Trauthwein, Greg
Editor-
Inside the NOC Robotics Center
Much innovation in subsea robotics starts in academia, and the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, UK, is a global leader with a fleet of more than 40 systems and 60 engineers and scientists. Alex Phillips, is the Head of Marine Autonomous Robotic Systems (MARS) at NOC, and Marine Technology recently caught up with him in his workshop to discuss key drivers in the evolution of efficient, effective underwater autonomous systems.Question: Alex…
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John Siddorn, CEO, National Oceanography Center
In a world increasingly shaped by climate uncertainty and geopolitical volatility, understanding the ocean — Earth’s largest and least explored environment — is no longer a scientific luxury; it's a global imperative. At the helm of one of the world’s premier marine research institutions is John Siddorn, Chief Executive, National Oceanography Centre (NOC), who discussed with Marine Technology Reporter from his office overlooking the Port of Southampton…
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Kraken Robotics’ Expansion Continues
Since it was founded in 2012, the Kraken Robotics story has been one of continual growth, both organically and via acquisition. A core premise of its business are enabling everyone, from subsea defense to commercial companies to explorers, to see more clearly underwater via high-resolution 3D acoustic imaging solutions and services. Marine Technology TV caught up with Lynne Adu, EVP and CCO, Kraken Robotics recently to discuss its next-step to provide Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) as a service…
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Inside the RTSYS Comet-300 AUV
The two-man portable Comet-300 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) from RTSYS is a multi-dimensional and cost-effective. Light in weight, it is packed with power, able to carry a host of sensors and technologies – including RTSYS’ own underwater communications protocol, to help those who must work efficiently under the water – from mine clearance to offshore wind to scientific seabed mapping.
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SubCtech ESS Revolutionizes Onshore, Offshore Power
SubCtech’s Li-Ion Energy Storage Systems deliver clean, reliable subsea energy, powering ROVs, AUVs, and subsea infrastructure — reducing CO₂ emissions and OPEX for sustainable marine operations. Designed for longevity and safety in harsh offshore environments. The safe way to cut costs.
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Beating the Heat: R.W. Fernstrum & Company Turns 75
R.W. Fernstrum & Company, founded by Robert W. Fernstrum 75 years ago, is a quintessential U.S. manufacturing story. The company was born in the aftermath of WWII, founded on an invention developed during the war by Robert Fernstrum to help solve an engine overheating problem that was plaguing U.S. Navy landing craft. Family owned and operated from day one, today the company includes a fourth generation of family that aims to continue the legacy of its founder…
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Ship Design & Construction: Laurie Balan, COO, Genoa Design
Genoa Design International has been providing production design and 3D modeling services to shipbuilding and offshore industries from Newfoundland and Labrador for nearly 30 years. With a team of more than 200, Laurie Balan, COO, Genoa Design International, sees ample opportunity for future growth, with defense budgets booming around the world and the recently signed Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (“ICE PACT”) between the Canada, Finland and the U.S.
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Co. Innovation Centre in NL Opens Its Doors to the World
The Co. Innovation Centre is a multi-sectoral space for established and growing companies to converge, collaborate and co-create. Meagan Kay-Fowlow, President of the Co. Innovation Centre, discusses how this unique facility will engage with organizations and technologists – both inside and outside of Newfoundland & Labrador – to positively impact work in the maritime, offshore energy and subsea sectors.A native of St.
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![“Our province has been shaped by the Atlantic Ocean. It can be extremely cold, extremely unforgiving. If it works here, it will work anywhere. The technology we [develop and] use here can be adapted to anywhere else in the world. We are adaptive, we're nimble, we're problem solvers. And at the end of the day, we are collaborative."
Minister Andrew Parsons, Industry, Energy & Technology, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. Photo courtesy the office of Minister Andrew Parsons](https://images.marinetechnologynews.com/images/maritime/w300h200padcanvas/province-been-shaped-153427.jpg)
NL Government Helps Power Regional Maritime, Offshore Energy, Subsea Tech Cluster
Minister Andrew Parsons, Industry, Energy & Technology, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, discusses the innovative technology cluster that has grown within and outside of his province, with insights on the technology and the market sectors that will power the region’s and the country’s future.Watch the full interview with Minister Andrew Parsons, Industry, Energy & Technology, Newfoundland & Labrador…
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Start me Up! Giving a Leg Up to Ocean Tech Startups
Paula Mendonça came to St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador more than two decades ago from her native Portugal, and never left. Today, the energetic Mendonça serves as Executive Director of the Ocean StartUp Project, a national group that aims to “inspire, initiate & invest in early stage ocean technology startups.”Paula Mendonça left her native Portugal more than two decades ago to move the St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador to pursue her PhD.
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Meet the CTO: David Shea, Kraken Robotics
Since its founding in 2012, Kraken Robotics has operated by the succinct motto: “Innovate or Die.” Fast forward to 2024, and it is a global powerhouse, publicly traded with 250 employees and revenues fast approaching the $100m mark. David Shea has been with the company since the start and today serves as its Chief Technology Officer. He discusses the technologies and trends that will power his company’s growth into the future.Watch the full…
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Simulation Training Profile: Chris Hearn, Memorial University
Memorial University in St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, is a microcosm of how this unique regional cluster has parlayed its geographic locale and harsh, unique operating conditions into world leadership in the maritime, offshore energy and subsea tech spaces. An alumni, a professional mariner and now the Director of the Center for Marine Simulation, the Fisheries & Marine Institute at Memorial University…
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Meet ‘Super GPS’: XONA Ups the Space Race Ante
With a mission to power the current and next-generation of GPS-enabled products and systems, XONA Space Systems keeps the mantra ‘precision, power and protection’ in all that it does as this 2020-start-up designs, builds and launches its fleet of low earth orbit satellites. We spoke with XONA CEO Brian Manning for his insights on how this could impact the maritime, offshore energy and subsea sectors.The following was excerpted from Maritime Reporter TV’s interview with XONA CEO Brian Manning.
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Gazelle Prepares for a Floating Wind Future
As offshore wind power spreads globally, it’s widely acknowledged that the maturation of floating wind power platforms will exponentially increase the availability of resources, as a majority of the wind power lies outside the installation zone of fixed systems. Enter Gazelle Wind Power, which offers a compelling engineered solution and value proposition to the market. Newly minted Gazelle CFO Alvaro Ortega discusses the outlook for offshore floating wind.
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Harnessing the 'Mocean' of the Ocean
Garnering power from ocean waves is a generation behind the progress of offshore wind, but Mocean Energy, led by founder and managing director Cameron McNatt, is aiming to help offshore companies power up it’s offshore and seafloor assets with its Blue Star system. A 10kW Blue Star prototype now has more than 14 months of operational experience under its belt, and the goal for 2024 is completion of that trial and continuing the path toward commercialization.
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Synchro: Helping to Pull Emerging Tech through the “Valley of Death”
Taking subsea technology from the workbench to commercialization has always been fraught with hurdles and sinkholes. Synchro is a new co-designed testbed to synchronize and evolve tech solutions. Henry Ruhl, Director, and Amy West, Program Manager of Synchro discuss with the possibilities for technology developers. As anyone in the subsea sector can attest, new tech can have its growth trajectory stunted or killed by lack of facilities, funding [or both].
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"AI is the Game Changer"
Austal USA Advanced Technologies is working with the US Navy on technical solutions that will power the next-gen of navy assets. Don Hairston recently took the helm of the AAT team, and discusses how additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence are powering the future of naval asset design, construction and lifecycle maintenance.Don, what specifically attracted you to the position as GM of Austal USA Advanced Technologies?I liked Austal USA as an up-and-comer…
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Floating Wind Faces Mooring System Supply Chain Bottlenecks
A combination of technical and market factors could drive supply chain bottlenecks for mooring system components in the emerging offshore wind sector, says Philip Lewis, director of research at Intelatus Global Partners.See the full video interview here.
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Connecting the Dots: From Remote Operations to Full Autonomy
Realizing the full value of digital solutions far exceeds the capability of technology. The technology exists today to help offshore energy and maritime operators radically improve efficiency and cut costs in equal measure. The real trick to driving efficiencies is to take advantage of the latest technologies while at the same time negotiating the necessary culture change within individual organizations…
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SOI Steps Ahead on Ocean Mapping
With its new research vessel Falkor (too), Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) has ramped up its ability to map the ocean floor. Jyotika I. Virmani, Ph.D. Executive Director, SOI, offers insights on how new and emerging meld with onboard and shoreside crew to make exploration and discovery more efficient and effective.Jyotika, to start, can you give us a ‘By the Numbers’ look at SOI today?We recently donated our original vessel, Falkor, to Italy in 2022.
February 2025
