Build News

After spending about 3 billion dollars, the Constellation frigate program was shut down with absolutely nothing to show for it.The New York Times produced an Op-Ed titled “America can’t make what the Navy Needs.”That title may indicate the United States does not have the technical ability to build ships for the US Navy. However, the article itself clearly shows that the issue relates to the Navy not being able to figure out what it wants US shipbuilders to build.The Navy wanted US shipbuilders to build a standard design.

Turkey and Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation during a visit by President Tayyip Erdogan to Addis Ababa on Tuesday, the Turkish Energy Ministry said, adding the accord would lead to joint production and projects.Erdogan held a one-day visit to Addis Ababa on Tuesday upon Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's invitation, his first to Ethiopia in 11 years.The accord was signed at a ceremony after talks between the two leaders. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan…

Two American defense firms are striking a strategic agreement to build a high-tech "wall of steel" to support the US Navy, commercial shipping and offshore operations in the Caribbean and Gulf of America.The partnership sees South Carolina-headquartered marine autonomy specialist Janus Marine & Defense join forces with New Mexico-based US Department of War RF Systems contractor Raven Defense Corporation. The "wall of steel" will protect offshore energy infrastructure, ports, and critical maritime corridors, reducing reliance on, and risk to, manned vessels.

In December of 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the award of two contracts to build up to six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers. The announcement declaring the vessels would be built between the United States and Finland in a major step forward for America’s national security in the Arctic region. The decision process encompassed more than the security of the Arctic passage. It announces a major shift in the U.S. Shipbuilding process. A second round of contracts were approved February 11…

MacGregor has been selected to supply cargo access solutions and deck machinery for four new major vessels under BC Ferries’ fleet renewal program.The next-generation vessels, to be built at China Merchants Industry (CMI) Weihai Shipyard, are designed as diesel-battery hybrid, all-electric ready ships intended for BC Ferries’ busiest routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland in Canada.MacGregor will provide the cargo access equipment along with a dedicated Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) package.

Yanmar Power Solutions has acquired a site in Amagasaki City, Japan, to conduct test runs of marine hydrogen engines.The company says it will develop and build powertrains that can be used with next-generation fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, at the new facility.The complex will enable the company to reorganize its production system, including existing factories, and strengthen its capabilities. It is scheduled to begin operations around March 2029.

Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Commission awarded a contract for the construction and outfitting of a new 75-car passenger/vehicle ferry to SENESCO Marine LLC of North Kingstown, RI. The project low bid was $78.6 million.The new ferry will eventually replace the MV Cape Henlopen, an over 40-year-old diesel engine ferry that currently serves passengers who travel between Lewes, Delaware, and Cape May, New Jersey. DRBA Executive Director Joel Coppadge realizes the historical…

For more than a decade, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division has invested in regional schools through STEM events, robotics competitions and technology donations, recognizing that the next generation of scientists and engineers is already sitting in today’s classrooms.On Feb. 13 and 14, NSWCDD will host its annual Innovation Challenge at Dahlgren, called IC@D for short, for middle and high schoolers at the Fredericksburg Convention Center. The invitation-only event will…

U.S. autonomous vessel developer Saronic is moving to integrate physical AI-driven welding robotics into its Louisiana shipyard operations, launching a collaboration with Path Robotics aimed at accelerating production and modernizing American shipbuilding.The initiative will begin at Saronic’s Franklin, Louisiana facility, where intelligent welding cells will combine Path Robotics’ AI-enabled welding models with Saronic’s in-house team of welders. The goal is to increase throughput…

Two mothers, their family’s part of the larger Durban community involved in the pleasure yacht industry, are helping to build a legacy for Paige Bell. At age 20, Bell was tragically murdered while working onboard a superyacht in the Bahamas.The two mothers, Charni Johnson and Nikki Coetzer, are working to help other superyacht crewmembers worldwide understand the risks, their rights, and their responsibilities – in her memory.“In the weeks that followed Paige’s death, Paige’s mother came to my home,” said Nikki.

Ventus Industrial Partners, a US-based private equity firm specializing in sectors critical to national security, announced the formation of Aeron Defense and the acquisitions of General Tool Company (GTC) and Magna Machine Company, in partnership with GenNx360 Capital Partners and Admiralty Partners.GTC and Magna were founded together by the Kramer family and are reuniting under the GTC name. Magna has expertise in large-part machining and turnkey large functional assemblies and will become GTC’s fourth manufacturing site.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) Advisory has been appointed by Geneva-based LPG trader and shipowner Geogas to support the development of a multi-year emissions compliance plan and operationalization of FuelEU pooling, as it prepares for the first compliance cycle of FuelEU Maritime.Under the agreement, LR Advisory will provide insight into the commercial implications of current and forthcoming emissions regulations, alongside targeted knowledge transfer to build internal capability. The…

New Zealand has shortlisted contractors to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to boost energy security, provide a reliable backup power source and support economic growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts said on Monday.The government aims to sign a contract by the middle of this year for an import facility in Taranaki, on the country's North Island, that would be ready to receive LNG in 2027 or early 2028.The model will allow LNG to be imported in large shipments and only when needed…

PaxOcean, a part of Kuok Maritime Group (KMG), has opened a new S$200 million shipyard at 5 Jalan Samulun (5JS).The shipyard, situated in the Jurong Industrial Estate, spans 17.26 hectares and features two large graving docks, one floating dock, expanded quayside capacity, and dedicated, integrated workshops to support complex and high-value maritime and offshore assets. The build took two years and was jointly supported by JTC Corporation (JTC) and Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).5JS replaces PaxOcean’s previous location at 33 Tuas Crescent.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has further enhanced its capabilities in China with the announcement of three new senior appointments. Tianxiang Li (TX), LR’s Director of Global Technical Support Office (TSO), has been appointed as President for Greater China. He will lead senior client relationships and strategic engagement, strengthening alignment between LR’s global technical leadership and the priorities of Chinese owners, yards and designers. TX joined LR in 2008 and held leadership positions in the Technical Support Office since 2011.

Anschütz has claimed a new benchmark in naval navigation with its SYNAPSIS WECDIS NX, a system with a powerful mix of navigational and tactical functions.SYNAPSIS brings all navigational and tactical information together into one consistent picture so that navigators interact with a single, harmonised platform.One of the key capabilities of SYNAPSIS WECDIS NX is its robust GNSS interference handling. This is something that Anschütz pioneered with the development of the gyrocompass by Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe…

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), India’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, won a defense export order from the Government of Sultanate of Oman to supply a state-of-the-art training ship. The vessel that will support the Royal Navy of Oman’s (RNO) advanced naval training and maritime operations, is expected to be delivered within 18 months.Measuring 104.25 x 13.88m and displacement of up to 3500T, the training vessel will be equipped with modern classrooms, training offices and accommodation facilities.

Maybe it is a human trait, or maybe a Washington, D.C. trait, but when confronted with a difficult problem with unpalatable solutions, there is usually an impulse to delay the moment of difficult decision by ordering a study. The U.S. merchant marine industry is the poster child for this behavior. The industry has been studied and studied, and is currently being studied, but studies don’t build ships -- shipyards build ships.Going back to the Lynch Committee in 1870, the U.S. government has regularly produced studies on how to revive the U.S. merchant marine.

Tim Mooney is the third-generation family member at the helm of the iconic Fire Island Ferries. While the company’s primary focus has been moving people to and fro, from the Long Island, NY mainland to the Fire Island barrier communities and beaches, the business has evolved and grown since its start in 1948 via acquisition and organic growth. Mooney discuss the assets, the people and the priorities to safely, efficiently keep his cumulative operation of moving about one million people annually in good order.There are ferry operators…

Financial support from federal and state agencies helped Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, in undertaking capital projects that have made its shipyard operations more efficient and safer.With a Small Shipyard Grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the yard replaced heavy bi-fold doors on its 12,000 square foot Walker St. facility. It took two cranes and as many as six employees to open the doors, explained Peter Duclos, shipyard co-president and director of business development.

Stena Line has decided to close the ferry route between Halmstad in Sweden and Grenaa in Denmark. The vessel Stena Nautica will continue to operate the route until April 30,2026.“The reason for this decision is that we have faced significant challenges in achieving profitability on the route over a long period of time. By concentrating our investments on routes with clear demand, we can support both commercial transport and passenger travel more efficiently, while at the same time strengthening the long-term resilience of our route network.

Trident Maritime Systems, a major supplier to the U.S. Navy, has partnered with Gecko Robotics to deploy advanced manufacturing technologies that expand production of the fleet’s essential components.Across 20 fabrication facilities responsible for mission-critical parts to fully integrated shipboard systems, AI and robotics will increase throughput by at least 40% in support of the Navy’s growing shipbuilding and sustainment demands.Gecko and Trident will bring new digital and robotic capabilities to increase capacity within legacy manufacturing environments…

A U.S. judge on Monday will consider a request from Danish energy company Orsted to block the Trump administration's halt on its Sunrise Wind project off the coast of New York.The preliminary injunction request is the fifth brought by an offshore wind developer since the Interior Department's December 22 pause on five offshore wind leases in federal waters. The agency stopped work on the multi-billion-dollar facilities due to national security concerns around radar interference.Orsted has spent or committed more than $7 billion to date to build Sunrise Wind, the company said in a court filing.