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FERRI and Cellula Robotics create Nautical Reach Systems to revolutionise operations with autonomous maritime platforms
The Canada-based joint venture has been set up to meet a growing need: operating safely in the most demanding, remote and hostile environments, including the Arctic and the seabed.
Industrias FERRI S.A. and Cellula Robotics Ltd have formed Nautical Reach Systems Ltd, a joint venture based on the east coast of Canada that will design and manufacture motion, lifting and operating systems for autonomous vehicles. Its offering will cover intelligent launch and recovery, as well as complex payload handling on uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles.
For naval, coast guard and offshore operators, autonomous platforms working beyond the horizon or far from conventional support need safe and reliable systems to operate at sea. Nautical Reach Systems will design its solutions around the mission, the support vessel and the operating environment, including the most remote and extreme scenarios such as the Arctic and the seabed.
“After more than 60 years designing load-handling systems for navies around the world, we know that the reliability of a piece of equipment depends to a great extent on the thinking that goes into it before it is built.”
“I am especially pleased to be working alongside Cellula Robotics to combine FERRI’s expertise in advanced handling, automation and control systems with Cellula’s autonomous robotics capabilities, and so deliver practical solutions to our customers.”
FERRI brings its expertise in naval engineering and in the design and manufacture of advanced load-handling systems for the defence sector. A trusted supplier to navies around the world, the company develops bespoke solutions tailored to the requirements of each vessel and mission, and currently has equipment installed on hundreds of vessels internationally.
Cellula brings 25 years of subsea engineering and proven performance at sea, with experience in supplying long-endurance underwater systems and in integrating vehicles, payloads and operational support tailored to each mission. Together, the two companies will apply this combined knowledge to engineer the link between support vessels and autonomous platforms.
“This partnership is designed to help shape the future of maritime operations, enabling intelligent, autonomous decision-making in the area of operations.”
“Nautical Reach Systems gives customers a single engineering team that understands the environment both below the surface and on deck. This shared vision means the autonomous vehicle and the handling equipment can be designed together, around how they will be used at sea. I am truly excited about this joint venture and grateful for the commitment and trust FERRI has placed in us.”
Through this joint venture, FERRI will make a multi-million investment in Canada, contributing to the creation of skilled jobs and the development of intellectual property in the country. Cellula, for its part, will contribute its own intellectual property in autonomous handling solutions.
The alliance also brings together FERRI’s established presence in European and international naval markets and Cellula’s growing presence in North America, positioning Nautical Reach Systems to serve customers across multiple regions as demand for autonomous maritime operations grows. The operation also reflects Industrias FERRI’s firm commitment to developing the defence industry in both Spain and Canada.