A Florida shipyard has been awarded its first U.S. Navy shipbuilding contract to construct a dive support vessel (DSV). In May, St. Johns Ship Building was commissioned by the Navy to build a DSV that will serve critical operational roles for the Navy, including support for specialized diving and underwater support as well as operations and training, St. Johns said.…
One is mapping the seabed near St. St. Petersburg, Fla., searching for information that might predict hurricane risk. Another can ferry up to eight passengers on sightseeing tours near Dubai. Some carry trash to transfer stations through the canals of Amsterdam. One stretches 260 feet and has a capacity of 120 typical container units, and it transports fertilizer from one…
Imagine this: You are crew aboard a ship, midocean, and the passage is going well. Seas and conditions are favorable and all aboard are attentive, but relaxed. Then the crew on watch gives a shout. Something about the GPS receivers sending out a new position that is nowhere near where you know you have been. You go to the bridge,…
Despite a lawsuit and a petition drive seeking to prevent the reefing of SS United States off the Florida Panhandle, preparations for sinking the historic vessel are continuing in an Alabama shipyard. After a 12-day, 1,800-mile tow from its longtime berth in Philadelphia, SS United States arrived on March 2 at a shipyard in Mobile to prepare the world’s fastest…
As the global economy tries to absorb the impact of President Donald Trump’s ever-changing tariff policy, the administration also plans to implement port fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built commercial ships and on car carriers made in any foreign country. The Office of the United States Trade Representative, a part of the executive branch, claimed last year — while still acting…
Cybersecurity has become a daily concern for professional mariners, yet the industry’s preparedness lags behind the rapidly evolving threat landscape. From ransomware and phishing attacks to the theft of sensitive data, the maritime sector faces persistent and sophisticated cyberthreats. Recent studies and real-world incidents have revealed that cybersecurity awareness and readiness among maritime workers remain insufficient — posing a threat…
Small “truckable” tugboats that have long been overlooked by big swaths of the U.S. maritime industry are starting to get a fresh look, driven by innovative designs and as a response to rising costs of building and maintaining traditional tugboat fleets. Multiple companies are working on new platforms for these tugboats, which can be towed from one jobsite to another…
The transition to cleaner energy will be done through billions of batteries. Because of this, the International Energy Agency is forecasting that the demand for lithium will increase by more than 800 percent by 2040. The IEA also predicts surges in demand for nickel, cobalt and rare- earth metals. As a source of these materials, nations and technology companies are…
A scientist working in the maritime sphere of sustainability and climate change believes air lubrication system (ALS) technology is key to the shipping industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. “I firmly believe that ALS is poised to be a pivotal technology in decarbonizing the maritime industry,” said Andrew Spiteri, Ph.D., who manages the unit responsible for…
“In the beginning, before leaving the shipyard, I have to admit being somewhat excited, nervous and skeptical,” said Capt. Glenn Skjelbred before departing from Europe on a pilot voyage to Houston, Tex., aboard a 600-foot chemical tanker equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS). The Norwegian company Odfjell, operator of one of the world’s largest fleets of chemical tankers with…