Ocean Engineering News

When maritime autonomy is discussed, the image is often a large cargo ship crossing an ocean without a crew. That remains a longer-term regulatory and technical challenge. The more immediate commercial market is developing elsewhere – smaller uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are already surveying seabeds, inspecting pipelines and cables, monitoring offshore wind farms, and collecting hydrographic and geophysical data.Intelatus Global Partners identifies 825 USV…

ABS has signed two agreements with South Korean shipbuilding organizations aimed at advancing software-defined vessel technology and strengthening workforce development for the U.S. and Korean shipbuilding industries.The first agreement will see ABS Consulting and affiliate ABS Wavesight support HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) in developing its software-defined vessel (SDV) platform by providing software quality assurance advisory, verification and validation support.The collaboration is intended to help establish a framework for software quality…

The quest to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding capability quickly is premised on partnering with existing shipbuilding powers outside of China, with several recent announcements today solidifying the connection between the two allies.Four separate partnerships were recently announced, three today, underscoring a growing bilateral effort to rebuild America's maritime industrial base through investments in shipbuilding capacity, workforce development and advanced manufacturing technologies.The announcements, made in conjunction with the launch of the Korea-U.S.

ABS has awarded approval in principle (AIP) for a concept design for a nuclear-powered 15,000 TEU containership developed in collaboration with the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).Equipped with a small modular reactor (SMR), the concept is part of an ongoing joint development project with ABS, KRISO and KAERI to evaluate the technical feasibility of nuclear-powered commercial shipping. The vessel…

NYK and Graduate School of Engineering The University of Osaka Launch Joint R&D Initiative on Offshore Recovery Systems for Reusable RocketsNYK and the University of Osaka launched a collaboration on July 1, 2026, to advance an offshore recovery system for reusable rockets being developed by NYK under a Space Strategy Fund project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Through this collaboration, NYK and the University of Osaka will jointly advance research and development on offshore recovery vessels for reusable rockets and related systems.

The Marine Installations chapter of the Plastics Pipe Institute’s Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe has been updated to include more technical information and guidance for the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. “This revision significantly expands the technical depth and practical guidance for marine HDPE pipeline projects,” explained Alex LeBon, P.E., Marine Pipelines Division Manager for Makai Ocean Engineering (Hawaii). LeBon served as the primary author.“Our group made…

Robert Allan Ltd. has announced that Ms. Yufei Huang has earned her accreditation as a Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC).Yufei is a valued member of the Naval Architecture and Weight Engineering team at Robert Allan Ltd. and has been working with the company since 2022, where she has been involved in many aspects of ship design.Yufei holds a Bachelor of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the University of Strathclyde and a Masters in Naval Architecture from the University of British Columbia.In her spare time…

Ocean engineering researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a smart system to combat collisions between ships and stationary structures such as offshore platforms. By combining raw radar imaging data with advanced machine learning, the researchers have created SMART-SEA, a system that gives seafarers real-time guidance on how and when to maneuver their vessel.SMART-SEA can detect stationary objects in all weather conditions, and seafarers can choose how to receive the data — either visually…

Makai Ocean Engineering has released the Makai Simulator, a training tool that enables submarine cable installers to prepare MakaiLay operators in a safe, realistic, and cost-effective way, entirely from shore. Developed by Makai with contribution from Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), the Simulator gives teams the ability to build hands-on experience with offshore cable installation workflows in a controlled, office-based environment.As the global demand for subsea infrastructure accelerates…

TADEK Ocean Engineering, a UK offshore engineering consultancy delivering front-end advisory, through-project delivery solutions and naval architecture analysis, announced its new look leadership team and strategic new senior appointments as the company prepares for further growth.TADEK integrates advanced hydrodynamic analysis and design with practical project execution, delivering end-to-end solutions from concept and detailed design through to offshore installation and decommissioning in open sea.

ABS and the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on the application of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the marine and offshore sectors.The agreement establishes a framework for both organizations to exchange information and engage in joint research projects related to concept designs for an SMR-powered ship and a floating SMR power generation platform. Among the objectives are identifying and developing applicable regulatory guidelines and international standards.“Nuclear energy offers unmatched energy density…

When the maritime trade union Nautilus International asked memberswhat they thought of AI at a forum in January, there was some positive sentiment:“We shouldn’t automatically assume there will be problems with AI, as we’ve adopted other tech over the years without it being too intrusive for crew.”Others were not so sure:“There are worrying issues around liability and culpability if an incident happens involving a vessel operated using AI. Seafarers could take the blame when the…

The Shearer Group, Inc. (TSGI) has announced a new addition to its naval architecture, marine engineering, and marine surveying firm, Luke Strawson. Luke holds a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M University.While studying at Texas A&M, Luke collaborated with team members to design and build an electric boat for competition in the Promoting Electric Propulsion race held by ASNE. He is experienced in various areas, including structural design and 3DCAD software. In addition, he is a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

South Korea and the United States havehttps://www.marinelink.com/news/hanwha-build-usflagged-lng-carrier-528214 been discussing a shipbuilding tie-up that could include investments to modernize U.S. shipyards and more help to repair the U.S. naval fleet as Seoul seeks better tariff terms, government and industry sources said.U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made revitalizing the aging U.S. shipbuilding industry a priority to keep up with China, has repeatedly raised the idea…

“Every owner’s playbook needs to keep a line of sight on three things—regulation, technology readiness timelines and boundary conditions – and must include the elements needed for a short-, mid- and long game such as energy retrofits, electrification and nuclear.”That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, to Greece’s foremost shipowners, ship managers, and charterers at the ABS Hellenic National Committee Meeting.“The solution calculus for owners in today’s operating environment is 70% fuel, 15% energy efficiency and 15% performance optimization.

Maritime leaders from the UK and Korea have advanced the regulatory and commercial future of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), following a technical workshop led by Lloyd’s Register (LR), the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO), and the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Held at KRISO’s Daejeon headquarters, the workshop brought together 27 experts, including representatives from the British Embassy in Seoul, to accelerate joint strategies…

Bardex Corp. is pleased to announce that the Offshore Technology Conference has awarded Daniel Toerner a spot in its 2025 Emerging Leaders class. Each year, the OTC recognizes up-and-coming professionals whose work in the energy industry demonstrates the kind of talent and commitment that puts them on a course toward being future leaders in the offshore energy sector. Each recipient of the award, who has been in the industry for fewer than 10 years, is selected by the previous year’s class.Toerner, who earned a B.S.

Global aquaculture production has already exceeded wild fisheries production, and space constraints in coastal areas have driven interest in the viability of combining aquaculture with offshore energy installations. New ideas keep coming.An article published in Heliyon this month assessed the potential for growing high-value algae species on decommissioned oil and gas jackets.Algal aquaculture is growing at 8.9% annually and became an $22 billion industry in 2024. There are an estimated 7…

Bristol, R.I. based naval architecture and marine engineering form Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) announced it has promoted a member of its team, Daniel P. Eling, P.E., to a managerial position.Eling, a senior naval architect with six years of experience at the firm, has been promoted to the role of engineering manager.Eling holds a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Rhode Island.

A study published by Norbert Bulten, Product Performance Manager at Wärtsilä, has demonstrated that “there is more in life than the straight-sailing, calm water condition.”The research was carried out within the EU-funded CHEK project and involved full-scale CFD simulations that focused on the impact of rudder steering and vessel motion.The study compared a gate rudder concept to a conventional semi-spade rudder for a Kamsarmax bulker.Typically, a rudder is placed behind the propeller, where the movable part can be a part (semi-spade) or the complete rudder section (full-spade).

The American Salvage Association (ASA) announced that Mike Dean has been appointed Executive Director. In this role, Dean is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the organization and ensuring that ASA’s mission and objectives are achieved. He oversees day-to-day operations, financial management, government affairs, working committees and ASA staff. Dean reports to ASA’s president, Joseph Farrell, III and works closely with ASA’s Executive Committee.Dean is an industry veteran…

ABS and the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) are working together to advance commercial small modular reactor (SMR)-powered ships and floating SMR power generation platforms.ABS will provide analysis of applicable regulatory guidelines and international standards for the design of SMR-powered ships.KRISO will develop core technologies for SMR-powered ships, including conceptual designs for the vessel and propulsion systems as well as the development of a framework for integrated ship, nuclear power safety analysis.

As companies approach the exploitation phase of Deep Sea Mining, one critical factor is the transportation of mineral ores from the mine site location to onshore refineries While this may appear to be a relatively simple step, involving conventional bulk ore carriers and standard procedures, the nuances and practical limits of operating in the deep ocean mean that this step becomes increasingly complex and challenging. This article will explore the STARS concept, the likely regulatory requirements, and the complexities of this new vessel type.