Maritime News – Page 3 – Professional Mariner

Legalities aside, SS United States still on track to be reefed

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…

A snapshot of US port fees and tariffs

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…

Maritime cybersecurity: An urgent call for awareness and action

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…

Truckable tugboats emerge as versatile option as regulatory, construction costs rise

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…

Deep-sea mining could be a boon for the maritime industry, but environmental agencies are holding the reins

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…

Air lubrication systems offer efficiency, but is the investment worthwhile?

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…

Tanker goes on maiden voyage with wind-assist

“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…

Threat of tariffs and port fees for Chinese vessels drives both uncertainty and cargo records

It’s impossible to take a snapshot of the current status of tariffs in the United States. New tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada went into effect in early March, but the levies on Mexico and Canada were almost immediately paused for one month. (A 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports was imposed in early February, with an additional 10 percent increase…

Colonial Oil takes delivery of new tug and barge

In late January, Colonial Oil Industries Inc., took delivery of a new tug and barge. “Soaring Eagle and its barge represent a strategic investment in the future of Colonial Oil’s marine fueling and towing capabilities,” Colonial Oil said in a press release. Built by Eymard Marine Construction & Repair in New Orleans and designed by Louisiana-based Entech Designs, Soaring Eagle is 67.5 by 28 feet…

Delta Marine to build Artemis foiling ferry for Seattle Area

Artemis Technologies, a company born out of the modern foiling America’s Cup yacht race, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seattle-based Delta Marine to manufacture trademarked electric-foiling ferries designed specifically for Washington’s Puget Sound. “Our collaboration with Delta Marine enables us to bring our market-leading eFoiler technology to one of the busiest ferry hubs in the U.S.,” said David…