The Pacific 2012 International Maritime Exposition at Darling Harbour will see the prototype launch of the world-first Unmanned Ocean Vessel (UOV) to be totally powered by renewable wind and solar energy together.

 

NSW companies Solar Sailor and Forgacs Engineering are combining their renewable technology and shipbuilding expertise to design, prototype, build and market this new vessel which is expected to be a global game-changer in UOV markets.

 

It will provide national governments and other users with an unmanned vessel that can potentially spend an unlimited amount of time at sea using only wind and solar energy.

 

This will offer opportunities in a range of potential areas - from coastal surveillance, national security and military applications to scientific, weather and oceanography monitoring.

 

International naval and business leaders are converging on Sydney from 31 January to 3 February for Pacific 2012, a key Asia Pacific maritime defence expo.

 

It attracts key industry, defence and government decision-makers from Australia, Asia Pacific and the world, including high level naval representatives from over 30 countries.

 

The NSW Government is sponsoring the expo through NSW Trade & Investment which us using it to promote NSW strengths and industrial capabilities, and promote NSW as a defence and maritime business and investment location.