Valley News

Gander Robotics, a defense and dual-use robotics company developing autonomous rescue systems for maritime operations, has closed a $1.1 million pre-seed funding round.The round was co-led by Impellent Ventures and Underscore VC, marking Gander's official launch.The company traces its origins to MIT Sloan, where Founder Michael Autery's deep domain expertise and 15 years of Naval experience and Co-Founder Lael Ayala's robotics expertise quickly attracted the attention of his investors, advisors, and defense stakeholders.In the U.S.

CMA CGM is preparing to launch an electric inland barge on France’s Fos-Lyon corridor, with an annual potential of nearly 12,000 TEUs.The initiative aims to promote a regular, reliable, competitive and decarbonized logistics solution between the Port of Marseille-Fos, Lyon and the Rhône Valley, to accelerate a modal shift and relieve congestion on the A7 motorway.By 2030, the Group aims to double its multimodal volumes in Lyon, increasing inland waterway transport to 100,000 TEUs per year and rail transport to 60…

Seatrium has completed divested its AmFELS Yard located at Brownsville in Texas to Karpower Valley, a related party of Karpowership.The divestment, first announced in September 2025 and completed on January 30, 2026, will allow Seatrium to enhance capital and operational efficiencies, while unlocking value from one of its surplus facilities, the company said at the time.All projects carried out at the AmFELS yard have been completed and delivered prior to completion the asset sale…

The U.S. Coast Guard is actively conducting icebreaking operations in New York Harbor and the Hudson River in response to worsening ice conditions caused by prolonged extreme cold and Winter Storm Fern. Ice conditions have developed and expanded quickly across New York Harbor and the Hudson River, with significant ice formation now affecting the waterway from New York Harbor north through the Hudson Valley. Shore and drift ice are present throughout the area, and forecasts indicate continued ice growth over the coming days as cold temperatures persist.

The European Union has awarded funding to support the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in the Øresund region, backing a cross-border project aimed at accelerating renewable energy use and enabling the production of sustainable fuels.The three-year project is supported by financing from the Interreg Øresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak program and will establish a Danish-Swedish collaboration platform focused on integrating CCUS into the regional energy system.The…

Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) appointed former U.S. ambassador to Norway and the 77th Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth J. Braithwaite, as Chairman of their Board of Directors. Braithwaite brings a career in defense and public service to the role, as well as deep Navy ties. He is a 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His active naval service included time as a naval aviator flying anti-submarine missions in the Pacific and Arctic…

Celebrity Edge made a debut visit to the port of Newcastle in Australia on December 13 with over 4,000 passengers on board.Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna said: “The passengers and crew aboard the 306-meter-long Celebrity Edge will make a significant contribution to the economy.“From wine tasting in the Hunter Valley to getting up close with Australian wildlife on the Central Coast and Port Stephens, and exploring Newcastle’s historic sites, this stopover showcases why the region is a must-visit on Australia’s cruise map.”

Scottish engineering and consultancy firm Wood has secured a ten-year contract with NextDecade to deliver maintenance solutions at Rio Grande LNG, a major natural gas liquefaction and export facility under development near Brownsville in Texas.Wood will provide comprehensive maintenance services to support operations at the approximately 1,000-acre site.NextDecade expects the liquefaction and export facility will deliver secure and affordable energy through the safe and efficient…

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…

Seatrium has divested its AmFELS Yard located at Brownsville in Texas, in the United States, for a consideration of $50.7 million (S$65 million).The accretive divestment will allow Seatrium to enhance capital and operational efficiencies, while unlocking value from one of its surplus facilities.The asset sale is being executed through Seatrium’s subsidiary, Seatrium AmFELS, which has entered into a binding agreement with Karpower Valley, a related party of Karpowership.Following the asset divestment, Seatrium will transition its strategic presence in the U.S.

Green hydrogen developers are cancelling projects and trimming investments around the world, raising the prospect of longer than targeted reliance on fossil fuels.The challenges facing the sector have exposed its initial ambitions as unrealistic.Hard-to-electrify industries that were seen as ideal candidates for green hydrogen, such as steelmaking and long-distance transportation, have found that transition to the low-carbon fuel looks prohibitively expensive.The gap between ambition and reality in Europe shows the extent of the reset happening within the industry…

The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) presented its Strategic Plan at the Clock Building of the Port of Valencia, outlining a vision and series of projects with a clear target year of 2035.This is a ten-year plan designed to consolidate Valenciaport as a generator of wealth and quality employment, while also acting as a driver of investment and transformation in the port and logistics ecosystem. Its mission is to deliver the best possible service to the business sector.By 2035, Valenciaport aspires to handle up to 45% of Spain’s loaded container traffic for imports and exports.

Amogy, a provider of ammonia-to-power solutions, has secured additional $23 million in venture financing, to accelerate the development of its maritime products and supporting its expansion into the Asian market.The round was co-led by Korea Development Bank (KDB) and KDB Silicon Valley, with participation from new investors BonAngels Venture Partners and Pathway Investment.With this increase, Amogy has now raised a total of nearly $300 million since its inception and reached a new high in the company valuation.After sailing the world’s first carbon-free…

Coventry, Rhode Island recently took delivery of a 19’ RIBCRAFT 5.85 for their police department. This specialized RIB enhances their patrol and response capabilities while providing a safe platform for public safety efforts during on-water events. Located in the Pawtuxet River Valley, the department primarily operates on Johnson’s Pond but needed a vessel that could easily be towed to other waterways in town as needed. RIBCRAFT worked with the Police Chief and Lieutenant to understand the department’s needs and outfit the 5.85 to meet mission requirements.

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…

American Cruise Lines announced their biggest season of New England cruises—featuring nine itineraries and five small ships, including the newest cruise ship in the country, American Patriot.American Patriot is the flagship in the company’s new Patriot Class series. The 130-passenger ship passed Sea Trials and will embark on its first cruise this week, sailing June 21 roundtrip from Boston. Guests will enjoy one of the Line’s premiere New England itineraries, a 15-Day Grand New England cruise…

The EU will end its dependency on Russian energy by stopping the import of Russian gas and oil and phasing out Russian nuclear energy, while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices across the Union with a new REPowerEU Roadmap.Despite the significant progress achieved under the REPowerEU Plan and via sanctions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in 2024 the EU saw a rebound in Russian gas imports. More coordinated actions are therefore needed, as the EU's overdependency on…

Ergon Marine & Industrial Supply Inc. (EMIS) has taken delivery of a new crew boat, M/V Big Valley 325, bringing the company’s total number of crew boats to three and increasing its capacity to serve marine operators navigating the Mississippi River. The 47- x 12.5-ft. vessel, powered by twin 300 HP outboard engines, enhances our speed and efficiency in transporting crew members to vessels and delivering fuel and supplies to customers. “This expansion is part of our commitment to provide reliable…

Amogy, a provider of ammonia-to-power solutions has announced the expansion of its operations into South Korea with the opening of an office in the Pangyo Techno Valley.This will Amogy close to established investors and partners, including SK Innovation, Samsung Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai, Hanwha, SV Investment, and Korea Zinc.Korea’s status as an early adopter in ammonia and hydrogen fuel technologies, along with robust national policies that support the clean tech economy, was a major driver in Amogy’s decision to establish a local presence.

This episode of Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, delves into the critical importance of the inland waterways infrastructure in the U.S., focusing on the Chickamauga Lock Project on the Tennessee River. A trio of experts – Tracy Zea, President & CEO of WCI; Elizabeth Burks, USACE Nashville Division Chief; and Capt. Joe Cotton, Project Manager, Chickamauga Lock Project – discuss the current state of the inland waterways, the history and significance of the Chickamauga Lock…

Port ranks number one for refrigerated exports, supports $8.5 billion in ag exports.The Port of Oakland continues to be one of the most important gateways for U.S. agricultural products. The Port exported 235,899 TEUs (twenty-foot containers) of agricultural commodities as of October 2024, totaling nearly $8.5 billion. Oakland ranks number one by TEU volume in international refrigerated (reefer) export trade among United States ports.“The Port of Oakland is a major international gateway for California’s and the nation’s farmers,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “Agricultural exports are especially important commodities for our Port’s business.

MarineNews Editor Joseph Keefe weighs in with a look at the previous five years on the waterfront. It’s not what you think.You might be aware that I stepped away for a moment in late December 2019. The five years that followed, whizzed right by – well, all but that miserable part of being virtually locked in my house for six months during “the Pandemic.” Enough said. Now back in the Editor’s chair here at MarineNews magazine, it is apparent that while some things on the collective waterfront have changed…

U.S. Gulf of Mexico energy firms on Friday were lumbering back from hurricane disruptions as offshore oil and gas producers ramped up operations after halving the key energy region's output, ports reopened, and onshore terminals accepted oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers.Hurricane Francine shut in up to 42% of the region's offshore oil and 53% of its natural gas production. The storm missed Texas and came ashore in Louisiana late on Tuesday, causing flooding and power problems that affected onshore terminals and ports that withstood 100 mph (161 kph) winds.The port of New Orleans…