AI Goes Subsea: Autonomous Welding Robot Debut
Underwater welding is one of the most demanding and hazardous tasks in the maritime and offshore world, relying heavily on a small, highly specialized pool of industrial divers. As port infrastructure ages and offshore structures expand, demand for underwater repair continues to outpace available manpower. A new research project out of Germany aims to fundamentally change that equation.Led by the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence…
Magnet Defense Acquires Metal Shark
The face of U.S. shipbuilding continues to evolve at speed, as Magnet Defense LLC has completed its acquisition of Metal Shark, bringing together autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and established U.S. shipbuilding capacity to accelerate delivery of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for national security missions.The combination positions the newly integrated company as a supplier of AI-enabled USVs for U.S.
Suez Canal Rebound Muted Despite Houthi Attack Stoppage
“100 days ago, on 29 September, the Minervagracht was to become the last ship to be attacked by the Houthis, at least for now. Forty-three days later, the Houthis declared an end to their attacks on ships. Despite this, traffic through the Suez Canal have not significantly increased and in the first week of 2026 remained 60% below the corresponding week in 2023, before ships started diverting around the Cape of Good Hope…
PCTC Vessel MV Ocean Explorer Delivered
Sallaum Lines accepted its latest Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessel, MV Ocean Explorer as part of its Ocean Class fleet. The newbuilding’s arrival represents a major milestone in the company’s ongoing fleet expansion strategy and its commitment to advancing sustainable and energy-efficient maritime operations.“With the delivery of MV Ocean Explorer, we are proud to take another bold step toward a more sustainable future for maritime transport,” said Mr.
Singapore’s First Fully Electric Tug Commissioned Ahead of 2026 Deployment
PaxOcean Group and ABB have announced that Singapore’s first fully electric tug completed commissioning, marking a major milestone in the city-state’s harbor craft electrification program.The 50-tonne bollard pull tug, PXO-ACE-1, is expected to be deployed in April 2026 and is the first fully electric tug to be built and operated in Singapore. The vessel was built by PaxOcean Group, a subsidiary of Kuok Maritime Group…
NORDEN Sells Two Ships, Adds Multi-Purpose Newbuild Leases
Danish shipping company NORDEN has sold one MR tanker and one Capesize dry bulk vessel from its owned fleet, capitalizing on strong asset prices across the dry cargo and tanker markets.The company also said it had entered into two new multi-purpose (MPP) newbuilding lease agreements with purchase options, as part of its strategy to expand in the project cargo market. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2028.NORDEN said the MPP segment benefits from a favorable supply outlook…
Babcock, Frankenburg Partner on Counter‑Drone Maritime Defense System
Babcock and Frankenburg Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore development of a new maritime counter‑drone air defense system in response to the rise of one‑way attack drones.Under the agreement, the partners will work on a cost‑effective, containerized platform for launching Frankenburg’s new low‑cost missiles, designed specifically to defend against one‑way attack drones.
Georg Fischer LATAM Contracted for Plastic Piping in PES Project
Damen Naval has expanded Colombian involvement by contracting Georg Fischer for the PES project in LATAM. Under this project, a Damen SIGMA frigate will be built by COTECMAR, at their shipyard in Cartagena. Georg Fischer in LATAM has been contracted for the delivery of all plastic piping for the PES project.Besides the supply of plastic piping, Damen Naval’s procurement contract also includes Georg Fischer in LATAM to provide training sessions for COTECMAR staff at their yard in Colombia.
SCHOTTEL Provides Propulsion Package for Polish Navy Rescue Vessel
The new Polish Navy rescue vessel “Ratownik," currently under construction at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, will be equipped with a propulsion package supplied by SCHOTTEL. Designed to replace the Navy’s existing rescue units, the ship will enhance submarine crew rescue capabilities and strengthen the protection of subsea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The launch is scheduled for 2027, with delivery to the Polish Navy in 2029.Built to perform complex rescue operations…
ALMACO Group Delivers Provision Stores for Celebrity Cruises Edge-Class Vessel
ALMACO Group has announced the successful delivery of provision stores onboard Celebrity Cruises’ fifth Edge-class vessel, Celebrity Xcel, built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The project was delivered in October 2025 and marks another milestone in the ongoing collaboration between ALMACO Group, Celebrity Cruises, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique.The scope of ALMACO’s delivery included provision stores onboard the newbuild…
ONE and MTI Establish AI Joint Venture
Ocean Network Express (ONE) and MTI have established a joint venture, QUAVEO, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The new company aims to promote the digital transformation of operations and business models in container shipping by utilizing AI technology.ONE operates over 260 vessels and provides container transport services connecting over 120 countries globally. The company says the need for digital transformation involving AI technology adoption—such as responding to diversifying market needs…
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Finalizes Nationwide Permits
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will reissue 56 existing nationwide permits and issue one new permit for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.One existing permit will not be reissued.A pre-publication copy of the new final nationwide permit action is posted to the Office of the Federal Register website.
The Pasha Group Appoints Cary Davis as Vice President of Government Affairs
The Pasha Group, a leader in integrated global logistics and maritime services, announced that Cary Davis has joined the company as Vice President of Government Affairs to lead advocacy and corporate communications. In this role, Davis will oversee federal, state, and local government relations; industry and stakeholder engagement; media relations; and strategic communications in support of Pasha’s long-term growth and service to customers and communities.A business leader and trade attorney…
MoD: UK supported US mission in seizing Russian-flagged tanker
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD0 announced on Wednesday that Britain had provided assistance to the United States during its operation to capture a "Russian flagged oil tanker" in the North Atlantic.After pursuing the tanker for over a month across the Atlantic, Washington was able to seize the vessel on Wednesday.Britain's armed forces provided "pre-planned operational support including basing," following…
Trelleborg Acquires Nexus Elastomer Molds GmbH
Trelleborg Group, through its business area Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, has signed an agreement and finalized the acquisition of the Austrian company Nexus Elastomer Molds GmbH. The company provides advanced, customized tooling solutions and automated manufacturing cells, primarily for liquid silicone rubber.Nexus Elastomer Molds is based in Eberstalzell, Austria. Trelleborg has previously partnered with Nexus in both development and production.
Ecomer Merges with Enag, Becomes Francbord
Francbord, a new Breton industrial group resulting from the evolution of the Ecomer group, announced its merger with the SME Enag, strengthening the group's position as a supplier of technological solutions dedicated to the maritime sector and industry.This operation was made possible thanks to a new fundraising initiative by the maritime sector decarbonization fund managed by Bpifrance, Unexo, a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole…
Russia: US Seizure of Oil Tanker is Piracy
Russia said on Wednesday that the U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic was a violation of maritime law, and a senior lawmaker described it as "outright piracy".Russia's Transport Ministry said contact with the vessel, the Marinera, had been lost after U.S. naval forces boarded it near Iceland as part of efforts to block oil exports from Venezuela."In accordance with the 1982 U.N.
Oil Edges Lower as US Reaches Import Deal with Venezuela
Oil extended declines on Wednesday as investors digested statements from President Donald Trump that the U.S. had reached a deal to import up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude, a move that would lift supplies to the world's largest oil consumer.Brent crude futures were down 40 cents, or 0.7%, to trade at $60.31 a barrel by 11:05 a.m. ET (1605 GMT) after falling to $59.88 a barrel earlier in the session.U.S.
Trump's Oil Grab Widens with Seized Oil Tanker
The U.S. seized an empty Russian-flagged, Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela's socialist government to become an ally.After capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in an attack on Caracas on Saturday, the U.S. is continuing to blockade vessels under sanctions off the South American country, a member of the OPEC oil group. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.
U.S. Icebreaker Build Plan Moves Forward at Warp Speed
The quest to rebuild the U.S. iceabreaking fleet continues to move at lightening speed, with Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) signing agreements with Bollinger Shipyards (Bollinger) and Rauma Marine Constructions Oy (Rauma) to provide its Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design and associated supply chain packages to enable rapid construction and delivery of up to six vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic…
