Kongsberg Maritime to Supply Rim-Drive Thrusters for Indian Research Vessel
Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to supply its rim-drive thrusters for a new acoustic research vessel being built for India’s Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL). The vessel, under construction at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), will play a critical role in oceanographic and acoustic research for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).The Kongsberg Maritime rim-drive thrusters were selected for their ability to meet exceptionally strict underwater radiated noise requirements, a key factor for acoustic research operations. By eliminating
Babcock, Frankenburg Partner on Counter‑Drone Maritime Defense System
Babcock and Frankenburg Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore development of a new maritime counter‑drone air defense system in response to the rise of one‑way attack drones.Under the agreement, the partners will work on a cost‑effective, containerized platform for launching Frankenburg’s new low‑cost missiles, designed specifically to defend against one‑way attack drones. The capability is intended to offer affordable, scalable, kinetic solutions to protect military personnel and critical national infrastructure across Europe.Frankenburg’s engineering
Fincantieri’s WASS Bags $235M Torpedo Order from Indian Navy
Fincantieri, via its subsidiary WASS Submarine Systems, has secured a contract from the Indian Navy to supply Black Shark Advanced (BSA) heavyweight torpedoes for six Scorpène-class submarines in service with the fleet.The contract, valued at more than $235 million, is the largest ever awarded in WASS’s history and coincides with the company’s 150th anniversary. Deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030, with production to be carried out at WASS’s facility in Livorno, Italy’s national center of excellence for underwater systems.The Black Shark Advanced torpedo is
2025: Fascinated with Subsea Discovery
Our fascination with the depths of the ocean revealed itself in some of our most-read stories of 2025.What’s really down there? asked New Wave Media President Greg Trauthwein in his interview with Matt Grove, Regional Segment Manager Offshore at Seequent in September, in the most watched Offshore Engineer TV show.Working underneath the world’s waters is a challenge in and of itself, a challenge exacerbated if an operator does not have a clear picture of the make-up of the seabed with insights on the potential traps that might await. Grove discussed the value of finding out for a broad
Kongsberg Maritime Secures LARS Contract with Sea1 Offshore
Kongsberg Maritime has signed a major contract with Sea1 Offshore to deliver Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) for the company’s four new offshore construction vessels. Each vessel will be equipped with two advanced LARS units, supporting subsea construction and ROV operations.The scope of supply per vessel includes two telescopic A-frames, fully electrical umbilical winches, energy efficient hydraulic power units, and a dedicated control system. Each system offers a safe working load of 15 tonnes (vehicle dry weight) and winch cable capacity of 4,500 meters, ensuring robust performance for
EMEC Completes Tidal, Hydrogen and Battery Demonstration
A world-first demonstration combining tidal power, battery storage, and hydrogen production has been completed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland.The demonstration successfully integrated three technologies – Orbital Marine Power’s O2 tidal turbine, vanadium flow batteries supplied by Invinity Energy Systems, and an ITM Power 670 kW electrolyser, at EMEC’s onshore site on the island of Eday.Multiple energy flow scenarios were trialed. During high generation periods, power from the O2 was used to charge the battery system, supply electricity directly to
STAPEM Ops for Sonardyne’s Precise Positioning System
France-based STAPEM Group has chosen Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) technology as the permanent solution for one of its flagship offshore support vessels, the STAPEM Boreale.Operating in one of STAPEM Group’s key regions, Angola, the vessel is now equipped with a Ranger 2 GyroUSBL 7000 system, an all-in-one, high-performance USBL system for precise positioning performance, previously used on a hire basis.Ranger 2 GyroUSBL 7000 is optimized for ultra-deepwater operations and, like all Ranger 2 GyroUSBL systems, includes a single, pre-calibrated transceiver head. Its
Makai Ocean Engineering Launches New Training Simulator for Submarine Cable Installations
Makai Ocean Engineering has released the Makai Simulator, a training tool that enables submarine cable installers to prepare MakaiLay operators in a safe, realistic, and cost-effective way, entirely from shore. Developed by Makai with contribution from Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), the Simulator gives teams the ability to build hands-on experience with offshore cable installation workflows in a controlled, office-based environment.As the global demand for subsea infrastructure accelerates, driven by expanding internet connectivity, offshore renewable energy, and defense requirements, there is
Study: Allseas SMR Tech Seen as Key Maritime, Industry Decarbonization Tool
Allseas’ small modular reactor (SMR) technology could generate up to $150 million billion in economic value for the Netherlands and create as many as 40,000 new jobs by 2050, according to an impact study released on Monday by the offshore engineering group.The study, conducted by consultancy Roland Berger, found that deploying the company’s 25 MWe / 70 MWt high-temperature gas-cooled SMR could also help cut grid congestion, strengthen energy security and deliver major emissions reductions across Dutch industry and the global maritime sector.Allseas launched a five-year plan in June 2025 to
December 2025
