Maidenfleet FAQ

 

​1. What is Maidenfleet and what is its mission? 

Maidenfleet is a New Zealand-based maritime technology company developing the first of its kind dual-use USV for efficient and sustainable seafood harvesting + maritime domain awareness.
Our mission is to transform the way the oceans are harvested and protected, delivering high value commercial returns while restoring marine ecosystems and strengthening sovereign maritime security.

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2. What does “dual-use” mean in this context? 

In our case, dual-use means each vessel is designed to perform two primary roles:

1. Sustainable commercial fishing using our MK1 Harvest System.

2. Continuous maritime surveillance to protect Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other unlawful activities.

Both roles can be carried out concurrently from the same platform without reconfiguration.

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3. What is the MK1 Harvest System?

The MK1 Harvest System is the breakthrough that enables fully autonomous fishing operations, removing the need for onboard crew and unlocking a step change in industry margins and efficiency.

AI-driven and using hook and line as opposed to nets, it delivers selective harvesting with minimal environmental impact, while eliminating the costs, risks, and inefficiencies of traditional fishing.

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4. How autonomous are your vessels?

Our USV's are designed to operate fully unmanned from launch to landing, monitored remotely through a secure control platform.
Onboard AI and machine learning systems handle navigation, catch operations, surveillance, and reporting, while human operators in the loop maintain oversight and can intervene if and when needed.

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5. How does Maidenfleet contribute to sustainability?

Maidenfleet promotes sustainable fishing by replacing high impact methods with precision, low-impact harvesting. Our MK1 Harvest System uses hook and line methods and AI to identify species and size, allowing undersized or non-target fish to be released before they board the vessel, helping protect stocks and biodiversity. Operators can also harvest only what is needed to meet demand, reducing waste and aligning effort with market needs. Our vessels are designed for efficiency, with a roadmap toward hybrid, electric, and hydrogen propulsion.

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6. What are the advantages over traditional fishing vessels? 

• No onboard crew – lower operating costs and improved safety.

• Selective harvesting – reduced bycatch and habitat damage.

• 24/7 operational capacity – no downtime for crew rest.

• Integrated surveillance – vessels double as patrol assets.

• Lower emissions – optimised for cleaner propulsion systems.

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7. How can Maidenfleet's vessels be used for maritime security?

Each Maidenfleet vessel is equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and analytics to detect and track vessels operating illegally in EEZs around the globe.
They can stream live intelligence to authorities, enabling faster enforcement actions and a stronger sovereign maritime presence.

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8. What is the Maidenfleet Ocean Intelligence platform? 

Ocean Intelligence is our integrated software platform that powers both our fishing and surveillance operations.
It combines real-time environmental data, vessel tracking, AI catch analysis, and mission planning into one unified control system, accessible anywhere in the world.

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9. Where is Maidenfleet based ?

We are headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand. Australasia’s largest fishing port and a hub for maritime innovation. This location provides direct access to essential industry services, a skilled workforce, and ideal testing waters. New Zealand also offers the world’s fourth largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), providing ample space to operate, refine, and battle test our developments.

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13. Can existing fleets integrate our technology?

The MK1 Harvest System is purpose built for Maidenfleet’s autonomous vessel platform and is not designed to be retrofitted into existing crewed vessels. While technical integration is possible, it would not deliver the full economic, safety, or operational benefits of our unmanned model, as a conventional crew would still be required on board a retro-fitted vessel.

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12. Is Maidenfleet raising investment?

Yes. We are currently engaging with strategic investors, industry partners, and defence agencies.
We offer a structured, milestone driven roadmap that progressively removes technical and market risk, building enterprise value along the way.

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