Industry News – Professional Mariner

20 Mar

Master Boat to fabricate hull modules for new Navy towing vessels

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(CODEN, Ala.) — Master Boat Builders has signed a contract with Austal USA to fabricate modules for the U.S. Navy’s Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship (T-ATS) program. The contract establishes Master Boat as a key subcontractor contributing to the construction and delivery of critical vessels that enhance the Navy’s and the Trump administration’s push to diversify and strengthen the…

19 Mar

Hornblower expanding shipyard, services in Bridgeport

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsPorts, shipbuilding

(BRIDGEPORT, Conn.) — Hornblower Group has announced the expansion of its facilities and extensive offerings on the Bridgeport waterfront, building on the firm's commitment to the region while growing from 1 acre to 17 acres with equipment and crew offering services across vessel classes and specializations, now including yachts and recreational craft. The expanded location at 731 Seaview Ave. will…

19 Mar

Chouest Group expands in offshore decommissioning sector

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsGulf Coast

(HOUMA, La.) — The Chouest Group announced the acquisition of Champagne Energy Solutions (CES), previously known as Champagne Energy & Environmental Services (CEES), a leading provider of offshore decommissioning, plug and abandonment (P&A), and environmental services on the Gulf Coast. This transaction marks the first acquisition in the Chouest Group’s focused expansion into the offshore decommissioning sector, with additional strategic…

05 Mar

Rep. Langworthy named 2026 Champion of the Great Lakes

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, shipping

(OTTAWA, Ontario) — U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., has been named the 2026 Champion of the Great Lakes by the Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC). This award honors United States elected officials who demonstrate a special commitment to enhancing economic growth and supply chain strength by supporting marine shipping on the Great Lakes. Representing the 23rd District of New York,…

23 Feb

ABB selects Corvus battery systems for new WSF hybrid ferries

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsferries, Hybrids, shipbuilding

(BERGEN, Norway and SEATTLE) — Corvus Energy has been selected by ABB’s Marine & Ports Division to supply battery energy storage systems (ESS) for two new hybrid electric ferries for Washington State Ferries (WSF). The contract also includes an option for a third vessel. Washington State Ferries manages the largest ferry system in the United States, operating 21 auto-passenger ferries…

03 Feb

Gladding-Hearn uses grants to improve shipyard safety, efficiency

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsMarAd, shipbuilding

(SOMERSET, Mass.) — Financial support from federal and state agencies has assisted Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corp., in undertaking capital projects that have made its shipyard operations more efficient and safer for over 80 employees who build and refit their customers’ high-speed ferries, pilot boats, research boats and other commercial vessels. With a Small Shipyard Grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration…

29 Jan

New coalition looks to boost revitalization of U.S. maritime industry

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipping

(HOUSTON) — The American Maritime Industrial Coalition (AMIC) has officially launched to help shape the future of the U.S. maritime industrial base – at a moment when national resilience, industrial capacity, and maritime leadership are once again front and center in global and domestic policy discussions. AMIC is a coalition of maritime, industrial, technology, labor and policy leaders aligned around…

26 Jan

Laborde provides Mitsubishi power for Blessey’s first Tier 4 towboat

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsbrownwater, propulsion, Tugboats and towing

(CHANNELVIEW, Texas) — Capt. Daniel Armstrong, a new-construction 2,600-horsepower towboat and the first Tier 4 vessel in the Blessey Marine Services fleet, has entered service powered by a Mitsubishi S12R marine engine supplied and supported by Laborde Products. The vessel was christened on Jan. 14 at Web Fleet in Channelview. Capt. Daniel Armstrong, built by Vessel Repair of Port Arthur,…

22 Jan

Terral River Service repowers towboat with Mitsubishi Tier 3 engines

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsbrownwater, propulsion, Towboats and towing

(LAKE PROVIDENCE, La.) — Terral River Service has completed a major repower on the towboat Johnny M., upgrading from Caterpillar 3508 Tier 2 engines to Mitsubishi S12R Tier 3 engines rated at 1,260 horsepower at 1,600 rpm. The project reflects Terral’s ongoing commitment to reliable performance, lower emissions and fleetwide efficiency supported by its continued collaboration with Laborde Products. “The…

21 Jan

Bay Area Diesel repowers crew boat with quad Tier 3 Scanias

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newspropulsion

(ROCKPORT, Texas) — Laborde Products, working through its dealer Bay Area Diesel, has completed a repower of Launch Runner, a quad-screw crew boat owned by G&S Marine. The project replaced four Scania DI13 Tier 2 engines with four Scania DI13 Tier 3 engines, each rated at 650 hp at 2,100 rpm, giving the vessel modernized power while maintaining a proven…