Fairbanks Morse Defense Unveils Autonomous Vessel Recovery System
Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) has unveiled AutoHook, an autonomous vessel recovery interface developed by its Norway-based business Vestdavit, designed to recover uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and other craft without manual connections.Introduced at EURONAVAL 2026 in Paris on November 2, the system is designed to automate the active recovery phase of launch and recovery operations, with FMD reporting that it has achieved operational acceptance at Sea State 4.AutoHook uses onboard vision technology and integrated thrusters to track and secure moving vessels during recovery, eliminating the need for
CACI Hooks $145M US Navy Deal for Advanced Maritime Systems
National security technology company CACI International has secured a four-year task order worth up to $145 million to develop and integrate advanced maritime technologies for the U.S. Navy, including autonomous systems, maritime sensors and next-generation naval platforms.The contract, awarded to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD), will focus on developing technologies aimed at improving fleet readiness and operational flexibility.Under the agreement, CACI will conduct research, engineering, testing and rapid prototyping across multiple maritime platforms.The work
Maritime AI and Logistics Startups Win ZEBOX Competition in Vietnam
ZEBOX, the international innovation accelerator founded by CMA CGM Group Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé, has announced four winners of its first Asia-Pacific Challenge for Impact competition, held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.The competition, organized in partnership with CMA CGM Vietnam and technology company FPT, focused on developing solutions for maritime operations, logistics and artificial intelligence applications.Held on October 15 at the Caravelle Saigon Hotel as part of France Vietnam Forward, the event brought together startups and corporate partners to address operational challenges.
TKMS, EDGE Team Up on Subsea Surveillance Systems
TKMS and EDGE Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore jointly developing underwater surveillance and protection capabilities combining multiple platforms and sensor systems.The companies plan to evaluate an integrated multi-system approach to underwater security, combining TKMS's platform capabilities with EDGE's systems expertise to provide surveillance, protection and a comprehensive situational picture of the underwater domain.The MoU was signed as part of an initiative between the German government and the United Arab Emirates aimed at closer cooperation in defense and
Stillstrom Picks Semco for Offshore Charging Equipment
Stillstrom by Maersk has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Semco Maritime to manufacture and deliver a key part of its offshore vessel charging system, moving the technology into manufacturing following completion of its design phase.Semco Maritime will manufacture the local equipment room, or local equipment room (LER), which controls power, communications and safety functions across Stillstrom's offshore charging infrastructure.The containerized unit houses the transformer and medium-voltage switchgear used to transfer offshore-generated electricity from a wind farm to a vessel, alongside
Saipem Taps Subsea Cable Assets for $20M Cable Campaign
Subsea Cable Assets (SCA) has secured its first contract, a roughly $20 million award from Saipem Contracting Netherlands for cable transportation and handling work supporting a major offshore energy project in the Caspian region.The scope covers engineering, equipment fabrication, installation and operation, demobilization and reinstatement, with SCA managing the campaign from equipment supply through to deployment.SCA will provide five cable transport carousels, each with a capacity of 1,100 tonnes, along with associated cable-handling equipment.The equipment will be mobilized on a cable transport
Floating Titanium Lattice Could Out-Perform Steel and Plastic
Australian engineers have created a strong and lightweight titanium material that floats in water, even after severe damage, revealing a promising new material for marine infrastructure.Research led by RMIT University shows the 3D-printed titanium lattice – made up of hollow, interconnected struts filled with foam – not only floats, but also withstands seawater exposure and is stronger than the stainless steel or high-density plastic currently used in jetties, buoys and floating sensors.Lead researcher from RMIT’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing, Dr Jordan Noronha, said their
MacGregor Advances Floating-to-Floating Transfer and LCO2 Systems
MacGregor has expanded its offshore technology portfolio with a certified floating-to-floating personnel transfer capability for its Horizon gangway and a new bow transfer system designed for direct ship-to-well transfer of LCO2.The Horizon gangway has received DNV certification under DNV-ST-0358 for floating-to-floating personnel transfers following a successful sea acceptance test. The certification enables motion-compensated connections between two vessels moving independently, allowing personnel to transfer between floating assets without a fixed landing point.The capability is designed for
Royal Navy Trials Quantum Clock
In the first-of-its-kind trials, the Royal Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office worked with SAAB and quantum technology experts Aquark Technologies to further test the company’s AQlock.The cold atom clock does not rely on traditional timing information provided by conventional global navigation satellite systems. Instead, atoms inside are slowed down at very low temperatures and detect any changes by comparing the frequency of the clock to those atoms, allowing for ultra-precise timing.Already tested at sea for three days with HMS Pursuer last year, the latest trials saw
August 2026
