SeaBot Maritime, GRi Simulations, Frontier Robotics Deliver Human-AI Autonomous Training Platform
,000) per mission. As autonomous systems become central to maritime operations, SeaBot Maritime, GRi Simulations Inc. and Frontier Robotics have delivered a new simulation platform that enables operators to safely train and validate AI-enabled systems before deployment at sea.Developed as part of a UK government-funded initiative awarded by the AI Security Institute, the platform allows autonomous subsea systems to be tested within a realistic digital offshore environment prior to live deployment. The project, titled “Evolving Human-AI Competencies: Workforce Development for Building Systemically
HydroWing Wins 10MW CfD Boost for Morlais Tidal Energy Project
HydroWing Tidal Energy Projects, part of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, has secured an additional 10 MW of capacity for its Ynni’r Lleuad Project at Morlais in Wales.The additional 10 MW have been awarded as part of the U.K. government’s Allocation Round 7a (AR7a) Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme.The latest award builds on 20 MW previously secured through earlier CfD rounds and under development, taking total contracted capacity at the Morlais site to 30 MW.The Phase 3 project is scheduled for delivery in 2030 and, once completed, is expected to deploy 18 HydroWing HW3 tidal energy
Thales Introduces New Sonar 76Nano for the Underwater Battle Space
Thales has introduced the prototype of Sonar 76Nano, a miniaturized acoustic detection system intended to redefine maritime security for the UK, NATO, and their allies. Building on the world-class legacy of the renowned Sonar 2076, the Sonar 76Nano directly supports the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy ambitions to strengthen national security and UK industrial capability.Thanks to its modular and flexible design, Sonar 76Nano can be deployed onboard a wider range of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV) and seabed monitoring systems rather than being limited
Orbital Marine Power Secures $9.31m Investment
, engineered to withstand and operate in the harshest of conditions, promising to supply predictable power from the world’s tidal streams and ocean currents, regardless of the weather. Orbital is set to double its turbine orderbook, already having secured CfDs—power contracts with the UK government—for a total of 14.4MW (six turbines) at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) site. These will join Orbital’s existing O2 turbines in the waters off the Orkney Islands, together capable of powering 18,000 homes with uniquely predictable clean power that can meet low carbon power
Witherbys Sign Licensing Agreement to Release Official MCA, ILO eBooks on Witherby Connect
. Used on more than 40,000 vessels worldwide, it provides secure online and offline access to critical publications—including IMO, ICS, OCIMF, SIGTTO and INTERTANKO titles—and fully complies with IMO cyber security requirements.TSO with its heritage of 200 years as publisher to the UK Government and Parliament, together with Witherby Publishing Group, continues to deliver trusted digital resources to the global maritime community
SeaBot Maritime, University of Plymouth Sign MoU to Advance Marine Autonomy Collaboration
the future workforce to lead in the use of intelligent maritime technologies.It combines SeaBot Maritime’s industry-leading expertise in maritime skills development with the University of Plymouth’s world-class research and educational capabilities, which have helped its home city achieve UK Government recognition as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy.Under the MoU, SeaBot Maritime and the University of Plymouth will deliver and develop both existing and new courses using the University’s facilities, while creating additional learning modules and co-designing new jointly branded
Robosys Automation Aims to Streamline Offshore Wind Environmental Data Collection
;s target of 60GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.The project consortium includes ACUAOcean, MSEIS, Plymouth Marine Laboratories, and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.Funding for Project ORACLES was secured through the UK Research and Innovation Innovate UK Launchpad program, in line with the UK Government’s Levelling Up plan.The project’s 14-month research phase will advance the use of clean maritime solutions, including ACUA’s Unmanned Survey Vessel (USV), which will be equipped with a range of environmental sensors (eDNA, ADCP, acoustics) to collect comprehensive, real-time
UK Hydrographic Office Appoints Chief Executive
accessibility of its navigational solutions. The UKHO is investing in the skills and capability of its people to meet the needs of a constantly evolving sector, as well as playing a proactive role in the hydrographic community and fulfilling its public task for Safety of Life at Sea on behalf of the UK government.With this momentum, Vanessa is well placed to lead the UKHO in delivering its public task, contributing to the UK government’s growth mission, and continuing to serve both national security priorities and its commercial customers. Working in close collaboration with national and international
Global Underwater Hub: MoD Must Engage With UK Subsea Industry to Bolster Defense Assets
country is prepared for a potentially “existential” attack on national subsea infrastructure, says Global Underwater Hub (GUH), the leading trade and industry body for the country’s USD$12.24 billion (£9 billion) subsea sector.The call comes following the publication of the UK government’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review. GUH says that the MoD’s outdated procurement mechanisms are being outrun by the rapidly evolving nature of threats facing the country.“Instead of viewing the commercial underwater sector as a supplier of last resort, the MoD must view it as a
February 2026
