Three Men Jailed After Capsizing Cocaine Cruiser
Three men who sank a drug-filled luxury sports cruiser in the waters off Western Australia in 2023 have been sentenced to a combined 29 years and six months' imprisonment for their roles in a botched plot to import more than 300kg of cocaine into the state.The men, aged 38, 47 and 51, each pleaded guilty to one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
ABS Wavesight Hosted Global Vision and Value Summit 2025
ABS Wavesight™, the ABS-affiliated software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, brought together customers for two days of interactive sessions to hear the latest product updates, strategic initiatives and best practices for optimizing the user experience with the full portfolio of ABS Wavesight software.“For more than 25 years, our user summit has been the anchor point for unveiling our latest innovations and connecting with the maritime software community to shape what’s next.
Ideal Welders Contracted for Canadian Icebreaker Block Construction
Seaspan Shipyards has entered into a contract with Ideal Welders for the fabrication of 30 blocks of the new heavy Polar Icebreaker that Seaspan is building for the Canadian Coast Guard.Seaspan and Ideal Welders have had a long-standing, successful partnership — Ideal Welders has constructed many components of the ships Seaspan has built, including the bulbous bows of both Joint Support Ships, HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver.Seaspan cut steel on the new Polar Icebreaker in April 2025.
US Strikes Suspected Drug Vessel in the Pacific
The U.S. military killed two alleged drug smugglers in a strike against a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday, an attack that expands the Trump administration's use of the military in its counter-narcotics campaign.The strike is the first known U.S. military operation in the Pacific since President Donald Trump started a new military offensive…
Singapore’s First-of-Class Multi-Role Combat Vessel Launched
ST Engineering has launched the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s first Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV), Victory, at its Benoi Yard.MRCV Victory is the first of six MRCVs to be built by ST Engineering under a detailed design and construction contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in 2023.Measuring 150 metres in length, the MRCV is designed to serve as a “mothership” for unmanned systems, enabling seamless operability across air, surface, and subsurface domains.
Robosys Automation Receives AMC Search Contract Award to Support ASV Training
Robosys Automation, a leader in maritime autonomy and remote operations, has announced a new contract award from the Australian Maritime College, AMC Search, to supply its advanced VOYAGER AI software as a retrofit to its OPT WAMV-16 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).This contract builds upon the current successful collaboration between Robosys and AMC Search for where VOYAGER AI is deployed in the Australian…
Burger Boat Company Announces Promotion of Ron Cleveringa
Burger Boat Company announced the promotion of Ron Cleveringa to Senior Vice President - Product Portfolio Management, reporting to Rich Thompson, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer.In this newly defined role, Cleveringa will lead the development of Burger’s product development and design DNA across the company’s four business segments: custom yachts, commercial vessels, repair & refit, and military applications.
Pedro Widmann Joins UTC Overseas
UTC Overseas has announced the appointment of Pedro Widmann as Director Global Project Development. Widmann brings over 30 years of experience in the specialized transportation and logistics industry with a strong background in the mining and EPC sector.Throughout his career, Widmann has held key positions with major international freight forwarders, managing major accounts and overseeing large-scale projects across varied regions.
Trump Halt on Offshore Wind Hits US Shipbuilders, Ports
U.S. shipbuilders and port operators are getting hit in the fallout from President Donald Trump’s campaign to wipe out the offshore wind industry, suffering hundreds of millions of dollars in lost government support, vanishing vessel orders, and an uncertain future for the billions of dollars' worth of investments.The impact represents an unintended consequence of Trump’s policy on the offshore wind industry…
SRI Study Shows a Growing Number of Countries Implementing Cabotage Laws
A newly released study by Seafarers' Rights International (SRI) finds that cabotage laws now exist on 85% of the world’s coastlines, are growing in number at an unprecedented pace, and are increasingly essential to national security, economic stability and maritime resilience.The Cabotage Laws of the World (2025) report, commissioned by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), compares nations in their enforcement of cabotage laws…
Energy Traders Steer Shipping Toward Greener Horizons
The maritime industry is charting a new course toward decarbonization, yet this time round it is not only traditional shipowners at the helm. Major energy and commodity traders, whose shipping operations often carry large carbon footprints, are now investing in cleaner and more efficient shipping. With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) calling for a 40% reduction in shipping’s carbon intensity by 2030 from 2008 levels…
Irish Coast Guard Coordinates Fishing Vessel Rescue Off Southwest Coast of Cork
The Irish Coast Guard at Valentia Marine Rescue Coordination Center are currently coordinating a rescue operation which is in its final phase 53 nautical miles south west of Dursey head, Co. Cork.Valentia Coast Guard received a MAYDAY just before 6am today from the fishing vessel, 'Radoche Tercero,' which was taking water. The Coast Guard broadcast a MAYDAY relay to all shipping and tasked the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115…
Stillstrom Introduces New Hires, Technology Advances
Stillstrom by Maersk, a marine technology leader delivering offshore power and charging solutions, has strengthened its leadership team with key senior appointments in Copenhagen and Aberdeen.Nikolaj Stald has joined as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at the company’s HQ in Copenhagen. Nikolaj brings over 15 years’ offshore wind experience and will lead the commercial strategy to drive adoption of offshore charging as a cost-effective decarbonization pathway.
BIMCO to Develop Standard Clause Addressing Chinese Port Fees
BIMCO has initiated the development of a clause specifically addressing the new fees introduced on October 14, 2025 for US-related ships calling at ports in China.The Chinese Ministry of Transport announced on October 10 this year that new “Special Port Fees” would be imposed on ships arriving at Chinese ports if they are US-built or flagged or owned or operated by US entities, subject to certain exceptions. “Our industry is navigating escalating geopolitical uncertainty and trade restrictions.
NOAA Invests $95M in Mid-Life Vessel Renovation
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $95 million contract to JAG Alaska, Inc., a shipyard based in Alaska, for a mid-life renovation of the Oscar Dyson. This project not only enhances NOAA’s operational readiness but also boosts Alaska’s economy by creating skilled jobs.A highlight of the upgrade is Siemens Energy’s SISHIP BlueDrive PlusC low-voltage direct current (LVDC) propulsion system, which improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.
Wärtsilä, TMS Cardiff Gas Extend Maintenance Pact for Seven LNG Carriers
Technology group Wärtsilä and TMS Cardiff Gas have renewed their existing Lifecycle Agreement, covering the two-stroke main engines onboard seven LNG Carrier vessels, for a further five years.The agreement is designed to ensure the vessels’ maximum operational reliability by enabling flexible maintenance scheduling and optimizing time between overhauls (TBO).The seven vessels each operate with two…
Jan De Nul’s Largest Cable Laying Vessel Hits Water in China (Video)
Belgian marine contractor Jan De Nul has launched its newest cable laying vessel (CLV), the Fleeming Jenkin, at the CMHI Haimen shipyard in China, which has now entered the final phase of construction ahead of delivery planned for second half of 2026.The 215-meter-long vessel has a loading capacity of 28,000 tonnes, making it the world’s largest of its kind.Jan De Nul will use the vessel to install subsea cables for the transmission of renewable energy…
Seatrium, Maersk Offshore Wind Head to Arbitration Over $475M WTIV Dispute
Singapore’s Seatrium has received a notice of arbitration from Maersk Offshore Wind’s affiliate, regarding the dispute over the termination of a $475 million contract for a nearly completed wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) originally intended for Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 project in the United States.The arbitration notice, received on October 21, comes just one day after Seatrium Energy (International) (SEI)…
