NOAA Accelerates Permitting Timeline for Deep Seabed Mining Applications
rule and a public hearing process. NOAA made clarifying changes to the regulatory text in response to comments received; however, these changes did not alter the purpose or the scope of the proposed rule.“Deep seabed mining is key to unlocking a domestic source of critical minerals for the United States,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. "This consolidation modernizes the law and supports the America First agenda by enabling U.S. companies to access these resources more quickly, strengthening our nation’s economic resilience and advancing the discovery and use of
SUBCO Announces APX East Australia to US Express Hypercable
SUBCO announced its latest submarine cable project, APX East, a new express hypercable between Australia and the United States, planned to be Ready for Service (RFS) Q4 2028.APX East is a 16 fiber pair system that will be the first to offer hyperscalers, neoclouds and carriers, direct fiber connectivity between Australia and mainland US without any landing or interconnection in between. Offering a high level of reliability, security and simplicity, it will also be the lowest latency path between the two nations.APX East delivers latency, security and simplicity benefits while enabling a Q4 2028 RFS
New Map Reveals Terrain Below Antarctic Ice Sheet
Science.The researchers were able to map the subglacial terrain with unprecedented precision. For instance, they identified more than 30,000 previously uncharted hills, defined as terrain protuberances of at least 165 feet (50 meters).Antarctica is about 40% larger than Europe, 50% larger than the United States and roughly half the area of Africa."In every case, all of these continents contain an array of very different landscapes in themselves, from towering mountain ranges to immense flat plains. The hidden landscape of Antarctica also contains these vast extremes," Bingham said. "Boring
Last Chance: Early Bird Registration Ends January 15 for Port of the Future Conference 2026
15, 2026, offering significant savings for what promises to be the maritime industry's most comprehensive gathering of the year.Taking place March 24-25, 2026 at the Hilton University of Houston in Houston, Texas, the conference brings together leaders from more than 60 seaports spanning the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.Don't Miss Out on Early Bird Savings!Registration deadline: January 15, 2026REGISTER NOWWorld-Class Speakers Address Critical Maritime ChallengesThe 2026 conference features an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers
"No Find, No Fee" Search for MH370 to Commence
hopes that long-awaited answers may finally emerge.The Boeing 777 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The passengers included more than 150 Chinese nationals, around 50 Malaysians, and citizens from several other countries, including France, Australia, the United States, India, Canada and Ukraine. Despite one of the most extensive aviation investigations in history, the aircraft has never been found.The final radio transmission from the cockpit came roughly 40 minutes after takeoff, when the captain signed off with the words, “Good night, Malaysian three
USACE's Major General Jason Kelly & Modernizing America’s Waterways
For Major General Jason Kelly, Rebuilding and Maintaining the Nation’s Critical Waterway Infrastructure is personal.When Major General Jason Kelly reflects on his path to leading the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Civil Works mission, he doesn’t describe a straight line. He describes a journey, one that began “on the business end of the Army,” as he puts it, and evolved into a passion for solving complex problems that impact every American who depends on safe, reliable, efficient water infrastructure.For more than two decades, Kelly served as a combat arms
Ocean Infinity Takes Delivery of Final Armada Fleet Vessel
technology at sea.Each vessel is mobilized with a tailored suite of equipment, including advanced underwater robotic systems, enabling a wide range of data collection tasks. From geophysical surveys to geotechnical investigations, these capabilities support complex offshore projects globally from the United States to Europe and the Asia Pacific, delivering high quality data and driving innovation in subsea operations.“Completing the Armada 86-metre class marks an extraordinary moment – five years ago we said we’d build a fleet of fourteen ships, designed unconventionally because speed
AeroVironment to Deliver Mission Specialist Defender ROVs to USGC
AeroVironment, Inc., a provider of underwater robotic systems, announced it has been awarded a $4.8 million United States Coast Guard contract through its wholly owned subsidiary, VideoRay, to deliver Mission Specialist Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as part of the Service’s Force Design 2028 modernization initiative.The Defender will enhance the Coast Guard’s maritime response capabilities by enabling rapid underwater inspections, pier inspections, hull assessments, subsurface infrastructure surveys, disaster response and search and rescue operations in challenging environments&
Babcock Marks Keel Laying for HMS Formidable, Makes US Submarine Deal
to the vessel and its future crew.The event was attended by Babcock’s workforce, representatives of the Royal Navy, and international guests, underscoring Rosyth’s role as a key sovereign industrial capability for the UK.Earlier in the day, Babcock announced a new contract with HII, the United States’ largest military shipbuilder, that will allow advanced manufacturing work for Virginia-class submarine components to be carried out at Rosyth.The Scottish yard already produces missile tube assemblies for U.S. and UK submarine programs, and the expanded deal further embeds British expertise
December 2025
