NextGeo Signs Eight-Year Deal with 50Hertz for Seabed Survey Services
Italian offshore services provider Next Geosolutions (NextGeo) has signed an eight-year framework agreement with German transmission system operator (TSO) 50Hertz to deliver geotechnical seabed survey services for offshore substations (OSS) projects.Part of the Elia Group, 50Hertz is responsible for the development and operation of the high-voltage power grid across Northern and Eastern Germany.As a result of this agreement…
Asso.subsea Places Order for Next-Gen Trenching Support Vessel
Subsea cable services company Asso.subsea has ordered a next-generation trenching support vessel (TSV) from China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) Shenzhen Shipyard, scheduled for delivery at the end of 2027.The vessel, named Avra, is the second new building vessel announced in just a few months by Asso.subsea, following the recent revealing of its newest cable laying vessel (CLV) Althea, underscoring…
MDL Secures Cable Laying Job in Asia Pacific
Maritime Developments (MDL) has secured a subsea installation project in the Asia-Pacific region, covering the lay of two cables and two umbilicals.The work will be done in water depths between 800 and 1,200 meters.For the 60-day campaign, scheduled to mobilize from Singapore in 2026, MDL will provide a complete flex-lay spread, including one of the company’s Horizontal Lay Systems – a compact integrated…
Hanwha Appoints Former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor to C-Suite
South Korean defense, shipbuilding and energy solutions provider Hanwha Group has appointed Alex Wong as Global Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) to lead the company's strategic initiatives in international markets.In this newly created role based in Washington, D.C., Wong will spearhead Hanwha's efforts to deepen partnerships, build defense capabilities, and accelerate reindustrialization in key markets…
Westar Marine Services Appoints New Leadership
Westar Marine Services, a cornerstone of the Bay Area maritime community since 1976, has officially entered a new chapter of leadership. After more than four decades at the helm, co-owners Mary McMillan and Wendy Morrow—pioneering women in the maritime industry—are setting sail into a well-earned retirement.McMillan and Morrow built Westar into a trusted name in marine transportation and support services…
International Association of Maritime Clusters Launched
The new International Association of Maritime Clusters (IAMC) was launched during London International Shipping Week 2025 after a panel discussion: “Why collaboration is essential for maritime to grow.”IAMC fielded questions such as: Is there really a need for another trade association?From the tone of the debate, this elicited a very strong confirmation that maritime clusters are missing the all-important global interaction.The panel consisted of Captain Lee Clarke…
US Federal Judge Grants Go Ahead for Orsted Offshore Wind Project
Danish offshore wind developer Orsted can restart work on the nearly finished Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island, a federal judge ruled on Monday, after President Donald Trump's administration halted the project last month.The ruling is a legal setback for Trump, who has sought to block expansion of offshore wind in U.S. waters. It is a palpable victory for Orsted, which has been…
In Memoriam: Captain Charles Robert MacVean, USN, (Ret.), PhD
In Memoriam: Captain Charles Robert MacVean, USN, (Ret.), PhDMarch 22, 1937 – September 10, 2025The book, Blind Man’s Bluff, describes the secret USN submarine operations known as “The Projects.” It begins with the opening line, “There was something about Commander Charles R. MacVean that had a way of inspiring legend.” Authors Sontag and Drew narrowed that “something” down to “his sense of humor and humanity.” Even in the toughest of situations…
IMAS Technology Mitigates Risks for USVs
Once a niche technology, Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) are at the center of a transformation in the maritime industry. From offshore surveying and environmental monitoring to defense operations, USVs offer compelling advantages in efficiency, cost reduction, and human safety. However, as these autonomous and remotely operated vessels become more prevalent in our oceans and waterways, they bring unique…
Sperry Marine to Equip Samskip’s Autonomous-Ready Green Vessels
Sperry Marine has been selected to deliver its Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) for two hydrogen-powered, autonomous-ready container vessels ordered by Samskip Group.The ships, under construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited in India, will be the first in the world to combine zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells with navigation systems prepared for future autonomous operation.Scheduled for delivery in 2027…
UK to Launch Maritime Innovation Hub in April 2026
The U.K. will launch a Maritime Innovation Hub in April 2026, aimed at accelerating the development of new technologies across the shipping sector while maintaining safety standards.The initiative, hosted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will support vessel operators, shipbuilders, start-ups and technology developers in bringing novel ideas into real-world operations.Plans for the hub were…
Exmar Orders Four Suezmax Tankers from South Korean Shipyard
Belgian shipowner Exmar has placed an order for four newbuild Suezmax tankers to a shipyard in South Korea.The order has an option for four additional vessels. The tankers will be built by Daehan Shipbuilding, at their Mokpo shipyard, in South Korea.The vessels will have a deadweight of 157,200 ton, capable of transporting about 1 million of barrels of oil and fitted with a scrubber.The order is placed in view of the strong prospects for the Suezmax market…
Chevron Eyes LNG Growth in Europe with Regasification Terminals
U.S. oil major Chevron is in early-stage talks to explore opportunities in European regasification terminals, as part of its strategy to expand its global presence in the liquefied natural gas market, a senior executive told Reuters.The U.S. has become Europe's top LNG supplier since the continent sharply reduced its imports of Russian gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Chevron, which is contracted to export 7 million tons per annum of LNG from the U.S.
Ship Recycling Market Stabilizes
After what seemed like months of unstoppable volatility, a modicum of stability seemed to enter the global trading markets this week as oil climbed marginally (0.17%) before the week ended, yet this remains a near 1.4% drop just this month and a 10.8% overall decline from the same time last year, reports cash buyer GMS.“On the flip side, trading markets continue to edge on as they surged another 3.6% this week…
AI-based Car Carrier Allocation System Launched
NYK, MTI, and Grid Co. have jointly developed an AI-based system that automates and optimizes the allocation plan of car carriers.Full-scale operations of the system were launched at NYK in July.NYK operates more than 100 car carriers, the largest fleet in the world. Historically, ship allocation planning has been an extremely complex and labor-intensive process, requiring the comprehensive evaluation…
High Seas Treaty to Enter into Force
The High Seas Treaty has reached the milestone of 60 state ratifications needed to trigger its entry into force.Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone and Morocco deposited ratification instruments at the United Nations General Assembly on September 19.Formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (or BBNJ Agreement)…
Video of Third Boat Strike Released, Maduro's Offer to Talk Revealed
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered to engage in direct talks with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump days after the first U.S. strike on a boat from the South American country that Trump says was carrying drug traffickers.In a letter to Trump that was viewed by Reuters on Saturday and published by Venezuela on Sunday, Maduro rejected U.S. claims that Venezuela played a big role in drug trafficking…
Canada Readies for Offshore Wind
Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, has announced that strategic direction has been given to the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator as a next step toward realizing Canada’s first-ever offshore wind project.Fraser made the announcement on behalf of Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Nova Scotia Minister of Energy…
CMES Takes Delivery of 9,300-Car Methanol Dual-Fuel PCTC
China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has officially taken delivery of the world's first 9,300-car capacity methanol dual-fuel powered pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), CM Hong Kong.The 220-meter vessel was built by China Merchants Industry and will sail under the flag of Hong Kong. It has 13 cargo decks and is capable of transporting a wide range of cargo, including cars, trucks, buses, heavy machinery…
Oil Spill Cleanup Underway After Tug Sinks at Marina
A tugboat that sank at the Bremerton Marina in Seattle continues to leak oil.The Dominion, a 130-foot tugboat, which sank around 4 p.m., Wednesday, was reported to contain an unknown amount of diesel fuel and about 200 gallons of lube oil when it sank.Containment boom and absorbent pads were quickly placed around the vessel. Supplemental boom was deployed to collect the pollution as tides shifted.
