Blue Water Autonomy unveils 190-foot Liberty Class autonomous ship
The Damen-based vessel targets more than 10,000 nautical miles of range, with construction at Conrad Shipyard planned from March 2026.
Blue Water Autonomy unveiled its Liberty Class on 11 February 2026, a 190-foot steel autonomous ship designed for more than 10,000 nautical miles of range and over 150 metric tonnes of payload. Construction at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana is planned to begin in March, with first-vessel completion targeted later in 2026.
The design adapts Damen’s Stan Patrol 6009 hull and its vertical Axe Bow, while Blue Water has redesigned the internal propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems for extended uncrewed operation. Automated control and fault management are intended to support months-long deployments with limited human intervention. Proposed payloads include sensors, missiles and logistics equipment.
The programme uses Damen’s technical-cooperation licensing model and existing Conrad production infrastructure. Blue Water says the vessel was developed with private capital and more than 100 suppliers. After the first delivery, it targets serial production of 10–20 ships a year.
The ship follows Blue Water’s US$50 million Series A in August 2025, led by GV with Eclipse, Riot and Impatient Ventures participating, bringing disclosed funding to US$64 million. That financing supported the planned first full-sized ship after on-water engineering tests and procurement of long-lead components.