Op-Ed: Why Wave Energy Must Be the UK’s Next Great Green Frontier
Energy Council, Ocean Energy Europe and Professor Henry Jeffrey, Head of Policy and Innovation Group, University of Edinburgh.As an island nation with more than 11,000 miles of coastline, the UK sits beside one of the most powerful, and most overlooked renewable energy resources on Earth: ocean waves. Offshore wind has dominated Britain’s clean‑energy identity for decades, but wave power is no longer a distant prospect. It is now a proven, deployable technology whose moment has arrived. Across Europe, full-scale demonstrations have now fed reliable electricity into national grids, created skilled
Shearwater to Sell SW Baret for Conversion to Source Vessel
Shearwater Geoservices has agreed to sell the vessel SW Baret to an undisclosed buyer for conversion into a dedicated source vessel.The agreed sales price exceeds the vessel’s carrying book value and is expected to result in a gain in Shearwater’s accounts, as well as a positive impact on liquidity, the company said.Completion of the transaction is expected late in the second quarter of 2026.The vessel, built in 2012, has been in lay-up since 2021 and will undergo modifications following the sale, including removal of streamer winches and related equipment.Shearwater said the transaction
ABS Signs Pact with Fleet Robotics on Maritime Robotics
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Fleet Robotics have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on autonomous robotic systems for hull cleaning and inspection.The agreement, announced at Singapore Maritime Week, aims to support the deployment of robotic systems for vessel maintenance.“It is an honor to work alongside Fleet Robotics to advance autonomous robotic systems for the industry. This collaboration is about more than innovation, we are working to establish the standards and frameworks needed for the maritime industry to confidently adopt these technologies and move
IQIP, EnBW, Vattenfall to Test Low-Noise Offshore Monopile Installation
IQIP, EnBW and Vattenfall have announced plans to carry out a full-scale offshore monopile installation using EQ-Piling technology at a wind site in German waters.The installation will take place at the Dreekant offshore wind farm, owned and developed by EnBW, with DEME contracted to execute the work using its installation vessel Orion.The demonstration marks the first offshore deployment of the EQ-Piling method following an earlier inshore test in Rotterdam, the companies said.The installation is intended to validate reduced noise levels during piling without the use of additional mitigation measures
Helix, Hornbeck Merger to Form ‘Premier’ Offshore Services Company
Helix Energy Solutions and Hornbeck Offshore Services have agreed to combine in an all-stock transaction to create an integrated offshore services company.Under the agreement, Hornbeck shareholders will own about 55% of the combined company, while Helix shareholders will hold around 45%.The combined company will operate under the Hornbeck Offshore Services name and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘HOS’.The companies said the combination will bring together fleets of specialty vessels and capabilities including subsea robotics and well intervention services, providing
Sierra Leone Grants Offshore Survey Permit to Shell
Sierra Leone has signed an agreement with Shell that allows the oil major to conduct advanced geological and geophysical surveys across multiple offshore blocks, the country's petroleum directorate said on Wednesday.The reconnaissance permit agreement covers an area of approximately 20,600 square kilometres and includes basin modelling and petroleum systems analysis, a statement said.The programme, similar to one signed with Eni ENI.MI last October, is expected to enhance understanding of Sierra Leone's deepwater hydrocarbon potential.The permit will provide a data-driven framework for technical
European TSOs Explore Joint Approach to Offshore Cable Infrastructure
European transmission system operators (TSOs) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore cooperation on offshore cable infrastructure in the North Sea.The agreement aims to improve the affordability, efficiency and reliability of Europe’s electricity system as offshore wind capacity grows.The operators - Elia, Energinet, 50Hertz and TenneT - will investigate collaboration for at least one year, including sharing knowledge on repair procedures, spare parts, fault detection and available vessels and equipment.The initiative is open to other transmission system operators within the
UK Firm Installs Floating OTEC Prototype in Atlantic Ocean
a floating ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) prototype off the Canary Island in Spain.The platform is designed to generate electricity by using the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water, a process known as OTEC.The installation marks the first purpose-built offshore platform of its kind and is intended to address challenges in scaling the technology for island and coastal markets.OTEC has previously been demonstrated onshore at small scale, but its development has been constrained by the size and length of pipes needed to access seawater. Offshore systems reduce
DeepOcean to Install Inter-Array Cables at Taiwan’s Offshore Wind Farm
Ocean services provider DeepOcean has secured a contract to support installation of inter-array cables at the TPC offshore wind farm phase 2 (TPC-II) off Taiwan.The scope includes installation of cables connecting turbines to offshore substations, as well as engineering and project management services.DeepOcean will work with Dong Fang Offshore and use the subsea vessel Orient Adventurer, which has been upgraded with new remotely operated vehicles, an under-deck carousel and a cable lay system.“We look forward to working together with Dong Fang Offshore on this significant project. The project
February 2026
