Technology News

After its first year of transatlantic service, NEOLINE's wind-powered cargo ship demonstrates the potential for substantial fuel savings, while technical issues highlight the challenges of bringing sail propulsion into mainstream commercial shipping.For all the discussion surrounding shipping's decarbonization, the commercial equation for alternative propulsion technologies remains relatively straightforward: How much does the technology cost, how much fuel can it save, and how…

A South Korean robotics company is commercializing a lightweight wearable robot designed to reduce physical strain on workers performing repetitive lifting and other demanding tasks, with potential applications in shipbuilding, manufacturing, construction and logistics.SARTEXO, a spin-off of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), has introduced its Bionic Suit, a third-generation wearable robotic system that uses electrically activated artificial muscles embedded in fabric rather than conventional motors and rigid mechanical frames.The technology…

Stillstrom by Maersk has completed the construction and factory acceptance testing of what it describes as the world's first 11 kV vessel-mounted connection unit designed to charge service operation vessels (SOVs) directly from offshore wind farms.The milestone, witnessed by DNV, marks the completion of testing for Stillstrom's Vessel Container Unit (VCU), a modular system designed to transfer electricity from offshore wind infrastructure to vessel batteries.The containerised unit houses an 11 kV connector package and can be installed at the bow…

Dutch geological data specialist Fugro said on Friday that Iran war-linked disruptions had dented its earnings by €25 million ($28 million) this year, including €10 million in the third quarter alone, while GPS jamming and restrictions on vessel movements continued to hamper Gulf offshore operations.Some clients in the region have altered project plans and, in some cases, used their own vessels for work that would otherwise have been contracted to Fugro, CEO Mark Heine told Reuters."We have work…

Carbon capture and storage (CCS)  is moving from a collection of demonstration projects toward a new infrastructure business. As of July 2025, 734 commercial CCS facilities  were in operation or development, up from 628 a year earlier, while total capture capacity in the pipeline increased from 416 million tons per annum (Mtpa) to 513 Mtpa (64 Mtpa operational) (Figure 1). Figure 1. Cumulative operating CCS facilities by region, 1972-2025Source: Intelatus Global Partners’ interpretation of Global CCS Institute data.The number of operating facilities rose from 50 to 77 between 2024 and 2025…

Seatrium announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global floating power solutions specialist Karpowership to pursue a joint venture to develop floating power and infrastructure solutions in Singapore, with the potential to extend cooperation to the wider Southeast Asia market.The two companies will create an integrated platform combining infrastructure development, financing, engineering, construction and operations. The collaboration brings together Seatrium’s global offshore engineering…

Swiss robotics company ANYbotics has begun customer deliveries of ANYmal X, a four-legged autonomous inspection robot designed to operate in potentially explosive environments, opening new opportunities for robotic inspection across offshore oil and gas installations and industrial processing facilities.Initial customers include Equinor and DSM-Firmenich, following an extensive testing program involving BP, Shell, PETRONAS, Petrobras, BASF and SLB. Since 2023, participating companies…

Seven Japanese companies have agreed to develop an integrated ammonia fuel supply chain and build four ammonia-fueled car carriers, establishing a commercial bunkering operation in Japan's Chubu region to support the vessels when they enter service in 2030.The agreement brings together shipowners NYK Line and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), shipbuilders Imabari Shipbuilding, Shin Kurushima Dockyard, Nihon Shipyard and Kyokuyo Shipyard, as well as energy company JERA.The project encompasses green ammonia procurement…

Mammoet Canada Eastern Ltd., Port of Argentia Inc. and Argentia Capital Inc. (ACI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance plans for a floating dry dock and marine repair facility at the Port of Argentia in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.The proposed development would combine Mammoet's heavy lifting, transport and marine engineering capabilities with the port's existing infrastructure, creating additional capacity for vessel maintenance, repair and industrial services.Central to the project is the Tugdock Submersible Platform (TSP)…

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) has launched Ocean Minerals Forward, a new industry education and communications initiative examining the potential of deep-sea mineral resources to strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains, support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.The initiative includes a dedicated website, a comprehensive report and educational resources covering seabed mineral development, offshore technologies, environmental considerations and the regulatory challenges facing the emerging industry.Critical minerals including nickel…

The fourth edition of the Port Entrepreneurship International Congress (PEIC) concluded in Valencia, Spain, attracting more than 650 participants from the international maritime, port and logistics sectors, marking record attendance for the event.Organized by Opentop, Valenciaport's open innovation hub, the October 20–21 congress brought together startups, technology developers, port authorities, logistics companies and investors to explore emerging technologies and opportunities for collaboration.International participation accounted for 45% of attendees…

The Port of Los Angeles recorded its lowest emissions per container on record in 2025, continuing a two-decade decline in air pollution even as container throughput remained near historic highs.According to the port's newly released Inventory of Air Emissions, diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions declined 2% in 2025 compared with 2024, while nitrogen oxides (NOx) fell 4%, sulfur oxides (SOx) decreased 5% and greenhouse gas emissions dropped 3%. The NOx reduction brought annual…

Ports should begin preparing for advanced nuclear technologies, including nuclear-powered ships, floating power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs), according to a joint report from Lloyd's Register (LR) and the British Ports Association (BPA).The report, Advanced Nuclear Technology Use Within Port Environments, examines how nuclear technology could support growing port energy requirements while creating opportunities in shipbuilding, vessel maintenance, industrial power…

The FKAB-designed L21 ammonia carrier Shenghang Yongle has successfully supplied 1,000 tonnes of green ammonia to the ammonia-powered bulk carrier Mineral Europa in Zhoushan, China. A liquefied gas carrier originally designed by FKAB Marine Design has completed what Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development describes as the world’s first commercial ship-to-ship bunkering operation using green ammonia. On 13 October 2026, Shenghang Yongle supplied 1,000 tonnes of green ammonia to Mineral Europa…

DNV has become the first non-Japanese recognized organization authorized by Japan's Flag Administration to apply floating offshore wind classification rules in the country.The authorization allows DNV to apply its floating offshore wind rules within Japan's regulatory framework, supporting the classification and technical assessment of floating wind installations.The rules cover floating substructures, mooring and station-keeping systems, as well as associated safety and utility systems.DNV said the approval strengthens its ability to provide technical expertise…

Saitec Offshore Technologies and Japan's Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) have agreed to extend operations at the 2 MW DemoSATH floating offshore wind demonstrator in Spain through 2027, with Japanese construction company Kumagai Gumi joining the project as a new partner.The three companies have signed a cooperation agreement to continue operating the floating wind turbine at the BiMEP open-sea test site off the Basque coast, shifting the project's focus towards research…

Critical infrastructure has never been more connected. Across ports, energy networks and industrial facilities, operators have access to unprecedented volumes of operational data generated by sensors, surveillance systems, satellite imagery, connected equipment and digital monitoring platforms. Every day, these technologies provide valuable insights into the performance, condition and security of critical assets. Yet despite this growing visibility, one challenge continues to persist.The problem is no longer collecting operational data.

Thai Union has selected Spanish marine technology company Zunibal to upgrade electronic monitoring (EM) systems aboard its suppliers' tuna longliners operating in the Indian Ocean.The agreement covers onboard equipment installation, technical support, cloud-based data management, video analysis and reporting. Zunibal will incorporate artificial intelligence to accelerate the review of fishing activity, reduce monitoring costs and improve compliance oversight.The project supports Thai Union's SeaChange sustainability strategy and its commitments to responsible tuna sourcing.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), CMA CGM Group and Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the supply and use of liquefied bio-methane, or bio-LNG, as a marine fuel, leveraging Singapore’s existing LNG infrastructure to support shipping decarbonization.The agreement brings together MPA’s regulatory expertise, CMA CGM’s shipping operations and SLNG’s LNG infrastructure capabilities to develop practical pathways for supplying…

Belgium-based Shipnext has introduced business networking capabilities to its digital shipping marketplace, enabling charterers, brokers, carriers and cargo owners to communicate and exchange freight information within a single platform.Launched October 16, 2026, the new functionality integrates professional networking with Shipnext's existing freight-matching, cargo and fleet-positioning tools, aiming to reduce the industry's reliance on email for exchanging cargo availability, vessel schedules and freight information.The platform now supports open and closed group chats, allowing shipping pr

Dutch inland shipping company AMS Barging has christened its new diesel-electric tanker Felicitas at Noordereiland in Rotterdam. Liv and Julie, daughters of AMS Barging co-owner Igor Jansen, performed the naming ceremony.The 135-metre tanker was designed by RensenDriessen Shipbuilding and fitted out by Den Breejen Shipyard. With a cargo capacity of approximately 9,000 m³, Felicitas features 12 cargo tanks, a dual piping system, two mass flow meters, a nitrogen generator, a bunker boom and a cargo pumping capacity of 1,800 m³ per hour.

LD Armateurs and Norsepower completed installation of six rotor sails aboard Spirit of Toulouse, the first of three low-emission RoRo vessels being built to transport aircraft components for Airbus between Europe and North America.The installation, completed by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group at an outfitting facility in Shanghai, makes Spirit of Toulouse the world's largest RoRo vessel equipped with wind-assisted propulsion and, according to the companies, the vessel carrying…

Anglo-Eastern has detailed its role in developing and preparing CMB.TECH's Mineral Europa, the world's first ammonia-powered dry bulk carrier, which recently embarked on its maiden voyage.The 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax, built by CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, features a WinGD dual-fuel ammonia engine and a Sun Rui Ammonia Fuel Supply System. The vessel can operate on ammonia or conventional marine fuel, providing flexibility as ammonia bunkering infrastructure develops.Anglo-Eastern's involvement dates to 2018…