Batteries at Sea: Not All-Electric, Not Everywhere but Increasingly Essential
– required roughly as much renewable energy as the electricity consumed in e-fuel production.This is where batteries become commercially compelling. A battery does not have to carry the full voyage to create value. If it cuts fuel use in regulated environments, trims emissions, and improves machinery response during demanding operations, it can earn its place without turning the vessel into a fully electric ship. Analysis shows that partial electrification of smaller merchant vessels on short voyages could address up to 17% of CO2 emissions in the relevant vessel segments, while reducing renewable-e
Autonomous Vehicles Solve (and Create) Problems for Ports
immediate situational awareness above the surface. For underwater intelligence, Underwater Listener is an AI-enabled acoustic monitoring system that detects and visualizes underwater sounds in real time. It captures acoustic activity from sources such as ship engines, marine mammals, and underwater machinery, streaming insights directly to XplorerView.As Shane Swiderek, Product Marketing Manager of Sofar Ocean, points out: “Detection only matters if it's fast enough to act on. Real-time processing at the sensor closes the gap between identifying a threat and responding to it.”Ocean
Breaking the Ice on Arctic Research
Deck machinery, such as winches, launch and recovery systems, and cranes, can transform almost any vessel into a floating laboratory, supporting the technology necessary for scientific data collection and analysis. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Amundsen is no exception, as Canada's only icebreaker equipped with scientific facilities in support of national and international multidisciplinary research programs. On board, the vessel boasts 65 scientific systems, 22 fixed and portable laboratories, and 300m2 of wet and dry workspace to perform chemical and biological experiments, analyze
Greenpeace Challenges Dutch Government on Deepsea Mining
Plans by Swiss-Dutch offshore giant Allseas to operate machinery for deep sea mining firm The Metals Company under unilateral U.S. authorization directly violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), according to a legal opinion commissioned by Greenpeace Netherlands.The legal opinion by Professor André Nollkaemper of the University of Amsterdam notes that the binding May 2026 Contract for Development Work and Commercial Production between Allseas and The Metals Company (TMC) includes activities prohibited under international law. According to Nollkaemper the threat is “no
Why security planning matters in modern dredging and port works
must account for environmental factors, such as low visibility and adverse weather, and for both land-based and waterside threats in their planning. Ports benefit from concrete barriers and fixed locations, but are much easier to access. Their static construction means that cargo, supplies and machinery are typically held in predictable locations. Given their immense size and higher footfall, it is clear that they, too, require adaptive and predictive security measures in line with guidance from The World Association of Waterborne Transport Infrastructure.Why planning matters for port and
MacGregor to Supply Deck Machinery for Ultra-Large Cable-Laying Vessel
MacGregor has been selected to supply a comprehensive package of offshore and merchant deck machinery for ultra-large cable-laying vessels. The vessel will be constructed at Tersan Shipyard in Turkey.The contract, secured in close collaboration with Nemo Marine, was booked during Q1 2026, with delivery scheduled for 2027.The specialized package is designed to support the vessel's operational requirements:Offshore Deck Machinery: Essential equipment tailored specifically for cable-laying activities.Merchant Deck Machinery: High-performance vessel-moving winches designed for critical functions
Underwater acoustic monitoring: safeguarding marine life in harbour expansion projects
can automatically detect the vocalizations of marine mammals, such as dolphin clicks and whale vocalizations. When these sounds are identified, the system autonomously trigger alerts, allowing construction teams to implement mitigation measures, such as shutting down operations or reducing the power of machinery.PAM systems can be used for long-term acoustic surveys. By deploying hydrophones before, during, and after construction, researchers and regulators can establish baseline noise levels, assess the impact of construction activities, and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. This data
Argentina Accedes Cape Town Agreement, Entry into Force February 2027
their registries comply, while Port States have the right to inspect foreign vessels in their ports to verify compliance with the 2012 Cape Town Agreement requirements. These cover the design, construction, equipment and inspection of fishing vessels, as well as vessel stability and seaworthiness, machinery and electrical installations, life-saving appliances, fire protection and communications equipment. Beyond safety, the Agreement is also expected to support the reduction of marine plastic pollution from abandoned or lost fishing gear. Four pillars for fishing vessel safety The 2012 Cape
Subsea Supplies Targets US in Partnership with DRIFT Offshore
for its growing US customer base. This collaboration will provide customers across the region with faster access to Burton subsea connectors and cable assemblies, combined with DRIFT Offshore’s technical expertise from its base in Florida.The partnership represents a joint $250,000 investment in machinery, tooling, stock, and test equipment to support expanded operations. By providing local stock availability and faster response times, it will reduce downtime and enhance supply-chain reliability across the energy sector.DRIFT Offshore’s 5,000 sq ft repair and engineering facility in South
August 2026
