Professional Mariner – October/November 2025

Hanwha to build 10 Jones Act tankers at Philly shipyard

One of the nation’s largest shipyards just received the largest, highest-value U.S. commercial vessel order in more than two decades. The shipyard’s order, which came in conjunction with a major infrastructure announcement, shows tangible infrastructure and production gains in American shipbuilding. Hanwha Shipping, a newly formed U.S. subsidiary of South Korean company Hanwha Ocean, announced an order for 10 medium-range…

First AI pilot-assist system installed on Mississippi towboat

A Florida developer of maritime situational-awareness systems has completed installation of a pilot-assist system on a Tennessee-based tow vessel, marking the first time such technology has been used on the Mississippi. Mythos AI, a pioneer in maritime autonomy, has installed its Advanced Pilot Assist System (APAS) on a Southern Devall tow vessel. “This milestone marks a transformative step in American…

Incat and Breaux Brothers partner on hybrid-electric tour boat for Houston

A Texas port has selected a juggernaut of modern commercial vessel design to design an innovative tour vessel. In August, Port Houston selected Incat Crowther to design a new hybrid-electric tour vessel for the port’s popular Houston Ship Channel tours. Incat Crowther will partner with Louisiana-based shipbuilder Breaux Brothers on the project. Headquartered in the United States, Incat Crowther —…

Pasha steps in after MacMillan-Piper shutdown, revives key Pacific port services

The assets of a Pacific Northwest logistics and transloading firm have been acquired by a Bay Area-based shipping company. The Pasha Group, together with The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), announced in August that Pasha Logistics LLC had acquired certain assets of MacMillan-Piper LLC and Tacoma Transload LLC after the successful completion of an asset purchase agreement. The Pasha Group acquired…

SAFE Boats building ‘hometown’ fireboat for Bremerton

A Washington state boat builder has been awarded a contract to build a fireboat for the town in which the yard is located. SAFE Boats International will construct a new fireboat for the city of Bremerton Fire Department. “This award is especially meaningful for SAFE Boats, whose headquarters and manufacturing operations are based in Bremerton,” SAFE Boats said in a…

US government will auction up to 40 oil and gas leases over the next 15 years

The federal government released an expansive offshore oil and gas leasing plan in August with some 40 leases for sale in U.S. waters over the next 15 years. The Trump administration’s Interior Department outlined 30 auctions in the Gulf of Mexico through 2040 and six auctions in Alaska’s Cook Inlet along Alaska’s south-central coast near Anchorage through 2032, according to…

Great Lakes takes delivery of new hopper dredge

The largest dredging and marine construction company in the U.S. took delivery of a Louisiana-built Jones Act-compliant hopper dredge. Houston-based Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. announced in August that Amelia Island, built at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, La., was the latest addition to its fleet of 200 specialized vessels. “Amelia Island supports [our] vision of continued modernization and…

Containership captain 6 times over the limit arrested in Seattle

The captain of a 1,094-foot ship was taken into custody at a West Coast port and charged with boating under the influence. The U.S. Coast Guard arrested the captain of the containership MSC Jubilee IX on Aug. 20 in Seattle for suspicion of operating the vessel while intoxicated. Local watch standers were notified by a Puget Sound pilot who had…

Crowley’s CS Anthem replaces damaged Tanker Security Program vessel

A Florida-based, family- and employee-owned maritime, logistics and energy solutions company has been approved by the U.S. Maritime Administration to operate a vessel under the Tanker Security Program (TSP). Crowley Stena Marine Solutions, the joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk, recently received approval from MarAd to operate the CS Anthem tanker as part of the TSP, a core fleet…

Civmars file lawsuit against Military Sealift Command over Covid-era policies

More than 40 civilian mariners have filed a lawsuit against the Military Sealift Command seeking damages over a pandemic-era measure that prohibited them from leaving ships for months. On March 21, 2020, MSC officials issued a “gangway up” order that cancelled leave for more than 5,500 civmars employed by the U.S. Navy agency. They were ordered to stay on their…