Startup News

MOL PLUS has decided to invest in Pyxis Maritime, a Singapore-based developer of electric vessels and operator of electric boat charging stations, as part of efforts to promote the commercialization of electric vessels and related infrastructure.The investment comes as Singapore advances toward its national net-zero target for 2050. From 2030, all new harbor craft operating in the Port of Singapore will be required to be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuel, or compatible…

Skana Robotics, a defense tech startup, is unveiling its latest autonomous vessel, the Alligator, the first amphibious vessel that combines infrastructure-free deployment, manned or unmanned operation, and the ability to carry and launch other autonomous systems. The Alligator joins Skana’s fleet of maritime autonomous vessels, which have already progressed from the prototype stage to deployable and adaptable naval assets designed for mass production: the Bullshark (autonomous surface vessel, ASV) and Stingray (Autonomous underwater vessel, AUV).

In a shipbuilding industry defined by tradition, one new entrant is seeking to rewrite the rules of how naval vessels are designed, built and delivered. Saronic Technologies, founded just three years ago, is racing to create what CEO Dino Mavrookas calls “a next-generation shipbuilding ecosystem” — one capable of delivering unmanned surface vessels (USVs) at the speed and scale the U.S. and its allies will need to compete on tomorrow’s seas.Saronic Technology’s ambition is staggering: a vertically integrated…

BlueNose, a London-based maritime innovation startup, has been awarded $460,000 through the U.K. Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6) to advance aerodynamic efficiency concepts for commercial shipping.The seven-month feasibility study, funded under the Department for Transport’s UK SHORE program and delivered by Innovate UK, will support Project WAVE and run until March 2026. BlueNose, working with lomarlabs, will develop inflatable and foldable wind-deflector…

Saipem has launched the LiSa Hyper Harness, a smart safety harness equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence designed to enhance worker safety during operations at height.The device monitors how workers connect to fall protection systems and alerts both the operator and a supervisor if the connection is missing or incorrect. The harness emits an acoustic signal, similar to a car seatbelt warning, and automatically sends a notification to a central platform for immediate…

LNG Canada has started production of liquefied natural gas at the second of its two processing units, known as Train 2, the company said.Both trains at the Shell-led project in Kitimat, British Columbia - each with a capacity of 6.5 million metric tons per annum - are now operational, a spokesperson told Reuters.LNG Canada is the first major LNG export facility in Canada and the first on the west coast of North America that provides direct access to Asia, the world's largest market for the liquid fuel.

NYK’s Group company Keihin Dock has signed a joint demonstration agreement with Oceanic Constellations (OC), an ocean-tech startup, seeks to establish a mass-production system for small unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).The move aims to accelerate the development of innovative solutions to tackle industry-wide marine challenges in Japan.OC plans to implement a world-first approach to consistent ocean monitoring by deploying multiple USVs equipped with sensors and communication…

U.S. technology and shipbuilding startup Blue Water Autonomy has entered a production agreement with Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard to build its first class of autonomous surface vessels, marking a shift from research and development to real-world deployment.The announcement comes weeks after the Boston company, which designs highly producible unmanned ships for the U.S. Navy, raised its Series A, bringing total funding to $61 million, and underscores its push to deliver scalable unmanned ships that align with near-term U.S.

The EU has proposed a new strategic agenda to raise bilateral relations with India.The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication outlining a ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda' marking a significant milestone in EU-India relations.This initiative, announced by President von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines for 2024-2029, aims to deepen, broaden, and better coordinate bilateral cooperation, enhance prosperity and security for both partners and…

Italian energy giant Eni has held the sail away ceremony for the Nguya floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit in Shanghai, which is set to depart for Congo LNG project in the Marine XII concession, offshore the Republic of Congo.The Nguya unit, 376 meters long and 60 meters wide, will be moored at a depth of 35 meters and used for liquefied natural gas production.Designed with advanced technologies to ensure a reduced carbon footprint, it stands as a benchmark in the industry.Conceived…

Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI, has compared developing AI agents to owning a pet tiger.Speaking this week at the World AI Conference (WAIC 2025) in Shanghai, Yicai Global reported him saying: "Our current situation is like someone keeping a tiger as a pet. A tiger cub can indeed be a cute pet, but if you continue to keep it, you must ensure that it does not kill you when it grows up.”He says there are two choices: either train it so that it doesn't attack you or eliminate it.“For AI, we have no way to eliminate it,” he warned.

Tilla, a Berlin-based maritime tech startup, announced the successful closing of a USD$2.3 million (€2 million) funding round designed to accelerate the global expansion and innovation of its crew logistics platform. The round is led by global maritime venture capital firm Motion Ventures, which recently launched a $100 million maritime tech fund, alongside a strategic investment from EXMAR, a Belgian shipping company with a long-standing reputation under the Saverys family. The…

An Australian AI startup developing software for crewless boats said it has been granted one of the first AUKUS exemption licences by the Australian government, allowing it to share information with defence contractors in the U.S. and Britain.Defence officials have said Australia will rely more on autonomous systems to protect its vast coastline and up to 1.2 million square miles (3.1 million sq km) of northern ocean, even as it spends billions on nuclear-powered submarines.Australia…

With all the Legislative fanfare, Executive Orders, Committee meetings, lobbying efforts and media announcements concerning American Shipbuilding, Naval Warfare and Maritime Dominance, it is no surprise that the result of the uproar is shear confusion within the maritime industrial base (MIB). The April 9, 2025 Executive Order Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance lists more than several reports to the President due within 90 days. Following those initial updates other reports are due at 180 and 210 days. The industry as a whole has not seen references to any of the reports being completed.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering, in partnership with Equinor, National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium (NOWRDC) and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), announced its selection of the 2025 annual cohort of companies that will receive support to further develop their ideas and advance offshore wind’s potential in New York.Six companies were selected from a pool of 53 applicants based on the novelty and potential of their solutions. Among the focus areas was identifying…

Fincantieri expanded its global innovation network with the launch of a new Innovation Antenna in South Korea, aiming to deepen ties with the region’s fast-growing maritime and high-tech ecosystem.Announced during the Scaleup Summit Seoul 2025, the initiative is part of Fincantieri’s broader open innovation strategy and follows the company’s first Innovation Antenna established in Silicon Valley last year. The new hub, located in Seoul’s tech district, is designed to connect Fincantieri with Korean startups…

The Shell-led LNG Canada facility has produced its first LNG for export in Kitimat, British Columbia, a spokesperson for the project confirmed on Sunday.The milestone comes in advance of the facility loading its first LNG export cargo, which LNG Canada said it remains on track to do by the middle of this year.The facility is the first large-scale Canadian LNG project to begin production and also the first major LNG facility in North America with direct access to the Pacific coast, significantly reducing sail time to Asian markets when compared to U.S.

The rise of AI, regional innovation hotspots, and a wave of funding define this year’s maritime tech landscapeFor the third year running, the “Global Maritime Tech Startup Map” has been released—an evolving snapshot of the world’s most promising maritime software startups. The 2025 edition charts 176 startups across categories from vessel condition monitoring to crewing software, highlighting a growing appetite for artificial intelligence and an increasingly global spread of innovation....

GCE Ocean Technology is strengthening its team with the appointment of Gisle Nondal as Chief Operating Officer (COO).He joins the cluster from his role as Head of Business Development and agriculture at the City of Bergen and will now take on the position of Director of Operations and Projects.Gisle previously held the position as R&D Manager at GCE Ocean Technology and is well-acquainted with the cluster."I am very grateful for the opportunity to return to the cluster, and am looking forward to working closely with the partners and members to increase value creation…

Ang Wee Keong, currently the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), will take on the role of Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) effective June 16.In his current role, Ang has made significant contributions in advancing Singapore’s digital interests and thought leadership in the international arena. He strengthened Singapore’s network of digital economy partnerships, and expanded collaboration through platforms like the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting…

Venture Global LNG has begun commercial operations at its Calcasieu Pass plant in Louisiana, ending a more than a three-year commissioning process at the plant, the company said on Tuesday.Venture Global will now sell LNG to its long-term customers at lower prices rather than test cargoes to the highest bidders in the red-hot global market.Just a startup five years ago, Venture Global is the country's second-largest LNG producer, helping the U.S. lead the world in LNG exports.Commissioning…

Shipping giant CMA CGM and tech startup Mistral AI expect rapid productivity gains from a 100 million euro ($110 million) partnership unveiled on Sunday, which the French firms also touted as a commitment to their home country amid the global trade tensions.The five-year partnership, which will bring CMA CGM's AI-related spending to 500 million euros ($550 million), will focus on customer service in shipping and logistics and factchecking at its French media businesses that include news channel BFM TV.In a joint interview with Mistral's co-founder and CEO Arthur Mensch…

Europe soaked up most U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports for the second straight month in February, as cold weather and strong prices pushed up demand for the superchilled gas across the Atlantic, according to preliminary data from financial firm LSEG.The U.S. is the world's largest exporter of LNG and continues to play a major role in supplying Europe since Russia's invasion of Ukraine significantly reduced the amount of Russian gas piped to Europe.In February the U.S.