SMD Launches MD3-XT Plus
. 2. More complex seabeds are increasing tow forces and stability requirementsAs established cable routes become increasingly utilised, new projects are moving into more complex seabed environments. This is exposing burial equipment to a broader range of conditions, from harder ground and softer sediment to more challenging seabed slopes.The new MD3 plough is designed to operate at 80 tonnes continuous bollard pull, with peak loads up to 100 tonnes across all configurations, including with the 3.3m share extension. The structure has been engineered to accommodate these increased tow forces, supporting
AAM Delivers R/V Osprey to UNCW
service life, including:Oceanographic Surveys: Conducting multibeam side scan, magnetometer, and sub-bottom profiler surveys, as well as deploying oceanographic instrumentation and moorings.Biological Studies: Facilitating marine mammal monitoring, deploying trawl nets, and conducting water quality and sediment sampling.Educational Outreach: Engaging students and faculty and other researchers in marine science through hands-on educational programs, supporting up to 20 participants on day trips.The UNCW vessel is the latest in a series of specialized research platforms constructed by AAM over the past five
Smaller Footprint, Broader Missions: How CHASING ROVs Expand Subsea Inspection Capabilities
nondestructive testing within one inspection workflow, producing information for engineering review and future comparison.A second INMARVENCO project in Lake Maracaibo placed different demands on CHASING X. The mission involved inspecting a nearshore 8-inch gas pipeline in low-visibility water and soft sediment.The ROV was configured with DVL, USBL, an Oculus 750d multibeam sonar, a cathodic protection probe and an ultrasonic thickness sensor. During a five-hour operation, the team recorded 4,260 meters of pipeline, examined anode rings and repair clamps, identified subsea cable crossings and collected
Summit at Sea Level to Accelerate Coastal Resilience in Louisiana
includes over 10,000 structures in Calcasieu, Cameron, Vermilion, St. Mary, Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Tammany Parishes.Investigate creating a designated national area of significance for wetland mitigation within Louisiana to optimize ecological returns.Identify regional projects that utilize sediment from the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) to construct resilient wetlands in Louisiana, designating them as eligible for mitigation credit to offset upstream impacts within the MR&T system.Reassess long-term mitigation strategies to ensure future environmental offsets are directly
Deep Sea Mollusks Threatened by Mining Efforts
biodiversity, play a vital role in the food webs of deep-sea vents.According to the IUCN's latest "Red List" of threatened species, 62% of vent-dwelling mollusc species—125 out of 201—are now classified as at risk of extinction due to mining operations, which create sediment blankets that disrupt entire ecosystems."Deep-sea mining would smother the entire ecosystem," Dr Chong Chen, a member of the IUCN's Mollusc Specialist Group told Reuters, explaining that the loss of molluscs at a particular vent field would also mean the loss of all other non-mollusc
BluEnergies Confirms Offshore Liberia Exploration Remains on Schedule
.Seabed Geochemical Sampling is conducted through piston coring to collect evidence of migrated mature hydrocarbons (detection of fluorescent/natural oil compounds, hydrocarbon chromatography, thermogenic origin, etc.)Heat Flow Measurements are being performed to collect information about the relative sediment temperature and the thermal history of the undrilled Harper basin.This project completion is expected by Q4 2026, allowing for the integration of the data into a 3-D data re-interpretation of the numerous leads (basin floor fans) within the Blocks
IADC Brings Dredging, Reclamation Seminar to Bali in November 2026
Dredging and Reclamation Seminar will take place November 23-26, 2026 in Bali, Indonesia. This four-day edition offers participants a opportunity to gain essential industry knowledge in an international setting.Dredging plays a critical and evolving role in today’s world. Beyond the movement of sediment, it contributes to coastal protection, global trade, energy transitions, and ecosystem management. As environmental and societal pressures continue to grow, there is an increasing need for professionals who understand both the technical and strategic aspects of dredging projects.The IADC seminar
SEABER MARVEL Micro-AUV Maps Beach for Littoral Reconnaissance
forces, special operations units, and mine countermeasure teams operating in contested littoral environments.The Limits of Existing Reconnaissance MethodsIn modern littoral warfare, precise knowledge of the seabed is essential before any amphibious landing. Channels, sandbars, obstacles, mines, and sediment structure all directly affect landing craft routes, timing, and survivability, yet existing reconnaissance methods each carry significant operational constraints.Combat divers offer high precision but are slow, cover limited areas, and face serious exposure risks in contested environments. Towed
Planting the Seeds of Inspiration: Eelgrass Restoration
local problem. It’s estimated that the world has lost approximately seven percent of its eelgrass.Restoring these eelgrass beds is critical because they provide habitat for many kinds of marine life, improve water quality by filtering out pollution, and the plant’s root system stabilizes the sediment on the seafloor and as a result protects shorelines from erosion.Eelgrass beds also play a significant role in mitigating climate change. The beds have a remarkable capacity to capture and retain carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, the greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming
August 2026
