Florida News

Viking Yacht Company is evaluating WhaleSpotter, an artificial intelligence (AI) whale detection system, aboard its new Viking 70 Convertible demonstration vessel. The technology uses thermal imaging and AI to identify whales ahead of moving vessels, providing captains with advance warning to help prevent collisions.Installed by Viking subsidiary Atlantic Marine Electronics, the system features a thermal camera and processing computer mounted on the yacht's tuna tower. A tablet at the helm displays thermal imagery…

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri, received the National Italian American Foundation's (NIAF) Dea Roma Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership in Maritime Industry during the organization's 51st Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.The award marks the first time NIAF has recognized an executive specifically for leadership and achievements in the international maritime industry.NIAF cited Folgiero's role in strengthening…

Rozema Boat Works, Inc., of Mount Vernon, Washington, won a contract for the construction of a 56-ft. pilot transfer vessel for the Tampa Bay Pilots Association, based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Designed by Camarc Design, the all-aluminum vessel features a refined double-chine hull optimized for efficient, reliable performance and safe pilot transfer operations in a wide range of operating conditions.The vessel will be powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 diesel engines rated at 715 horsepower at 2100rpm.

Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC), a U.S. provider of fully autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs), announced that the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) is acquiring an undisclosed number of Devil Ray T24 autonomous surface vessels. The sale represents one of the most significant international purchases of U.S.-manufactured USVs to date.The opportunity was made possible through the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by MARTAC, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), and Confucian Co., Ltd.

US natural gas futures held steady on Tuesday as bearish forecasts for milder weather and less demand over the next two weeks than previously expected offset a bullish drop in daily output to an eight-month low.Front-month gas futures for November delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) rose 0.2 cent, or 0.1%, to $3.169 per million British thermal units.Financial firm LSEG said average gas output in the US Lower 48 states slid from record highs of 113.3 bcfd in August…

SEA.AI, a provider of maritime machine vision, announced the integration of its technology on MARTAC unmanned surface vessels. MARTAC, a Florida-based manufacturer of autonomous maritime platforms, has selected SEA.AI's system as part of its sensor integration architecture, adding autonomous visual intelligence to its fleet across ISR, security, and patrol mission profiles. MARTAC’s fleet of scalable, battle-hardened autonomous USV platforms include the MANTAS T12, Devil Ray T18…

US natural gas futures held near a two-week high on Thursday as a bigger-than-expected storage build last week offset the drop in output in recent days as energy firms reduced flows on offshore Gulf of Mexico pipelines ahead of Hurricane Isaias.Front-month gas futures for November delivery <NGc1> on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 1.1 cents, or 0.3%, to $3.192 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). On Wednesday, the contract closed at its highest level since September…

Northwest Florida has long been defined by its connection to the water. Home to Naval Air Station Pensacola, the Port of Pensacola and a growing network of marine manufacturers, defense contractors and emerging technology companies, the region is an important center for maritime innovation. As Northwest Florida’s maritime industry continues to grow, the University of West Florida is helping shape its future through research, workforce development and industry collaboration with its Watercraft and Vessel Engineering…

Crowley and Junior Achievement Americas (JAA) are expanding career opportunities for students in Puerto Rico, helping connect young people with careers in maritime transportation, logistics and supply chain management vital to the island's economy.The collaboration pairs Crowley's industry expertise with JAA's readiness programs, helping students explore career paths, develop workplace skills and understand how trade and global supply chains support communities and economic growth.As part of this initiative…

Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC) announced a manufacturing partnership with fellow Florida-based boatbuilder SŌLACE Boats, a partnership designed to enable MARTAC to scale production of its Devil Ray USV platforms by 100 vessels per year, meeting increasing demand signals from U.S. and allied-nation governments as well as supporting national security operations. SŌLACE Boats has an established reputation for designing and building high-performance and high-strength boats.

All American Marine (AAM) announced the delivery of a 78-foot aluminum research vessel commissioned by the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Following successful sea trials at AAM’s Bellingham, WA facility, R/V Osprey has arrived in Florida and is currently making her way up the coast to her home port of Wilmington, NC. There, she will support UNCW’s faculty, students, and research partners conducting scientific and educational missions along the Mid-Atlantic, U.S.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a $665 million investment to modernize ferry infrastructure for the communities who rely on these transit systems to work and move goods.From inland waterway dock expansions to brand-new passenger ferries, the Department selected 23 projects in 14 states and the United States Virgin Islands, including: $153,406,928 to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities to replace a 50-year-old passenger vessel that connects smaller communities in Southeast Alaska.$7…

Two slicks have appeared in Iranian waters, satellite imagery and video verified by Reuters show, as tit-for-tat attacks on oil tankers and other vessels by Iran and the United States spark concerns about environmental damage to the Gulf.A potential environmental disaster is already unfolding off Oman outside of the Strait of Hormuz where a grounded tanker, the Caroline Bezengi, is leaking Russian crude oil in a protected marine area and has created a massive slick some estimates put at 2…

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) is delivering $35.1 million to invest in critical infrastructure and workforce development at 45 shipyards across 24 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program received a 300% increase in funding in 2026.Projects examples include:$1,007,678 to Gulf Marine Repair Corporation in Tampa, Florida, for training center equipment, wheel loaders and upgrades to three berths in its south slip.$1,000,000 to Robert E. Derecktor, Inc.

Jones Walker LLP welcomed Nick Primrose as special counsel in the Government Relations Practice Group in the firm’s Tallahassee office. Nick works with businesses, public agencies, and industry organizations whose success depends on effective engagement with federal, state, and local governments. He helps clients monitor legislative and regulatory developments, assess legal and policy risk, engage decision-makers, and pursue growth opportunities in heavily regulated industries…

A few months ago, I authored an article for Marine News focused on just one of the many successful features of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA 90,” Pub. L. No. 101-380 (1990)) — Alaska’s regional citizen advisory councils (RCACs). The Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet RCACs were established under OPA 90 to work with oil and gas industry interests on behalf of the surrounding communities to ensure safe operations and community buy-in. I was heartened by the positive responses I received from friends…

Ships and aircraft participating in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 conducted a planned, live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) and sank decommissioned USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), July 12, 2026, and decommissioned USS Peleliu (LHA 5), July 17. Mobile Bay and Peleliu were sunk in waters 15,000 feet deep, more than 50 nautical miles off the northern coast of the island of Kauai.During the SINKEXs, participating units from Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the U.S.

A Key Locking the Courthouse Doors Unless Precisely and Appropriately TargetedThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s May 2026 ruling in Hill v. Jackson Offshore1 makes it clear: broadly challenging an arbitration agreement won’t get you into court. If there’s a delegation clause, you must aim directly at it first and separately.What HappenedSeaman Jeremiah Hill was severely injured on an offshore supply vessel in April 2023. During recovery, Jackson Offshore’s CEO provided the required maintenance and cure…

The U.S. Coast Guard has accepted delivery of the 63rd Fast Response Cutter (FRC), Jeffrey Palazzo (WPC 1163).Jeffrey Palazzo is the fifth FRC to be homeported in Guam, joining the recently commissioned Vincent Danz (WPC 1162).The Sentinel-class FRCs replaced the 1980s Island-class 110-foot patrol boats and possess 21st-century command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment, with improved habitability and seakeeping.The U.S.

Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed Legend of the Seas. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the third Icon Class ship is now ready to make its July 2026 European debut.To mark the milestone, more than 1,200 crew members and partners came together for a legendary ceremony led by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.The delivery is part of the company’s long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku…

Connecticut Maritime Association has decided to move its annual meeting and exposition to Houston for the coming year. In the last few years attendance has shrunk and I suppose leadership thinks that Houston has more potential to draw interest from the maritime community. This leaves me to wonder what the “Maritime Community” actually is.Connecticut Maritime Association had an interesting origin. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s many bulk ship owner/operators got sick of the long commute into New York City and decided to move their offices to Stamford Connecticut…

Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC), a provider of fully autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs), announced the opening of the MARTAC Innovation Center West in San Diego, California. The new facility marks a milestone in the company’s expansion, strengthening its ability to serve defense, security and commercial customers across the West Coast and Pacific regions.The MARTAC Innovation Center West will serve as a hub for research, development, testing and customer engagement, complementing MARTAC’s headquarters in Melbourne, Florida. San Diego’s deep ties to the U.S.

On June 1, Robert J. Harvey of Florida was sworn in as a Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission.Harvey was nominated by President Trump on September 3, 2025, to serve on the Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2029. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on May 18, 2026, and President Trump appointed him to the Commission on May 28, 2026.Harvey previously served as the President and Executive Director of the Florida Opportunity Fund, a not-for-profit corporation investing in Florida-based start-up companies in life sciences…