in bolstering situational awareness and reconnaissance capabilities across naval operations. This resonates with a broader trend observed in the military unmanned vehicles sector, where USVs are increasingly recognized for their cost-effectiveness and reliability.

The versatility of USVs extends far beyond ISR, encompassing domains such as Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Mine Countermeasures (MCM), and hydrographic surveys. Their modular design and payload capacities not only optimize costs but also mitigate human risks, particularly in high-stakes operations like MCM and ASW.

As navies worldwide seek to modernize their fleets and adapt to evolving threats, the demand for USVs continues to surge. The US Navy’s strategic shift towards a distributed fleet architecture underscores the pivotal role unmanned platforms will play in future naval operations.

The market potential for USVs is vast, with applications spanning defense, security, maritime research, and beyond. By harnessing USV capabilities, stakeholders can unlock new opportunities for efficiency, resilience, and security in maritime environments.

In this dynamic landscape, collaboration and innovation are paramount. Companies and organizations across the globe are actively exploring the possibilities offered by USVs, driving advancements in technology and operational capabilities.

As we navigate this transformative era in naval warfare, the spotlight remains firmly on the potential of USVs to reshape the future of maritime operations. By embracing innovation and harnessing the capabilities of unmanned platforms, we can meet the evolving needs of security and defense in the 21st century. From Tuco Marine ApS – ProZero Workboats We are more than ready to take active part in this journey.

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