Unique Group, a subsea technologies and engineering provider, won the UK Ports Innovation Award 2025 at the UK Ports Conference and Awards Ceremony on September 3
The UK Ports Committee nominated Unique Group for the award in recognition of its advancements in subsea robotics and hydrographic surveying, highlighting the company's deployment of the Uni-Mini Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) in Western Australia- the first commercial project to use the Norbit iWBMS multibeam sonar for shallow-water survey applications.
Earlier this year, Unique Group deployed the Uni-Mini at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, UK, to carry out bathymetric surveying across the UNESCO World Heritage Site's lakes.
Unique Group was shortlisted and awarded the title in the Outstanding Innovation in Subsea Robotics & Surveying category following a nomination by the committee, feedback from 15,000 users and members of the marine and offshore sector, and a polling process.
The Uni-Mini USV was developed by Unique Group's in-house Research and Development team. It is fully electric and has been deployed on projects in Australia, the USA, the UK, and the Middle East for applications such as environmental monitoring, hydrographic surveys, seabed mapping, coastal surveys, and harbour monitoring projects.
Jack Dougherty, global head of USVs at Unique Group, said: “This award is not just a milestone for our Uni-Mini but a recognition of the entire team’s dedication to driving sustainable, high-performance solutions in subsea surveying. We are proud to see our technology setting new standards in subsea surveying while advancing safer, smarter, and more sustainable offshore operations.”
