Unique Group has been awarded the UK Ports Innovation Award 2025, a recognition that underscores the company’s relentless push to redefine subsea robotics and hydrographic surveying. The award, presented at the UK Ports Conference and Awards Ceremony on September 3, 2025, isn’t just a pat on the back—it’s a nod to the company’s bold bet on Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) technology.
The UK Ports Committee didn’t hand this out lightly. They nominated Unique Group for its work deploying the Uni-Mini USV in Western Australia, a project that marked a global first: the commercial use of Norbit’s iWBMS multibeam sonar for shallow-water surveying. This wasn’t just tech for tech’s sake. The Uni-Mini proved it could handle the complexities of real-world marine environments—where waves, currents, and sediment don’t care about project timelines.
But the Uni-Mini didn’t stop at the other side of the world. Earlier this year, it tackled a high-precision bathymetric survey at Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The challenge? Mapping the palace’s lakes without disturbing the delicate ecosystem. The Uni-Mini delivered, proving it’s not just a tool for deep-water surveys but a versatile asset for shallow, environmentally sensitive waters—a growing priority for UK ports, harbors, and coastal infrastructure.
This isn’t just about one vessel or one project. The award reflects a broader shift in the industry. The UK Ports Committee’s decision was backed by feedback from over 15,000 marine and offshore professionals. That’s a lot of voices saying, “This matters.” Unique Group’s work isn’t just innovative—it’s resonating.
The Uni-Mini’s success raises a bigger question: How fast can the industry scale this kind of tech? USVs like the Uni-Mini could redefine surveying, but adoption isn’t just about capability—it’s about trust. Unique Group’s award signals that trust is building. The next step? Getting more ports, operators, and regulators to see USVs not as a novelty, but as a standard tool in the toolbox.
This award isn’t the finish line. It’s a milestone in a much larger race—one that’s reshaping how the maritime world approaches surveying, autonomy, and environmental stewardship.