Corvus Energy Battery System Powers Trapananda Electric Tugboat
SAAM, the largest towage operator in the Americas, has introduced Trapananda, the first fully electric tugboat in Latin America, developed in partnership with Chile’s national oil company Enap. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL), built by Sanmar Shipyards, and powered by a Corvus Energy lithium-ion battery system, the tug will operate at Puerto Chacabuco in southern Chile.Measuring 25m with a 70-ton bollard pull, Trapananda will assist vessel maneuvers under challenging harbor conditions.
Oceanbird Launches Wing 560
Oceanbird launched its first rigid wing sail, the Wing 560, on August 25, 2025. Aside from being a new landmark in Landskrona, Southern Sweden, it will be an important site for crew training, customers visits and optimization of the automation system. The Oceanbird company was formed 3.5 years ago as a joint venture between Alfa Laval and Wallenius Lines. Since then, the team has developed a rigid, 40-meter high and 14-meter-wide wing sail.
Wärtsilä to Integrate Battery Extension for Wasaline Ferry
Wärtsilä has been selected as the electrical integrator for a major battery extension project for the Wasaline ROPAX ferry "Aurora Botnia." The project will increase the ship’s battery capacity by 10.4 MWh, from 2.2 MWh to 12.6 MWh, making it the world’s largest marine battery hybrid system in operation. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q3 2025.In the transition to more sustainable ferry transportation…
ABS Certifies World’s Largest Classed Unmanned Surface Vehicle
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued classification to the Surveyor, a fully autonomous deepwater unmanned surface vehicle (USV), developed by Saildrone.At 20 meters long and capable of unmanned operations across all of the world’s oceans, the Surveyor is the largest class of USVs from Saildrone, a provider of maritime security, ocean mapping, and meteorological and oceanographic data using unmanned autonomous assets.The USV is capable of long-endurance missions in the open ocean…
Seatrium Signs FLNG Vessel Upgrade Deal for Golar LNG
Seatrium has secured a contract from Golar Hilli Corporation, a subsidiary of Golar LNG, to perform the upgrading of floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit Hilli Episeyo.Scheduled to enter the yard in the third quarter of 2026, the project involves technical modifications for FLNG Hilli Episeyo’s redeployment.The scope of work includes engineering and procurement of long-lead items, repair and life extension and winterization of the vessel…
Port Houston taps Incat Crowther for Hybrid Electric Tour Vessel Design
International digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther has been selected by Port Houston in the United States to design a new, hybrid electric, tour vessel for the port’s Houston Ship Channel tours.Incat Crowther will partner with Louisiana-based shipbuilder Breaux Brothers on the project, meaning the new vessel will be both designed and constructed in the United States.The new 22-metre vessel will replace the near 70-year old M/V Sam Houston…
Hanwha Pledges $5B to Upgrade Philly Shipyard’s Capacity
Hanwha Group has announced a $5 billion infrastructure plan for Hanwha Philly Shipyard as part of South Korea’s commitment to supporting growth of the U.S. shipbuilding industry through a $150 billion investment fund.The $5 billion program will be dedicated to the installation of two additional docks, and three quays to increase capacity. Hanwha is also reviewing the build-out of a new block assembly facility.Through this expansion…
US-Korea Shipbuilding Cooperation Set to Advance with Latest Merger
South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's biggest shipbuilder, said on Wednesday that it plans to merge with its affiliate HD Hyundai Mipo as it targets a bigger slice of the U.S. shipbuilding market.With the merger, the company said it aims to lead U.S.-Korea shipbuilding cooperation projects touted during a recent summit between the leaders of the countries that Seoul has dubbed "Make…
Tidewater Welcomes Coulston Van Gundy
Tidewater has appointed Coulston (Cole) Van Gundy Vice President of Shipyard and Terminal Operations.Van Gundy brings more than 19 years of maritime industry experience to Tidewater. He joins from Crowley, where he most recently served as Vice President of Engineering, leading the engineering services group responsible for civil and marine design, engineering, and construction management for internal and external clients.Over his career…
State of Maine Multi-Mission Vessel Named at Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has celebrated the christening of the State of Maine, the third of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV), at Hanwha Philly Shipyard.Built for Maine Maritime Academy, the State of Maine will serve as a next generation training ship, supporting both the academic development of cadets and America’s humanitarian relief.MARAD is replacing aging training vessels from the National Defense Reserve Fleet with new…
GCMD Trial Authenticates Biofuel Tracers
The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has released a new report describing the world’s first field validation of tracer technologies in marine biofuel supply chains.Conducted in Singapore, Rotterdam, and other major bunkering hubs, the trials demonstrated that tracers can be integrated into existing marine biofuel supply chain practices without disrupting operations or compromising…
Terminal Portuario de Guayaquil Training Simulators Boost Efficiency, Safety
Terminal Portuario de Guayaquil (TPG), a Hanseatic Global Terminals port, is incorporating simulators that raise the standard for staff training, improve safety and optimize operational efficiency. With the equipment, training takes place in a virtual environment that replicates actual conditions without interrupting normal operations.TPG's General Manager, Luisenrique Navas, called these simulators a qualitative leap for training…
DFDS Expands Services on Baltic Ferry Routes
DFDS and TT Line have entered into a space charter agreement on three ferry routes in the Baltic Sea. With the agreement, DFDS will increase the number of sailings offered between Klaipeda and Karlshamn, as well as bring new services to Trelleborg and Travemünde.Passenger and freight customers will be able to book all services connecting to and from Klaipeda, regardless of which of the two ferry companies…
Rolls-Royce Supplies mtu Series 4000 Engines for New Catalina Express Ferry
Rolls-Royce has been selected by Catalina Express of San Pedro, CA (USA) to supply the marine propulsion system for its new high-capacity ferry. The 500-passenger vessel, which will be the largest in the Catalina Express fleet upon completion, will be powered by four mtu 12V4000 M65L engines, delivering a combined output of over 7463 kW (10,000 bhp). The new ferry is part of the Port of Los Angeles’ $31 million LA MER project, which is funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
WSF Ferry Wenatchee Suffers Electrical Issue
Sea trials on the Washington State Ferries (WSF) ferry Wenatchee (2,500 passengers, 200 vehicles) got off to a bad start last week, as WSF reports "investigation by our technicians and engine crew discovered last week the control system communication wires were creating intermittent instability which caused the drive motors to go offline."Invariably, problems crop up during most every vessel's shakedown…
RMC Commences Production of Third Multi-Purpose Corvette for the Finnish Navy
Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), together with its subsidiary RMC Defence Oy, is building four Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes for the Finnish Navy as part of the Squadron 2020 project. The high-performance multi-purpose corvettes are designed for the varying conditions of the Baltic Sea, including ice operations. The corvettes are built in a closed special facility constructed specifically for the project to guarantee the required level of security and quality.
Brunvoll Mar-El Selected as System Integrator for Zero-Emission Ferry
Brunvoll Mar-El has signed a contract with Oma Baatbyggeri as system integrator and provider ofelectrical propulsion systems for a zero-emission catamaran ferry, commissioned by Rødne FjordCruise. The passenger and vehicle vessel will operate in the stunning Lysefjorden, Norway, with delivery set for June 2026.The delivery from Brunvoll includes full system integration through the Triton Electric & Hybrid solution…
UAL Introduces New Shuttle Service for Southern Caribbean
UAL has introduced the UAL Caribbean Shuttle, a fixed nine-day loop service linking Point Lisas in Trinidad & Tobago, Georgetown in Guyana, and Paramaribo in Suriname.The new service responds to increasing demand for reliable, multipurpose shipping options in the Southern Caribbean.The shuttle will be operated by the newly delivered mv UAL Transporter, a landing craft vessel with a shallow 5-meter draft at max loading capacity and a capacity of 387 TEU.Purpose-built for regional conditions…
Windcat Takes Delivery of First Elevation Series CSOV
Offshore crew transfer company Windcat has taken delivery of the Windcat Rotterdam, the first Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) in its new Elevation Series, developed with Damen Shipyards and CMB.TECH.Built at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, the 89-metre vessel marks a milestone in the company’s expansion from crew transfer operations into larger offshore service capabilities. The Windcat Rotterdam can accommodate up to 120 people and is designed to support construction…
New Acquisition Bolsters Straatman's Maritime Manufacturing Expertise
Straatman has acquired Kraaijeveld Winches, a Dutch company specializing in the design and production of winches and related equipment for dredging, offshore, and maritime applications.The acquisition marks a strategic step in Straatman’s long-term vision to strengthen its position in the maritime manufacturing industry by collaborating with other high-quality Dutch companies that have deep roots in Dutch maritime engineering and production.With Kraaijeveld joining the group…