Researchers Team Up to Investigate Costal Wave Breaking

Scientists from the University College London (UCL), the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), and the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) Paris-Saclay have joined forces to shed more light on the role of coastal wave breaking in global climate modeling.Under the WAVECLIM project, scientists from UCL, NOC and ENS will use novel observations of coastal wave breaking, advanced modeling, and machine learning to determine the importance of the coastal wave breaking…

New Royal Navy USV to Neutralize Mines

The Royal Navy now has taken delivery of a 12m uncrewed surface vessel (USV), called Ariadne, that will be used to detect mines.This advanced technology is expected to increase operational tempo, and it eliminates the needs for sailors to enter mine danger areas.Royal Navy Motor Boat (RNMB) Ariadne can be deployed from a harbor or mother ship to scour the seabed for mines, using Thales Towed Synthetic…

US Launches Process for Offshore Mineral Lease Sale

The US Department of the Interior has announced it is initiating the process to evaluate a potential mineral lease sale in the waters offshore American Samoa.This marks the first such action by Interior in over 30 years and could pave the way for future extraction of critical minerals from the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.“Critical minerals are fundamental to strengthening our nation's resilience and safeguarding our national interests,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

Fincantieri, Defcomm to Jointly Advance Naval Units and Surface Drones

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed a strategic agreement to accelerate the development of autonomous surface units developed by Italian start-up Defcomm, which specializes in unmanned solutions for the maritime sector.The agreement focuses on a co-investment partnership to accelerate the development and industrialization of surface drones designed by Defcomm, which have already passed long run and endurance tests.These drones are designed for surveillance…

VideoRay, BlueHalo Awarded $30.7M Navy Contract

VideoRay, a BlueHalo company, was awarded a $30,735,784 contract to provide systems engineering and support services for the company's Mission Specialist Defender systems, the Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The five-year contract was issued by the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific and supports the U.S. Navy’s ongoing operations utilizing the Mission Specialist Defender systems.The award follows the U.S.

Cargotec Proceeds with MacGregor Sale as Offshore Wind Dispute Gets Resolved

MacGregor has settled the dispute with a monopile installation vessel customer as its parent company Cargotec goes forward with the sale of the business.As announced on April 30, 2024 in Cargotec’s interim report January–March 2024, MacGregor has had a dispute related to one and only monopile installation vessel project.MacGregor and the customer have now settled this dispute, which will have an approximately…

"AI is the Game Changer"

Austal USA Advanced Technologies is working with the US Navy on technical solutions that will power the next-gen of navy assets. Don Hairston recently took the helm of the AAT team, and discusses how additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence are powering the future of naval asset design, construction and lifecycle maintenance.Don, what specifically attracted you to the position as GM of Austal USA Advanced Technologies?I liked Austal USA as an up-and-comer…

Quantum Sensing Beats GPS-Denied Navigational Challenges

The same error-prone sensitivity that has slowed down the development of quantum computers is being turned into an advantage for GPS-denied navigation.A new quantum sensing technology from Australia-based Q-CTRL has most recently caught the interest of Lockheed Martin and the US Defense Innovation Unit, but the company is already working with the Australian Department of Defence, the UK Royal Navy…

Oceaneering Upgrades Survey Vessel for Simultaneous Autonomous Missions

U.S.-based subsea services and technology firm Oceaneering has completed a major upgrade of its Ocean Intervention II oceanographic research vessel, equipping it to perform simultaneous autonomous offshore survey missions.The retrofit, carried out in early 2025 on the 25-year-old vessel, has made it capable of launching and recovering both uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).The vessel…

Fincantieri, PGZ Join Forces for Modernization of Polish Navy

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), Polish state-owned defense group, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-operate on the modernization of Polish Navy and explore opportunities in wider naval defense market.The MoU establishes a framework for strategic collaboration aimed at supporting the modernization of the Polish Navy, with a particular focus on the ORKA submarine acquisition program.Under the agreement…

Nokia to Power Medusa Submarine Cable System Between Europe and North Africa

Nokia announced that it will power the Medusa Submarine Cable System, a project owned by AFR-IX Telecom. The new subsea fiber-optic network will connect the Atlantic coast, Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, creating a new high-capacity digital corridor in the region, driving connectivity, innovation, and economic growth across the region.The Medusa subsea cable is a significant step toward closing the digital divide between Europe and North Africa…

Coast Guard Establishes Robotics Office

The U.S. Coast Guard has set up the initial operating capability of a Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office.The office is a key component of the Service's Force Design 2028 (FD 2028) plan, and the Coast Guard claims it is poised to be the most transformational enhancement to capability since the inception of aviation. The office is dedicated to the rapid operationalization of the…

Blueye Robotics to Deliver ROVs to the Netherlands Royal Navy

Blueye Robotics, together with local partner RVI Tools, has secured a major international contract to supply underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to the Netherlands Royal Navy.The ROV systems will be delivered with advanced capabilities tailored for military engineers and mine countermeasure (MCM) teams.The awarded contract highlights the increasing demand for compact, user-friendly underwater systems to support complex military operations in inshore and coastal environments.

Aker Solutions, Kongsberg Discovery Partner on Offshore Drone Detection

Aker Solutions and Kongsberg Discovery have teamed up to deploy a drone detection system aimed at protecting offshore infrastructure, beginning with a demonstrator at Aker Solutions’ site in Stavanger.The system uses Kongsberg’s Drone Detection Radar and is part of a broader plan to roll out surveillance technologies across the North Sea to bolster situational awareness around energy assets and transit lanes.Kongsberg Discovery develops navigation…

The Information Age is Transforming Fishing Worldwide

People in the world’s developed nations live in a post-industrial era, working mainly in service or knowledge industries. Manufacturers increasingly rely on sensors, robots, artificial intelligence and machine learning to replace human labor or make it more efficient. Farmers can monitor crop health via satellite and apply pesticides and fertilizers with drones.Commercial fishing, one of the oldest industries in the world, is a stark exception.

Ocean Geophysics Teams Up for EdgeTech on Seabed Data Processing

Offshore energy industry suppliers Ocean Geophysics has partnered with EdgeTech, a specialist in underwater technology solutions, to deliver advanced data processing software for EdgeTech’s newly launched eBOSS (Enhanced Buried Object Scanning System).The collaboration, established as a non-exclusive partnership, combines EdgeTech’s decades of hardware innovation with Ocean Geophysics’ expertise in…

UK Firm Seeks Suppliers to Build Full-Scale Tidal Energy Prototype

Tidal Technologies Limited (TTL) has launched a procurement process for the equipment supply, manufacturing and installation of components for its first full-scale tidal energy prototype.The procurement process is for the build out of TTL’s next-generation offshore tidal stream energy platform (TT2).TT2 aims to drastically reduce the operation and maintenance costs of tidal turbines while improving…

QYSEA + Water Linked: Mini DVL Makes a Big Impression on Small ROVs

QYSEA and Water Linked have partnered to equip QYSEA’s Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) with cutting edge underwater positioning sensors. The Water Linked A50 Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), touted by its maker as the world’s smallest DVL, will be the standard fit for QYSEA’s FIFISH V6 EXPERT, PRO V6 PLUS and PRO W6 ROVs moving forward.Following extensive evaluation of the A50 DVL, QYSEA placed an initial order for 10 units.

Polarcus Seismic Vessel Refit Completed

Portugal’s Navalrocha shipyard said it has completed a multimillion-euro repair and refit project for Dubai-based marine geophysical company Polarcus.The drydock project which completed in January 2020 involved a broad package of work to the ultra-modern 14 streamer 3D/4D seismic vessel – Polarcus Naila.The vessel is environmentally advanced with diesel-electric propulsion, high specification catalytic converters…

Mini DVL Makes a Big Impression on Small ROVs

Underwater technology companies QYSEA and Water Linked have partnered up to equip QYSEA’s Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) with cutting edge underwater positioning sensors. The Water Linked A50 Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), touted as the world’s smallest DVL, will be the standard fit for QYSEA’s FIFISH V6 EXPERT, PRO V6 PLUS and PRO W6 ROVs moving forward.Following extensive evaluation of the A50 DVL, QYSEA placed an initial order for 10 units.