NOAA Ship Rainier to Map Critical Mineral Deposits in Pacific US Waters
autonomous underwater vehicles from Orpheus Ocean to acquire high-resolution seabed imagery and geological samples, in partnership with the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute. NOAA will produce publicly accessible maps and images of these federal waters in the Pacific. These products will inform NOAA, other federal agencies and interested parties of the likelihood of finding critical mineral deposits in the surveyed area. This effort will generate high-quality, deep-ocean data to help increase the baseline understanding of the deep-ocean environment, as well as stimulate further potential
Russia’s Lavrov Says US Seeking Control of Nord Stream Gas Pipelines
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. has been seeking control over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which were damaged by mysterious blast in September 2022.Explosions that destroyed the pipelines more than three years ago largely severed Russian gas transit to Europe, squeezing energy supplies on the continent although Russia had already largely stopped deliveries.Russia and Western countries have both said the incident was an act of sabotage. Investigators spent years trying to piece together the mystery of who was behind it and last year a Ukrainian man was arrested
Marine Technology TV Discusses Latest ROV Trends
Marine Technology TV presenter and editor Celia Konowe caught up with Chris Gibson, VideoRay’s Vice President & General Manager for UUV, at Oceanology International in London this month to discuss the latest trends in ROV capabilities.The company has just launched its Mission Specialist Wraith, the newest addition to the Mission Specialist Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) series designed for demanding subsea operations.Wraith delivers true six-degree-of-freedom maneuverability through 10 vectored thrusters, allowing it to hold any attitude—vertical, inverted, or fully rolled—while
Mark Offshore Adds Research Vessel Mintis to Support Offshore Renewables
Mark Offshore has agreed with Klaipėda University to operate the research vessel Mintis, expanding its fleet and strengthening its position in offshore renewables and subsea support services.Under the agreement, the Lithuanian university has appointed Mark Offshore as commercial and operational manager for the vessel’s activities within the renewables and energy sectors.The addition of Mintis is aimed at supporting offshore wind, marine survey and nearshore energy projects, as demand grows for flexible and cost-efficient subsea support vessels.Originally designed as a scientific research vessel
China Mapping Ocean Floor Ready for Submarine Warfare
China is conducting a vast undersea mapping and monitoring operation across the Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans, building detailed knowledge of marine conditions that naval experts say would be crucial for waging submarine warfare against the United States and its allies.In one example, the Dong Fang Hong 3, a research vessel operated by Ocean University of China, spent 2024 and 2025 sailing back and forth in the seas near Taiwan and the U.S. stronghold of Guam, and around strategic stretches of the Indian Ocean, ship-tracking data reviewed by Reuters shows. In October 2024, it checked on a set of
China Maps Ocean Floor as It Builds Submarine Warfare Capability
China is conducting a vast undersea mapping and monitoring operation across the Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans, building detailed knowledge of marine conditions that naval experts say would be crucial for waging submarine warfare against the United States and its allies.In one example, the Dong Fang Hong 3, a research vessel operated by Ocean University of China, spent 2024 and 2025 sailing back and forth in the seas near Taiwan and the U.S. stronghold of Guam, and around strategic stretches of the Indian Ocean, ship-tracking data reviewed by Reuters shows. In October 2024, it checked on a set of
Bridging the Data Divide: How AI Will Rewire Maritime, Port Ops
;s experiences in working with ports and port facilities to help make operations more efficient and diversify revenue. With AI Strategic Solutions, it’s not about replace people or jobs, rather harnessing the cumulative knowledge of your crew and putting that to work with advanced AI.For latest technologies in the maritime and port sectors, visit PORT OF THE FUTURE -- "2 Days, 50 Ports" -- March 24-25, in Houston. Click here to discover the packed agenda and to register to attend.If you spend enough time around ports and terminals, you hear the same refrain: we
Advanced Navigation Raises $110M Series C to Support Increased PNT Technology Demand
Advanced Navigation, a leader in navigation and autonomous systems, announced it has successfully raised $110 million in a Series C funding round. The raise marks a shift in the global autonomy race as national demand for alternative Positioning, Navigation, Timing (PNT) technologies reaches an all-time high.The round was led by Airtree Ventures, with participation from Quadrant Private Equity and the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC). These investors join a cohort of existing backers including Main Sequence, KKR, In-Q-Tel, Alpha Intelligence Capital, The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC
Janus Launches First USV Comparison Database
US marine autonomy specialist Janus Marine & Defense has launched an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) comparison website. Janus Navigator, a structured, filterable database of almost 200 global USV platforms with a sales capability, has been created to allow clients to make informed choices and identify which platform class best aligns with their mission profile before important procurement decisions are made.The site allows its users to compare and filter USVs across manufacturers, based on mission requirements and technical criteria, rather than relying on individual OEM marketing materials. The
February 2026
