Hilco is seeking offers to acquire the intellectual property assets of Jospa Limited (In Liquidation) (“JOSPA” or the “Company”) on behalf of the Liquidator of the Company, Shane McAleer of McAleer Gibney Chartered Accountants Ltd.
Founded in 2008, JOSPA initially focused on the exploration and development of wave energy conversion systems (WECs). In 2019, the Company pivoted to the development of proprietary wave-powered propulsion systems for autonomous maritime platforms, leading to the creation of the OR-CA (Orbital Robotics – Clean Automation) system. The Company was established by experienced engineers and marine-technology specialists to address structural limitations in existing unmanned surface vessel systems, where endurance, logistics requirements, and operating costs restrict deployment in remote or long-term missions.
The Company’s OR-CA platform is a wave-propelled autonomous surface system engineered to harvest energy directly from the kinetic motion of ocean waves, supplemented by solar power, to enable continuous propulsion without onboard fuel or large battery systems. JOSPA’s platform offers a sustainable, mechanically robust alternative to hybrid or diesel-powered vessel systems, targeting applications where persistent, low-signature maritime presence and long-duration deployment are critical, particularly in support of passive ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and maritime domain awareness missions.
At the core of OR-CA is a patented wave-energy propulsion architecture that exploits the natural orbital motion of water particles beneath passing waves. Specialised submerged propulsion blades convert this motion into continuous thrust, enabling manoeuvrability, dynamic position holding and propulsion both with and against wave direction, reducing logistical complexity and operating expenditure while enabling deployments measured in months rather than days or weeks.
Since inception, the Company invested substantially in engineering design, system integration, and validation activity, progressing through staged concept development, scaled testing and subsystem trials. A TRL-4 validated prototype incorporating multiple propulsion and steering modules has been constructed and tested, providing a practical demonstration of the propulsion concept. Alongside hardware development, the Company assembled a comprehensive body of technical documentation, CAD designs, test data, and supporting know-how to facilitate further commercialisation.
JOSPA pursued engagements with strategic and industrial counterparties, particularly within the defence, maritime security, and offshore sectors. Through its UK subsidiary, JOSPA Ocean Solutions Ltd, the Company established a defence-facing presence and engaged with organisations including the UK Ministry of Defence, Thales and Serco to support collaborative development, pilot deployments, and early commercial opportunities.
This acquisition represents an opportunity to secure granted patents and patent applications, validated prototype hardware, technical documentation, engineering know-how, providing a foundation for a purchaser to accelerate commercial deployment, integrate the technology into existing unmanned or offshore service offerings, or advance persistent ocean monitoring, surveillance and offshore energy support solutions within rapidly growing global markets.
JOSPA has established itself as a highly specialised and technically credible developer within the autonomous maritime and ocean-technology sector.
The brand’s credibility has been demonstrated through progressive prototype development, subsystem validation and structured technical disclosure, together with an active engagement with defence and maritime stakeholders, holding relationships with organisations including the UK Ministry of Defence, Thales and Serco. These engagements, combined with demonstrator testing and technical presentations, have supported the brand’s recognition within specialist maritime, offshore, and defence innovation communities.
JOSPA has also benefited from visibility across industry forums, with the brand having featured in media pieces from the likes of Offshore-Energy.biz and MaritimeJournal.com. The brand also previously won the IMERC Innovator of the Year Award, showing recognition within the marine renewable energy community.
For an acquirer, the JOSPA brand offers a recognised and credible identity within a niche but rapidly growing segment of the maritime autonomy and ocean-monitoring market.
The Company likely holds rights in unregistered trade marks protecting the “JOSPA” brand name and logos.
JOSPA holds a portfolio of patent families focused on wave-powered autonomous surface vessel technology, covering the core propulsion principles, mechanical configurations, and system-level control architecture underpinning its proprietary zero-emission maritime platform, comprising three patent families, including two granted patents and one application in late-stage examination.
The Company’s patents centre on the direct conversion of ocean wave orbital motion into continuous propulsion thrust, with filings addressing propulsion blade geometry, modular propulsion assemblies, energy harvesting mechanics, and integrated system architecture required to enable long-duration, fuel-free autonomous operation. Collectively, the Company’s portfolio provides protection around its distinctive approach to persistent, low-cost maritime deployment without reliance on fossil fuels or conventional battery-based propulsion and support the commercial differentiation of the OR-CA platform relative to traditional diesel, hybrid or battery-dependent unmanned surface vessels.
Full details on the Company’s patents are available via a virtual data room.
JOSPA has developed a substantial body of proprietary organisational know-how embodied in its engineering designs, prototype configurations, technical documentation, and system architecture materials supporting the OR-CA autonomous maritime platform. The Company’s records include a comprehensive suite of technical design files, CAD models, engineering drawings, test reports, control logic documentation and subsystem validation data covering the propulsion modules, steering systems, energy harvesting mechanisms and overall vessel architecture underpinning the technology, all of which are available to acquire.
The Company holds the josusv.com and jospaoceansolutions.com domain names, which are available to acquire.
The Company likely owns the copyright in the website content hosted at its domains.
Rights in the Company’s LinkedIn account are available to acquire.
Full details on the Company’s social media accounts are available via a virtual data room.
The Company also holds data on previous and prospective customers and strategic partners, including named points of contact and contact details.
All expressions of interest and bids are to be directed to Hilco in writing. A Bid Submission Form is available on request. Please contact Hilco to gain access to a virtual data room for further information on signing a confidentiality agreement.
Hilco is acting as exclusive agent to the Company and its Liquidator in connection with the proposed sale of some or all of the Company’s assets. The Liquidator acts as an agent of the Company and without personal liability.
All sales are made strictly on an “as is, where is” basis. Only such right, title and interest (if any) as the Company may have in the assets will be transferred to a purchaser. No warranties, guarantees, or representations (express or implied) are provided by the Company, its Liquidator, or Hilco in respect of the assets or any information supplied. All parties must rely on their own enquiries and due diligence. Any information provided is for convenience only and has not been independently verified.
All offers are subject to the addition of VAT at the prevailing rate, where applicable. A non-refundable deposit equal to 20% of the agreed purchase price must be paid by the successful purchaser within 48 hours of offer acceptance. Payment of the deposit grants the purchaser the exclusive right to proceed with the acquisition of the relevant assets for a limited period and on the terms agreed. A Buyer’s Premium of 10% of the final purchase price is payable by the successful purchaser in addition to the agreed purchase price, is non-negotiable and is payable at the same time and in the same manner as the purchase price and forms a condition of sale.
Legal completion must occur within five (5) business days of offer acceptance, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and its Liquidator.
