Hornbeck Offshore strikes partnership with autonomous vessel developer

American OSV owner, Hornbeck Offshore Services (HOS), has reached an agreement with autonomous surface vessel (ASV) developer Saronic Technologies to develop and deploy autonomous platforms, advanced software, and maritime solutions for the offshore energy and maritime defence sectors.

Under the agreement, the parties will pursue commercial solutions to enhance offshore services and energy operations, including pilot projects using Saronic’s 55-m ASV, Marauder. The partnership will also explore how Saronic’s technologies can support Hornbeck’s operational functions – such as voyage planning, fleet management, and predictive maintenance – creating opportunities to streamline workflows, improve safety, and boost efficiency.

The initiative emphasises strict adherence to offshore service industry safety, compliance, and reliability standards, ensuring responsible integration of autonomy in high-risk offshore settings. By combining Hornbeck’s offshore energy and marine transport experience with Saronic’s autonomous systems, the partners want to establish scalable, next-generation services for deepwater offshore energy and maritime defence markets.

Saronic co-founder and chief executive, Dino Mavrookas, said the partnership aims to mitigate risk in the offshore maritime environment. “Our autonomous maritime capabilities can increase the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of offshore operations. Through our partnership with Hornbeck, we will work to responsibly deploy autonomous maritime systems to improve offshore service delivery – advancing energy security, and, in turn, economic and national security.”