Work News

Often debated and long-awaited, The White House released its long-anticipated America’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP), a 40+ page blueprint aimed at what it calls a new “Maritime Golden Age” for the United States.The document, developed under Executive Order 14269, lays out a four-pillar strategy to rebuild domestic shipbuilding capacity, expand the U.S.-flag fleet, reform maritime workforce development, and strengthen industrial resilience. For U.S. shipbuilders, vessel owners and maritime suppliers…

DP World chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem has resigned with mounting pressure over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.Bin Sulayem, one of the Middle East's most prominent business figures, is among the highest-profile executives to face scrutiny and be removed from senior roles following the recent release of the Epstein files.Dubai's ruler on Friday also issued a decree appointing a new chairman for Dubai's Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, one of several roles previously held by Bin Sulayem.Members of the U.S.

In many maritime organizations, the most effective people in shore-based leadership roles are those who have spent meaningful time onboard. Designated Persons Ashore and Port Captains often earn their positions not because of spreadsheets or policy expertise, but because they understand the realities of life at sea. They know how decisions made ashore ripple through watch schedules, maintenance routines, weather windows, and crew fatigue. That onboard experience is precisely what makes them so valuable to management.

Stena Line has invested millions in extensive refurbishment and modernization of the Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica ferries on the Gothenburg–Kiel route. The renovation includes restaurant and bar areas as well as outdoor decks ahead of the com-ing travel season.Stena Line has carried out an extensive modernisation of the Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica ferries that operate on the route between Gothenburg and Kiel. Now that the ships have recently returned from the shipyard, passengers can enjoy renovated restaurant and bar areas and an upgraded outdoor deck.

Island Offshore’s new hybrid Ocean Energy Construction Vessel (OECV) has been launched to the water at Vard Shipyards Romania in Brăila.The 120-meter vessel, labeled NB 977, is designed to support offshore operations with reduced environmental impact. The vessel, of VARD 3 25 design, will be equipped with a 250-tonne heave-compensated subsea crane, DP2 capability and accommodation for up to 130 personnel.The hybrid-powered vessel will feature a 1.7 MWh energy storage system for hybrid propulsion, a heat recovery system and engine sets prepared for alternative low-emission fuels.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the girting and capsize of tug Biter with the loss of two lives while assisting passenger vessel Hebridean Princess off Greenock, Scotland.At about 1527 on 24 February 2023, the twin screw conventional tug Biter girted and capsized off Greenock, Scotland while attached to the stern of the passenger vessel Hebridean Princess, which was making its approach to James Watt Dock. Biter’s two crew were unable…

In a move that underscores the accelerating adoption of robotics in shipbuilding, Seaspan Shipyards has awarded a $1.5 million contract to Alberta-based Confined Space Robotics (CSR) to develop and integrate semiautonomous robotic systems for blast and paint operations.Surface preparation and coating are core processes in both newbuild and complex repair and overhaul programs, particularly in submarine work where confined spaces and hazardous materials present heightened safety risks.

Martens en Van Oord, a contractor in roadworks, civil and hydraulic engineering, is taking a step toward further sustainability and modernization of its fleet by investing in the latest generation of the V4000 autonomous unmanned survey vessel (USV) from Demcon unmanned systems, a specialist in high-tech autonomous vessels for hydrographic and maritime applications. The selected 4‑meter variant provides increased range and longer endurance thanks to the additional hull length…

Meyer Turku has unveiled a net-zero cruise ship concept design named AVATAR.The project achieved its set emissions reduction target: the vessel’s lifecycle carbon footprint was successfully reduced by more than 90 percent compared to the baseline defined by the IMO.Developing a net zero vessel concept was one of the key objectives of NEcOLEAP, Meyer Turku’s four‑year research and development program co‑funded by Business Finland. The outcome has also been critically reviewed by a third party.“AVATAR has provided a solid foundation for our development work.

With a growing focus on mitigating climate change and progressing toward the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 net-zero target, the marine sector is under intense pressure to decarbonize. Today, maritime transport emits nearly one billion tons of CO2 annually, representing roughly 2-3% of all energy-related carbon emissions worldwide .Substantial progress has been made over the past decade in reducing emissions from small commercial and coastal vessels via all-electric and diesel-electric propulsion (DEP) systems.

Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri has launched an industrial partnership with Generative Bionics aimed at developing a humanoid welding robot designed to operate alongside human workers in shipyard environments. The initiative aligns with Fincantieri’s broader strategy around advanced robotics, physical AI and innovation, core pillars of the Group’s new Industrial Plan.The collaboration brings together Fincantieri’s deep industrial and shipbuilding expertise with Generative Bionics’ autonomous humanoid robotics platform.

As the use of robotics in data collection increases, the Scientific Robotics Academy, based at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban, will host two courses this March: "Environmental monitoring using autonomous platforms" and "Applied photogrammetry for environmental monitoring."The courses come amid the rapid expansion of twin technologies of AI and robotics, which are transforming the way tasks such as survey work and species identification can be completed.Based at beginner to intermediate level and intermediate to advanced level…

Saronic was selected to support the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Pulling Guard program, an effort to develop and demonstrate semi-autonomous escort systems designed to enhance the survivability of unarmed logistics vessels. Saronic will participate in the program under Focus Area 2 (FA2), where it will focus on designing an autonomy-enabled, modular vessel to address maritime security challenges.DARPA’s Pulling Guard program aims to develop semi-autonomous overwatch and escort capabilities, collectively referred to as the Pulling Guard system.

Russian forces struck energy facilities in Ukraine's Odesa region on the Black Sea overnight, leaving over 95,000 people in the southern part of the region without power, a regional official said on Tuesday.Russia launched 125 drones at Ukraine overnight and Ukrainian air defence units shot down or neutralised 110, the Ukrainian air force said.Oleh Kiper, Odesa regional governor, said the small town of Kilia was in the most difficult situation, as more than 200 buildings housing 9…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) Advisory has been appointed by Geneva-based LPG trader and shipowner Geogas to support the development of a multi-year emissions compliance plan and operationalization of FuelEU pooling, as it prepares for the first compliance cycle of FuelEU Maritime.Under the agreement, LR Advisory will provide insight into the commercial implications of current and forthcoming emissions regulations, alongside targeted knowledge transfer to build internal capability. The…

The Philippines' ambassador to the United States on Tuesday underscored the need to "cool" the temperature with China, after both sides signaled their willingness to set aside tensions in the South China Sea and explore areas of economic cooperation.Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila's relationship with Beijing should not be defined solely by maritime disputes, even as the Philippines continues to call out actions it deems unlawful."We have a continuing bilateral conversation with them," Romualdez told reporters.

On January 22, 2026, Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) and partners, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Royal IHC, held a keel laying ceremony for the ongoing construction of the Dredge DONNELLY at Eastern’s Allanton Facility.The DONNELLY is a Medium Class Hopper Dredge that has been under construction since April 2025. The vessel will replace the Dredge McFARLAND and will play a critical role in enabling USACE to continue to deliver its navigation mission.The keel laying…

In many maritime organizations, the most effective people in shore-based leadership roles are those who have spent meaningful time onboard. Designated Persons Ashore and Port Captains often earn their positions not because of spreadsheets or policy expertise, but because they understand the realities of life at sea. They know how decisions made ashore ripple through watch schedules, maintenance routines, weather windows, and crew fatigue. That onboard experience is precisely what makes them so valuable to management.

New Zealand has shortlisted contractors to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to boost energy security, provide a reliable backup power source and support economic growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts said on Monday.The government aims to sign a contract by the middle of this year for an import facility in Taranaki, on the country's North Island, that would be ready to receive LNG in 2027 or early 2028.The model will allow LNG to be imported in large shipments and only when needed…

The U.S. Department of Labor published a notice providing enhanced and transparent guidance for calculating the amount of securitization required by insurers writing policies under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. This new guidance is designed to represent a transparent and structured approach that will lower the cost of doing business for industries vital to America’s economic and military dominance while continuing to put injured workers first. It will also improve industry confidence regarding potential liabilities and how to improve their outcomes.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has further enhanced its capabilities in China with the announcement of three new senior appointments. Tianxiang Li (TX), LR’s Director of Global Technical Support Office (TSO), has been appointed as President for Greater China. He will lead senior client relationships and strategic engagement, strengthening alignment between LR’s global technical leadership and the priorities of Chinese owners, yards and designers. TX joined LR in 2008 and held leadership positions in the Technical Support Office since 2011.

Progress on the BorWin6 Project continues with the successful completion of a fabrication yard milestone in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. Mammoet has completed the transport, loadout and mooring of the 5,461-ton offshore jacket foundation, set to support the BorWin6 offshore converter platform BorWin kappa in the German North Sea. Developed by TenneT and delivered by McDermott International, the BorWin6 offshore grid connection is a 980-megawatt high voltage direct current connection that will transmit offshore wind energy from the German North Sea to the mainland…

Norwegian vessel owner Solstad Offshore has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with client for its Normand Tonjer construction support vessel (CSV).According to Solstad Offshore, area of operation for the vessel will be Asia-Pacific. The contract has a duration of 225 days, including mobilization, with further options thereafter, and will start in February 2026.The commercial terms and conditions are confidential between the parties.Normand Tonjer is a CSV built in 2010. The vessel…