Why security planning matters in modern dredging and port works
Security is all too often treated as a purely compliance-driven exercise. This isn’t advisable in any industry, but it is particularly damaging for those that fall under critical infrastructure frameworks. Ports, and, by extension, the dredging operations that maintain and expand shipping lanes, are the backbone of global trade, underpinning essential supply lines. Security threats and workplace distributions therefore carry repercussions that extend far beyond any individual location, and facilitate a response that goes beyond passive monitoring and reactive measures. Both the US Coast
Over 1000 Coral Reefs Mapped in Northern Australia
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) scientists have unveiled and mapped more than 1000 previously uncharted coral reefs in northern Australia, all without setting foot on a boat, or even leaving their offices.Despite being a habitat for a wide range of marine life, and possibly known by locals, reefs from Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia through to western Cape York in Queensland have until now been mostly invisible and overlooked in conservation and development planning. The Marine and Coastal Hub project, led by AIMS, and run in partnership with the University of Queensland (UQ)
Saildrone Introduces High-Endurance Anti-Submarine and Strike USV
Saildrone has announced its newest platform, Spectre. At 52 meters (170 feet) long, weighing 250 tonnes, and capable of up to 30 knots, Spectre is a high-endurance USV designed to deliver multi-mission effects above and below the surface. Spectre’s design is engineered from the keel up for long-range, quiet, persistent operations.Spectre is Saildrone’s largest, fastest, and most capable platform to date.The US Navy is facing unprecedented challenges in maintaining maritime superiority across numerous regional hotspots simultaneously, says the company. As global conflicts escalate, the
NOAA Releases Images of Seabed Nodules From Hydrographic Survey Near American Samoa
NOAA released the first images of geologic seafloor samples from a hydrographic survey project to map and characterize more than 30,000 square nautical miles of federal waters in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) beyond the territorial waters of American Samoa. The box core samples will allow for further analysis to understand the composition of deep sea resources and the environments in which they are found.“NOAA’s mapping missions serve as a reminder that ocean exploration is a vital piece of our nation’s economic development,” said NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs
Nord Stream Blast: Insurers Seeking to Avoid Payout
on Thursday as they seek to avoid paying out nearly 580 million euros ($684 million) over blasts that hit the pipelines.Nord Stream is suing Lloyd's and Arch Insurance over explosions in September 2022 that ruptured pipelines carrying Russian gas under the Baltic Sea to Germany.The explosions – for which no state has taken responsibility - largely severed Russian gas supplies to Europe, marking a major escalation in the conflict and squeezing energy supplies.Two Ukrainians have been arrested in Italy and Poland respectively at the request of German prosecutors after traces of explosives were
Evolving Strategies for Subsea Cable Security
of the picture,” Grainger continued. “The real test is how quickly we can respond when disruption occurs. That depends on having the right vessels available, the right skills in place, and regulatory frameworks that allow rapid mobilization across borders.”IMCA notes that growing demand for offshore energy infrastructure, including wind and field interconnection, is placing additional pressure on the availability of specialized vessels and skilled personnel required for installation and repair.“This is not just about the immediate incident,” Grainger added. “As energy
Hahn Appointed VP, Tech Transfer and Strategy at Cellula Robotics
, and strategic market growth across advanced technology sectors, including recent work focused on autonomous technology commercialization in the US defense market. She also brings a track record of engagement across the wider defense and autonomy community."Cellula has built a strong reputation for delivering advanced subsea capability with real operational relevance," said Hahn. "I am pleased to join the company at an important stage in its growth and look forward to supporting its US market development while helping strengthen the partnerships, customer engagement, and strategic
DeepOcean, Woodside Wrap Up Dual-Scope Subsea Survey at Sangomar Field
DeepOcean and Woodside Energy have completed a combined subsea inspection and 3D scanning campaign at the Sangomar field offshore Senegal.The campaign covered 69 subsea structures, including 17 subsea trees, using a methodology that allows inspection and 3D scanning to be performed simultaneously.DeepOcean said the approach enabled the work to be completed in slightly more than half the time required for two separate operations, while increasing the amount of data collected.The work used remotely operated vehicles equipped with scanning systems and software to generate digital 3D models of subsea
Researchers Improving Collaboration Between Divers and AUVs
The electricity to an island goes out. To find the break in the underwater power cable, a ship pulls up the entire line or deploys remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to traverse the line. But what if an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) could map the line and pinpoint the location of the fault for a diver to fix?Such underwater human-robot teaming is the focus of an MIT Lincoln Laboratory project that seeks to leverage the respective strengths of humans and robots to optimize maritime missions for the U.S. military, including critical infrastructure inspection and repair, search and rescue, harbor
February 2026
