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Wednesday, December 17, 2025

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South Korean submarine contractors jailed for leaking information

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 17, 2025

A South Korean court has found two contractors who worked on Taiwan's sub programme guilty of leaking torpedo-launching system designs. The ruling called the case a "diplomatic burden" that could be placed on?Seoul. According to the ruling, on Tuesday…

Kawasaki Heavy CEO: Japan's military buildup will propel defence sales over forecast.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 17, 2025

The accelerating Japanese defence spending is likely to boost Kawasaki Heavy Industries' sales in the upcoming years above their projections, said its CEO on Wednesday, as contractors profit from an unprecedented military buildup. Sanae Takaichi…

MSC Cruises places order for Meyer Werft worth 10 billion Euros

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 15, 2025

The German Economy Minister announced on Monday that the state-rescued German shipbuilder Meyer Werft had secured a major order worth up to ten billion euros ($11.7?billion) with Swiss cruise operator?MSC Cruises. This will ensure capacity utilization through the mid-2030s.

South Korea will woo China's Xi at the APEC closing summit

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 1, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-day trip to South Korea will conclude on Saturday, with a dinner and summit hosted at President Lee Jae Myung's home. The newly elected U.S. ally has promised to balance Seoul’s ties to Beijing. Lee's stakes are high.

Australia approves Hanwha’s greater stake in Austal, but with strict conditions

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

Australia announced on Friday that it would not oppose Hanwha's proposal to nearly double the stake of Austal in Australia, but there will be strict conditions regarding data access and security. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated that the decision…

Hanwha of South Korea and Vatn, a US-based defense startup, will build underwater drones

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 10, 2025

The South Korean shipping giant Hanwha Group and U.S. defense start-up Vatn Systems have teamed up to develop autonomous underwater drones (AUU) for the U.S. Navy. This is the latest bilateral effort by the two companies to counter China's expanding naval presence.

After a hot streak, defense companies backed by Silicon Valley are experiencing growing pains

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 8, 2025

The share of Pentagon contracts held by U.S. Defense Technology companies has roughly doubled over the last year. However, they are still facing growing pains in their efforts to transform from startups to heavyweights that can build weapons at scale.

Norway buys two additional submarines and long-range missiles

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 5, 2025

The Norwegian defence ministry announced on Friday that it plans to purchase two additional submarines and some long-range cannons from Germany. This will be at a higher price than previously due to the high demand for military gear. The order…

South Korea's fourth successful space rocket launch sends satellites in orbit

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 26, 2025

The Science Ministry announced that South Korea launched its fourth space rocket, Nuri, on Thursday, putting more than 12 satellites in orbit. This was the first joint launch with a private firm. South Korea launched the Nuri rocket program in 2021.

Poland selects Sweden to provide it with three subs

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 26, 2025

Poland announced on Wednesday that it had selected Sweden to provide it with three subs. The multi-billion dollar deal is a crucial element in Warsaw's effort to strengthen its defenses in the Baltic Sea. Warsaw is increasing its investments…

Sweden will decide early next year on a supplier for its new frigates

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 24, 2025

The defence minister announced on Monday that Sweden will select a supplier early next year for its multibillion-swedish crown purchase of four new frigates. Sweden has been preparing to expand its naval fleet in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As the peace plan for Ukraine gains momentum, European arms manufacturers retreat

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 21, 2025

The European Defence shares dropped to their lowest level since late August, halting their strong run in this year. This was after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that he is ready to work "honestly" on a U.S. backed plan to end Russia's war.

Fincantieri joins FTSE MIB, as defense stocks surge and replace Hera or DiaSorin

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 20, 2025

The Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will join Italy's blue chip stock index, FTSE MIB, for the first month next year, traders reported on Thursday. This move would strengthen the influence of defence amid a global rally fueled by geopolitical tensions.

South Korea's newly elected president, who was injured while working as a child, is cracking down on "workplaces that kill"

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 16, 2025

Kim Yong Ho, a South Korean Kim, thought he was going to die in seconds when a 200 kilogram (441 pound) industrial presses at a Hyundai steel plant exploded during maintenance. The press crushed Kim's legs and his back. Kim, in 2019, said that…

Details of the US-South Korea deal, including Korean investments in shipbuilding, are released

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 13, 2025

The White House announced that the U.S. released details of a deal with South Korea on Thursday. It included a Korean investment of $150 billion in the shipbuilding industry, which Washington had approved, and an additional $200 in Korean investment through a Memorandum of Understanding.

Fincantieri's core profit increases by 40% in nine-month period

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 12, 2025

The Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced on Wednesday that its core profit for the nine months ended September grew by 40%, largely due to growth across all its business segments. The group's revenue for its defence unit increased 39% year…

US streamlines Pentagon's weapon acquisition amid global threats

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 7, 2025

On Friday, U.S. Secretary Pete Hegseth will unveil major changes in the way the Pentagon buys weapons. This will allow the military to acquire technology more quickly as global threats grow. Hegseth will address industry leaders, military officers…

South Korean officials question the feasibility of building a nuclear submarine at US shipyards

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 6, 2025

Philly Shipyard, owned by South Korea in the United States, does not have the capacity to build ships at the moment. Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister of South Korea, said this on Thursday at a hearing in parliament. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, wrote on Twitter last week about his remarks.

Norwegian Cruise's forecast quarterly profit is below expectations due to economic slowdown and rising costs

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 4, 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' shares fell 11% on Tuesday after it forecasted a fourth-quarter profit that was below expectations, citing cost uncertainty and a reduced consumer appetite for sea vacations. After a surge in demand for cruises following the pandemic…

The RPT issues at stake during the summit between China’s Xi, and South Korea’s Lee

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 1, 2025

On Saturday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet for a bilateral summit. This is the first time the two leaders have met. It's also the first time Xi has visited his Asian neighbor in over ten years.