technology – Professional Mariner

02 Feb

Ferry completes world’s longest electric sea journey

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, propulsion, technology

(STOCKHOLM, Sweden) — Demonstrating that electric passenger vessels are no longer confined to short, fixed routes – or dependent on costly, purpose-built charging infrastructure – the world’s first electric hydrofoiling ferry, Candela P-12, has completed a record-breaking voyage from Sweden’s west coast to Norway’s capital, Oslo. Electric ferries are gaining momentum globally. However, high energy consumption and limited range have…

22 Jan

New report details practical steps to reduce alarm overload

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newssafety, shipping, technology

(LONDON) — New research from Lloyd’s Register (LR) has revealed that excessive and nuisance shipboard alarm systems are routinely overwhelming crews and, in many cases, actively undermining safety at sea. The findings, published in "Effective Alarm Management in the Maritime Industry," are based on data collected from 11 operational vessels, spanning over 2,000 days and more than 40 million alarm-related…

09 Jan

Saronic, Hornbeck partnering on autonomous OSVs

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsAI, Autonomous vessels, shipbuilding, technology

(AUSTIN, Texas) — Saronic has announced a strategic partnership with Hornbeck Offshore Services, a leading provider of technologically advanced, high-specification offshore service vessels (OSVs) serving the energy and defense industries, to accelerate innovation and deployment of autonomous platforms, advanced software, and maritime solutions to those markets. As part of the agreement, Saronic and Hornbeck intend to pursue commercial solutions to…

07 Jan

Autonomous-vessel developer acquires Metal Shark

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsAI, shipbuilding, technology

(MIAMI) — Magnet Defense, a developer of fully autonomous national security maritime platforms for fleet operations and missile defense missions, has officially completed its acquisition of Metal Shark, a leading designer and shipbuilder of maritime platforms for defense and law enforcement missions. The combination of Magnet Defense and Metal Shark offers U.S. and allied militaries a leading supplier of AI-enabled…

05 Jan

Texas A&M ‘smart’ system aims to reduce marine collisions

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, Navigation, safety, technology

(COLLEGE STATION, Texas) — Collisions between marine vessels and vessel impacts with stationary structures, like offshore oil platforms and depleted wellheads, are becoming increasingly common. These incidents come with a cost – including the financial burden of lost goods and potential loss of life. Ocean engineering researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a smarter system to combat these incidents…

30 Dec

Lyman-Morse to build three solar ferries for Merrimack Valley

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newspropulsion, shipbuilding, technology

(THOMASTON, Maine) — Lyman-Morse, a Maine-based boatbuilder, has been awarded the contract to design and build three solar-powered ferries for MeVa Transit, operator of public bus service in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. The Lyman-Morse Workboats Division was selected through a competitive “value bid” process that considered overall design, materials and performance – not just price. The company’s winning…

23 Dec

U.S. halts five East Coast wind projects, cites security risks

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsoffshore wind, Regulation, technology

(WASHINGTON) — The Trump administration said Monday it is pausing leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to what it said were national security risks identified by the Pentagon, NPR reported. The pause, effective immediately, is the latest step the administration has taken to hobble offshore wind in its push against renewable energy…

16 Dec

Metal Shark, AI developer partner on radar software integration

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipbuilding, technology

(JEANERETTE, La.) — Louisiana-based boatbuilder Metal Shark, a supplier for the U.S. armed forces and allies, and Tocaro Blue, a leading developer of AI-powered marine sensor processing solutions, have announced a strategic collaboration to embed Tocaro Blue’s ProteusCore radar processing software into Metal Shark’s fleet of High Speed Maneuverable Unmanned Surface Vessels (HSMUSVs). ProteusCore provides operators with advanced radar data…

11 Nov

Matson deploying advanced whale detection technology

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, shipping, technology

(HONOLULU) — Matson has announced a product agreement with WhaleSpotter Corp. to purchase and deploy a groundbreaking whale detection system developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), making Matson the first container shipping company to deploy this advanced marine protection technology. Developed at WHOI with support from Matson and other contributors, the WhaleSpotter system combines thermal and AI-driven detection,…

25 Sep

Coast Guard to invest $350M in robotics, autonomous systems

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsAutonomous vessels, technology, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday it will invest nearly $350 million to expand robotics and autonomous systems, strengthening mission execution and operational capabilities. The funding, provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), includes $11 million in fiscal year 2025 for immediate upgrades to critical autonomous systems. Initial investments include: • $4.8 million to procure 16…