Articles tagged with "maritime-technology"
Wouldn't You Really Rather Have An Electric Ferry?
The article highlights the growing momentum toward electric ferries as a key component in decarbonizing urban mass transit, with a focus on New York City’s evolving ferry systems. While New York’s ferry networks—including the Staten Island Ferry, NYC Ferry, and Governors Island services—have made strides toward sustainability by adopting renewable diesel and hybrid-electric technologies, they have yet to fully transition to the electric ferries of the future. Notably, Governors Island recently introduced the Harbor Charger, New York State’s first hybrid electric ferry, featuring Siemens’ BlueDrive diesel-electric propulsion and energy storage systems. A standout innovation comes from Artemis Technologies, a Belfast-based maritime design firm pioneering a 100% electric hydrofoil ferry, the EF-24 Passenger vessel. Hydrofoils lift the ferry hull above water to reduce drag, enabling smoother, quieter, and more efficient travel. Artemis is actively engaging with New York City during Climate Week 2025 to explore route optimization and has initiated pilot studies in Europe to test the ferry
energyelectric-ferryrenewable-energybattery-powereddecarbonizationmaritime-technologysustainable-transportationWorld's largest unmanned surface vehicle gets approval for ocean missions
The Saildrone Surveyor, a fully autonomous 65-foot-long unmanned surface vehicle (USV), has become the world’s largest USV to receive class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). This certification, awarded on August 27, 2025, confirms that the Surveyor meets stringent international safety and design standards, enabling it to conduct extended deep-sea missions independently across all oceans. Developed by California-based Saildrone Technologies, the Surveyor is designed for ocean mapping, maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, supporting military, homeland security, and commercial operations in some of the most challenging marine environments. This milestone reflects years of investment by ABS to adapt classification standards to emerging autonomous maritime technologies. The Surveyor’s certification signals its maturity, safety, and readiness for large-scale deployment, marking a significant advancement in autonomous maritime operations. Unlike smaller models such as the 32-foot Voyager, the Surveyor’s long-endurance and deepwater capabilities greatly expand the operational potential of
robotautonomous-vehicleunmanned-surface-vehiclemaritime-technologyocean-mappingSaildroneABS-certificationRussia appoints world's first female captain of nuclear icebreaker
Russia has appointed Marina Starovoitova as the world’s first female captain of a nuclear-powered icebreaker, marking a historic milestone in maritime leadership. The announcement was made by Rosatom, Russia’s national nuclear corporation, during the 80th anniversary celebrations of the country’s atomic industry. Starovoitova will command the Yamal, a prominent vessel in Russia’s Arctic fleet, which includes over 40 icebreakers, eight of them nuclear-powered. These ships play a critical role in maintaining navigation along the increasingly important Northern Sea Route as Arctic ice recedes. Starovoitova’s career is notable for her transition from a rural schoolteacher in western Russia to a seasoned maritime professional with more than 20 years of experience. She steadily advanced through maritime ranks, serving as senior assistant and chief mate on the Yamal before earning her captain’s badge. Her appointment highlights both her dedication and the evolving role of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. Upon receiving her captaincy, Starovoit
energynuclear-powericebreakerArctic-shippingmaritime-technologyRosatomNorthern-Sea-RouteUK submarine drone controlled from Australia over 10,000 miles away
The UK Royal Navy has successfully demonstrated remote operation of its new Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV), named Excalibur, from over 10,000 miles away in Australia while the drone was submerged at its home base in Plymouth, UK. This milestone was achieved during Exercise Talisman Sabre in July, as part of the AUKUS security partnership involving the US, UK, and Australia. The trial showcased the interoperability of XLUUVs between the UK and Australia and was conducted under the AUKUS Pillar II “Maritime Big Play” initiative, which aims to advance the collective use of robotics and autonomous systems at sea. Japan also participated by helping improve underwater acoustic communications. Excalibur, unveiled in May and built by Plymouth-based MSubs through the three-year Project Cetus, is the Royal Navy’s largest uncrewed underwater platform, measuring 39 feet long and capable of diving deeper than manned submarines. It is designed primarily
robotautonomous-underwater-vehiclesubmarine-dronemilitary-roboticsremote-operationmaritime-technologyAUKUSWorld's first sea-skimming drone can hit enemies at 124 mph speed
An Ankara-based company, Solid Aero, has unveiled TALAY, the world’s first sea-skimming multipurpose drone capable of flying just 9.8 feet above the sea surface at speeds up to 124 mph. Designed to operate stealthily beneath typical radar horizons, TALAY utilizes the ground effect phenomenon as an ekranoplan (Wing-in-Ground vehicle) to achieve lift and agility. The autonomous drone can carry up to 66 pounds of sensors or munitions, with an endurance of about three hours and the ability to operate in challenging sea state three conditions. Its compact design features foldable wings, a low radar cross-section, and an electric propulsion system powered by a Li-Po battery, enabling silent and swift mission engagement over a communication range of 124 miles. TALAY is optimized for maritime and coastal missions, capable of performing patrol, reconnaissance, strike, or cargo tasks with advanced AI-powered flight control software and preloaded coordinates for precision. It can conduct harbor attacks and target
robotdroneautonomous-systemsAI-poweredelectric-propulsionmaritime-technologyunmanned-aerial-vehicleMassive 123-foot wind wings to propel giant tankers and slash CO2
The article discusses the pioneering installation of BAR Technologies' WindWings propulsion system on two new LR2 dual-fuel tankers, Suzuka and Long Beach, marking one of the first large-scale wind-assisted propulsion deployments for this vessel class. Each 820-foot tanker will be equipped with two 123-foot WindWings, designed using Bernoulli’s principle, aiming to significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The project, involving design by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute and construction by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry, follows successful integration of the system on a smaller tanker, Brands Hatch. Construction is set to begin in November 2025, with delivery expected in early 2027. The WindWings system is projected to save about three tons of fuel daily per vessel, cutting approximately 2,300 tons of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to removing over 500 passenger cars from the road. This supports early compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s 2030 targets for greenhouse
energywind-powermaritime-technologysustainable-shippingcarbon-emissions-reductiondual-fuel-tankersrenewable-energyWind-powered cargo ship hits 99.6% use, cuts 20 tons CO2 daily
The Canopée cargo ship, the world’s first hybrid electric and thermal-powered industrial vessel equipped with four automated OceanWings vertical sails, has successfully completed two years of continuous operation transporting Ariane 6 rocket parts between Europe and French Guiana. This pioneering wind-assisted propulsion system has demonstrated significant real-world fuel savings, averaging 5.2 tons daily, equivalent to about 1,200 kW of engine power saved. Each wingsail contributes roughly 1.3 tons of daily fuel savings, translating to over 20.8 tons of CO2 emissions avoided per day. The system has achieved an impressive 99.6% operational availability, underscoring its reliability and efficiency in commercial shipping. The Canopée’s performance highlights the potential of wind propulsion as a practical solution to reduce the maritime sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, which currently account for 3% of global emissions despite shipping transporting 90% of goods worldwide. On recent transatlantic voyages, the ship recorded even higher
energyhybrid-powerwind-propulsioncarbon-emissions-reductionmaritime-technologysustainable-shippingOceanWingsFrench shipyard floats out world's largest luxury sail yacht cruise
The Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest luxury sail yacht cruise ship, recently floated out at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, marking its official debut on the water. Weighing 26,200 gross tons and measuring 727 feet (220 meters) in length, the vessel is a joint project between the famed Orient Express train service and French hospitality group Accor. Designed to accommodate 110 passengers in 54 suites, the yacht will sail through the French and Italian Rivieras, Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, before crossing the Atlantic to spend winters in the Caribbean. Its maiden voyage is scheduled for mid-2026, following construction that began in March 2024. The ship features innovative and sustainable technologies, including three balestron rigs with pivoting and tilting masts that carry over 16,000 square feet of sail each, enabling it to operate primarily on renewable wind power. A hybrid propulsion system using liqu
energyrenewable-energyhybrid-propulsionAI-powered-detectionmaritime-technologyballast-water-treatmentdynamic-positioningWorld-1st stable deployment of atomic clock on HMS Puncher completed
Aquark Technologies, a UK quantum sensing specialist, has completed the world’s first stable deployment of a cold-atom-based atomic clock, called AQlock, on a moving maritime platform—the Royal Navy’s Archer-class patrol vessel HMS Puncher. The AQlock operated continuously over three days in the Solent area, marking a significant milestone for Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technology. This trial, supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and funded in part by Innovate UK’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), demonstrated the clock’s stability and robustness in harsh offshore conditions, aiming to reduce global reliance on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The AQlock improves conventional PNT by leveraging atoms cooled to near absolute zero to stabilize a conventional oscillator, thereby reducing long-term drift and maintaining high precision without frequent GNSS corrections. Aquark’s unique supermolasses trap technology underpins the system, making it highly robust, portable, more affordable, and suitable
energyatomic-clockquantum-sensingmaritime-technologynavigation-systemsGNSS-alternativesprecision-timingSaildrone, Meta complete robotic deep-water cable route survey - The Robot Report
Saildrone Inc., in partnership with Meta, successfully completed a 26-day autonomous deep-water cable route survey in the North Atlantic using the Saildrone Surveyor, a 20-meter uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). The Surveyor mapped over 4,500 km of seabed, including complex topographies, without requiring port calls or external assistance. Equipped with advanced sensors such as the Kongsberg EM304 MKII multibeam sonar and powered by AI algorithms, the USV demonstrated data quality and operational performance comparable to traditional crewed survey vessels. Key metrics like route fidelity, line keeping, data transmission, and depth accuracy met or exceeded expectations, proving autonomous ocean mapping is both feasible and highly effective. The mission emphasized minimizing health, safety, and environmental risks by enabling remote operations, allowing hydrographic surveyors and engineers to work from shore-based offices rather than offshore, thus reducing physical and mental strain. Environmentally, the Surveyor avoided approximately 243 tons of CO₂ emissions—over 50 times less than conventional vessels—highlighting the sustainability benefits of uncrewed systems. This successful demonstration not only supports Meta’s growing subsea cable infrastructure needs but also signals broader potential for USVs in subsea telecommunications, offshore energy, and national hydrographic programs, with future efforts aimed at expanding operational capabilities.
roboticsautonomous-vehiclesunderwater-mappinguncrewed-surface-vehicleAI-sensorssubsea-cable-surveymaritime-technologyFortescue Determined to Decarbonise International Shipping - CleanTechnica
energydecarbonisationgreen-hydrogenammonia-fuelshipping-emissionsrenewable-energymaritime-technologyNew nuclear reactor built for world's most powerful icebreaker
energynuclear-reactoricebreakerArctic-shippingRosatomRITM-400maritime-technologyUK firm debuts world’s longest-range drone ship with 8,500-mile reach
robotIoTenergyautonomous-vesselshybrid-propulsionmaritime-technologyunmanned-systemsBoosted by defense and Starlink, Orca AI pulls in $72.5M for its autonomous shipping platform
autonomous-shippingAI-navigationdefense-technologyIoTfuel-efficiencymaritime-technologyStarlink