Articles tagged with "marine-technology"
Giant 114-foot wind sails to propel 325,000-deadweight-ton cargo ship
Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based wind propulsion developer, has installed four large rotor sails on the 325,000 deadweight-ton very large ore carrier (VLOC) Grand Pioneer, operated by Taiwan’s U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation. The 114-foot-tall, 16-foot-diameter sails were installed at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China and are designed to harness wind power via the Magnus effect, generating thrust that reduces the ship’s fuel consumption and emissions. This installation marks a significant step in U-Ming’s commitment to decarbonizing shipping and improving sustainability on long-haul routes, specifically between Brazil and China. The rotor sails, delivered fully assembled and installed using a plug-and-play method, are expected to reduce annual fuel use and emissions by 10 to 12 percent during deep-sea operations. The sails also feature a folding design for operational flexibility in ports and under bridges. Anemoi’s team supervised the installation and accompanied the vessel on
energywind-propulsionmarine-technologydecarbonizationfuel-efficiencysustainable-shippingrenewable-energyWorld's first nature-inclusive 30 MW floating wind farm launched
Ocean Winds (OW) has successfully completed the installation of the world’s first nature-inclusive 30 MW floating offshore wind farm, Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL), off the coast of Occitanie, France. The project features three 10 MW turbines mounted on floating foundations, assembled at Port-La Nouvelle and towed 16 km offshore. This milestone demonstrates the viability of floating wind technology in deeper waters, unlocking high-wind areas previously inaccessible to fixed-bottom turbines. The EFGL project is expected to supply clean energy to around 50,000 inhabitants annually and marks a significant step in OW’s 15-year leadership in floating wind technology. EFGL is notable not only for its technological achievement but also as the world’s first nature-inclusive floating wind farm, incorporating artificial marine habitats called Biohuts to enhance local biodiversity. This innovation, alongside strong regional collaboration and advanced engineering, sets a new benchmark for environmentally responsible offshore wind development. The success of EFGL p
energyoffshore-windfloating-wind-farmrenewable-energyclean-energywind-turbinesmarine-technologyChina debuts dive robot built to reach 20,000 feet beneath the ocean
China has successfully conducted the maiden trial of its self-developed remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Haiqin, designed for deep-sea exploration at depths up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet). During the initial sea trial in the South China Sea on August 23, 2025, Haiqin completed multiple dives, reaching a maximum depth of 4,140 meters (13,582 feet). The trial validated the ROV’s stability, navigation, automatic heading control, and precise hovering capabilities, essential for operating in complex deep-sea environments. Prior to the sea trial, Haiqin had passed a 6,000-meter pressure test on land, and according to international standards, passing a 4,000-meter sea trial generally confirms its full-depth operational capability. Weighing 3.6 tons and deployed from the Zhong Shan Da Xue research vessel, Haiqin is equipped with high-definition cameras, robotic arms, sonar, and sensors to support a broad range of scientific
robotdeep-sea-explorationremotely-operated-vehiclemarine-technologyunderwater-roboticsscientific-researchoceanographyHow Project CETI uses drones to humanely tag sperm whales - The Robot Report
Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) has been developing innovative methods since 2020 to humanely tag sperm whales using robotics and AI, with the ultimate goal of decoding their vocalizations. Traditional tagging methods involve approaching whales by boat and using long poles, which is logistically difficult and invasive. Instead, Project CETI employs modified first-person view (FPV) racing drones that are waterproofed and equipped with custom interfaces to deploy biologically-inspired suction-cup tags on whales. These tags collect critical data such as bioacoustics, heart rate, dive depth, and body orientation. The drones’ maneuverability, speed, and relatively low cost make them well-suited for tagging whales during their brief surface intervals, which last only about eight to ten minutes. The project faces challenges in timing the drone deployment precisely due to the whales’ unpredictable surfacing and the dynamic ocean environment. Skilled operators remotely control the drones, achieving an average deployment time of about 1 minute and 15 seconds
roboticsdronesartificial-intelligencebioacousticswildlife-monitoringmarine-technologyrobotic-taggingKraken Robotics nets $115M for marine systems in public offering - The Robot Report
Kraken Robotics Inc., a Canadian marine technology company specializing in advanced subsea imaging and uncrewed maritime systems, has successfully closed an underwritten public offering, raising over $115 million by issuing more than 43.2 million common shares at $2.66 each. The capital infusion strengthens Kraken’s balance sheet, enabling the company to pursue strategic acquisitions, expand its global presence, and enhance value for customers and shareholders. Kraken’s product portfolio includes synthetic aperture sonar, sub-bottom imaging, lidar systems, and pressure-tolerant batteries designed for uncrewed underwater vehicles and subsea energy storage. In April, Kraken acquired 3D at Depth Inc., a subsea services firm specializing in high-resolution lidar imaging, which now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary under the Kraken brand. This acquisition complements Kraken’s existing technologies and supports its goal to transform subsea intelligence with integrated 3D imaging sensors and power systems. The company reported a Q1 2025 gross profit of $10.1
robotunderwater-roboticsmarine-technologysubsea-imagingsynthetic-aperture-sonarenergy-storagelidar-systemsFrench tech turns ocean breakwaters into wave energy-generating wall
A pioneering French collaboration has initiated the construction of Dikwe, the first full-scale energy-positive breakwater system in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France. Developed jointly by French marine research institute Ifremer and technology company GEPS Techno, with construction by the UK-based Legendre Group, Dikwe integrates wave energy generation into traditional harbor breakwaters. Unlike conventional breakwaters that solely protect coastlines and harbor vessels from waves and erosion, Dikwe incorporates oscillating flaps connected to energy capture devices that convert wave motion into electricity, offering a low-carbon, renewable energy source that addresses intermittency issues common in wind and solar power. The concept originated at Ifremer and has been refined over more than a decade, progressing from small-scale prototypes tested in controlled wave facilities to a 1/4th scale model tested in 2022. Following successful trials, Legendre Group and GEPS Techno formed a joint venture, Wave-Op, to promote the deployment of Dikwe technology and
energyrenewable-energywave-energybreakwatermarine-technologyclean-energytidal-energyFrench Navy’s deep-sea ops accidentally reveal shipwreck from 1500s
A French Navy underwater drone operating near Saint-Tropez has discovered the deepest shipwreck ever found in French territorial waters, resting at a depth of 2,567 meters (8,200 feet). The wreck, provisionally named Camarat 4, is a remarkably well-preserved 16th-century Italian merchant vessel from the Renaissance period. Measuring about 30 meters long and 7 meters wide, the ship was initially detected by sonar and later explored with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), revealing an intact cargo including nearly 200 Ligurian ceramic jugs, iron bars, artillery pieces, an anchor, and yellow-glazed plates. Despite some contamination from modern debris like plastic bottles and fishing nets, the archaeological significance remains exceptional. The ship likely originated from Liguria, northern Italy, as indicated by the ceramic artifacts bearing mid-16th-century Ligurian motifs and the vessel’s design consistent with Ligurian or Genoese merchant ships. Such vessels were integral to Italy’s Renaissance-era
robotunderwater-droneremotely-operated-vehiclemaritime-archaeologyshipwreck-discoverymarine-technologydeep-sea-explorationNew Electric Boat Line Coming - CleanTechnica
ACEL Power, a Canadian leader in intelligent electric propulsion systems, has partnered with Madrid-based boat builder Vector Náutico to launch a new electric boat line called MOLA-e. Designed for coastal and inland cruising, the boats measure 5.99 meters in length and come in two configurations: a 50HP model with a 32 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and a 75HP model with a 43 kWh LFP battery. These batteries offer high energy density, extended lifecycle, and enhanced thermal stability, enabling zero-emission propulsion without sacrificing performance. The MOLA-e line aims to combine luxury yacht design with the accessibility of a day cruiser, featuring optimized hull geometry for improved range and handling, as well as wide swim platforms for easy water access. The first units are expected to debut in mid-2025, with sea trials and showcase events planned across Spain. Pricing and customization details will be released closer to the launch. Both companies emphasize sustainability and reliability, positioning
energyelectric-boatselectric-propulsionLFP-batterysustainable-transportationzero-emissionmarine-technologyChina's new deep-ocean drilling vessel aims to go beyond Earth's crust
China has launched the Meng Xiang, its first domestically designed and built deep-ocean drilling vessel, capable of drilling up to 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) beneath the ocean floor. Officially commissioned in November 2024 in Guangzhou, the vessel is set to begin drilling operations in the South China Sea later in 2025, continuing through 2035. The Meng Xiang aims to advance understanding of the Earth’s deep interior, particularly the boundary between the crust and mantle known as the Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho), which has previously been studied mainly through indirect methods like seismology and volcanic mineral analysis. The Meng Xiang is China’s largest scientific research vessel, measuring nearly 180 meters in length and displacing 42,600 tonnes. It features a first-of-its-kind hydraulic lifting rig capable of both oil and gas exploration and scientific core sampling, supporting four drilling modes and three coring methods to accommodate diverse geological conditions. The ship can operate unassisted for 120 days, has a range of 15,000 nautical miles, and houses nine advanced laboratories covering fields such as geology, geochemistry, microbiology, and ocean science. Additionally, it includes the world’s first automated shipborne core sample storage system and is engineered to withstand super typhoons, ensuring safe operation in extreme sea conditions. This vessel represents a significant step forward in marine science and technology, offering unprecedented opportunities to study the Earth’s deep ocean and interior.
energydeep-ocean-drillingscientific-research-vesseloil-and-gas-explorationnatural-gas-hydratehydraulic-lifting-rigmarine-technologyScientists build €8 underwater data hubs from old smartphones
robotIoTenergymaterialsdata-centerssustainabilitymarine-technologyRolls-Royce unveils monster 12-cylinder diesel engine for faster, greener superyachts
energysustainable-propulsionmarine-technologyRolls-Roycediesel-engineemissions-reductionrenewable-dieselArc’s new 24-foot electric boat is its cheapest yet
electric-boatsArcclean-energymarine-technologyelectric-vehiclessustainable-transportationbattery-technology