Coast Guard Launches Operation River Wall Along the Rio Grande
The Coast Guard announced the deployment of additional forces to the Rio Grande River in eastern Texas, starting on October 9, 2025, to ensure operational control of the border where the President has declared a national emergency. This surge operation – known as Operation River Wall – will bolster ongoing Coast Guard efforts to control, secure and defend approximately 260 miles of the Rio Grande River that makes up the U.S. border there.
Sparton Marks 125 Years in Maritime Defense Technologies
Sparton DeLeon Springs, LLC, a leader in and manufacturer of maritime defense solutions, is honoring its 125th anniversary this year. Founded in 1900 as The Withington Company, Sparton has grown from a small Michigan manufacturer into a defense contractor specializing in sonobuoys, advanced undersea warfare technologies, and beyond. Sparton was acquired by Elbit Systems of America, LLC in 2021.Sparton…
Nuclear-Powered Ships on Distant Course to Net-Zero Horizon, DNV Finds
Growing environmental pressures are reviving interest in nuclear propulsion as a potential long-term route to decarbonize shipping, DNV said in a new paper, despite there being no civilian nuclear-powered vessels built for more than four decades.DNV’s latest report, Maritime nuclear propulsion: Technologies, commercial viability, and regulatory challenges for nuclear-powered vessels, highlights how maritime nuclear technologies differ from land-based reactors…
Navigating the Limits: Columbia River Pilots Confront Big Ships, Tight Channels
Columbia River Pilots is an association of independent pilots, a unique organization that uses a network of pilots and independent boats to manage a long stretch of river in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Capt. Jeremy Nielsen serves as President, Columbia River Pilots, and in addressing the challenges his organization faces, leading the list are the maritime megatrend that sees vessel size outpacing infrastructure along the river…
Lloyd’s Register, DYNAMARINe Launch Audit Scheme for STS Transfer Ops
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has entered into strategic collaboration with Greece-based DYNAMARINe to launch an independent auditing program aimed at improving the safety, transparency and performance of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations worldwide.Under the new framework, LR’s auditors will assess STS service providers in line with standards set by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) guidelines, while also reviewing risk data and operational records compiled by DYNAMARINe.
Vard Picks SMST to Supply Equipment for North Star’s New SOVs
Dutch offshore equipment supplier SMST has secured a new contract from Norwegian shipbuilder Vard for the delivery of two sets of mission equipment to be installed on an additional two of North Star’s newbuild Service Operation Vessels (SOVs).These vessels are part of a long-term charter agreement between shipowner and operator North Star and energy company RWE.SMST previously supplied similar equipment for the first two CSOVs…
Delivery of Next-Gen Subsea Vessel from Turkish Shipyard Hits Delay
The delivery of the next-generation construction support vessel (CSV), under construction at Turkish Sefine Shipyard for Norway’s Eidesvik Offshore and Agalas, has been delayed for later in 2026.The delivery of the CSV, which will feature a battery hybrid system and be capable of operating on methanol, has been rescheduled from early 2026 to the third quarter of the same year.The vessel, named Viking Vigor, will be owned by an entity to be named Eidesvik Agalas AS, where Eidesvik will be the maj
US Exports Record Levels of Natural Gas to Mexico
U.S. natural gas pipeline exports to Mexico averaged 7.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in May 2025, the most of any month on record as Mexico's demand for natural gas increases, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Monday.On an annual basis, U.S. natural gas pipeline exports to Mexico averaged 6.4 bcfd in 2024, a 25% increase compared with 2019 and the highest on record in data going back as early as 1975…
Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 Loads Another Tanker
A liquefied natural gas tanker has left Russia's Arctic LNG 2 after loading a cargo there, according to data compiled by LSEG and analytics firm Kpler, as the project continues output despite Western sanctions over Moscow's war in Ukraine.The Christophe De Margerie tanker arrived at Arctic LNG 2 on October 17 and departed loaded on October 20, according to Kpler data. Shipping database Equasis lists the tanker's registered owner as Zelitiko Shipping…
Maersk Tests Brazilian Ethanol Mix
Danish shipping company Maersk is testing a blend of Brazilian ethanol with methanol and marine diesel for its vessel engines as part of its efforts to further decarbonize operations, the company announced on Monday.The initiative could open a new market for Brazil's ethanol industry while helping to reduce the maritime shipping sector's carbon footprint, which currently accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.Maersk…
Intellian Launches two Iridium Certus GMDSS Systems
Satellite communication solution providers Intellian Technologies and Iridium Communications have launched Intellian’s new Iridium Certus® GMDSS Systems.The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally mandated safety system established by the IMO. It is estimated that over 80,000 vessels worldwide are required to be GMDSS compliant.Designed to fully leverage the power of Iridium Certus GMDSS…
Chung Kisun Promoted to Chairman of HD Hyundai
HD Hyundai’s Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun has been promoted to Chairman.Chung holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Yonsei University and an MBA from Stanford University in the United States. He began his career in 2009 in the Finance Team of the Corporate Planning Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Since then, he has served as Head of Management Support at HD Hyundai, Head of Ship Sales at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries…
US, Australia Sign Critical Minerals Agreement, Back Submarine Deal
U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical minerals agreement aimed at countering China on Monday at a meeting marked by Trump's jab at Australia's envoy to the United States over past criticism.China loomed large at the first White House summit between Trump and Albanese, with the U.S. president also backing a strategic nuclear-powered submarine deal…
Alaska LNG Pipeline Study Will Be Completed This Year
The backers of a proposed 800-mile (1,287 km) gas pipeline in Alaska championed by U.S. President Donald Trump expect to complete a key engineering and cost study by the end of this year, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Monday.The ambitious proposal to transport gas from Alaska's far north to the Gulf of Alaska has been talked about for decades but has received new impetus under Trump, who has sought to boost U.S. development of fossil fuels.The pipeline is a joint venture between U.S.
HII Hosts HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Leaders to Advance Joint Goals of MoU
HII hosted leaders from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division this month for a three-day engagement to advance joint goals of the memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in April. During the visit, leaders from HII and HHI exchanged insights on shipbuilding technology and manufacturing processes, discussing both commercial and military shipbuilding opportunities.During the visit…
iNav4U Launches Yacht Management and Navigation Platform
iNav4U, creators of Zora The Operational System for Yachts, has announced a new collaboration with Aqua Map, a leader in digital marinenavigation. iNav4U is delivering the first fully integrated, end-to-end platform that unifies yacht management, operations, and navigation in one system. By embedding Aqua Map’s advanced marine charts directly into Zora, captains and yacht owners gain real-time situational awareness and advanced vessel management tools…
Maritime Voices: Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots
The Houston Ship Channel is one of the nation’s busiest and most vibrant shipping lanes, a key corridor for energy and chemicals. Keeping operations running smoothly involves the Houston Pilots, facilitating more than 20,000 vessel assists each year. Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots, discusses the organization in the round, explaining how the Houston operation remains one of three in the country that still utilizes station boat.
Replacement vs. Retrofit: What’s Trending in the Dredging Market
In a year marked by uncertainty, the dredging industry remains resilient, adapting to evolving challenges with steady progress.As we look toward 2026, the outlook for dredging services and equipment remains strong, with the market projected to rise from $8.9 billion to $9.3 billion—a 4.5% year-over-year improvement.Yet, as demand grows and expectations shift, industry operators must ask a more nuanced…
Maritime Recruitment Webinar: How Much Does "Connectivity" Matter
As the maritime industry globally seeks to attract and retain crews, onboard amenities including seamless connectivity for gains in importance.Sign up now to listen in on the webinar "Crewed Up or Crew Cut? Rethinking retention and recruitment at sea," with insights from three leading U.S. Shipowners -- Crowley Maritime, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) and Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) -- discuss their experience with what works…
TKMS Enjoys Defense Boom in Stock Market Debut
Warship builder TKMS rode a global defence boom to reach a valuation of 6.3 billion euros ($7.35 billion) in its blockbuster stock market debut on Monday, surpassing that of parent and main shareholder Thyssenkrupp.The listing of TKMS is the German conglomerate's latest move to simplify its structure and take advantage of growing demand for defence assets.Shares in Thyssenkrupp, which will keep a 51% stake in TKMS after the spin-off…
