Arctic Security Cutter rendering for Helsinki Shipyard and Davie

Davie and Helsinki Shipyard Ink Contract for Five More USCG Arctic Cutters

Blue Water Uses a Damen Design to Speed Up Unmanned-Vessel Program

Published Feb 11, 2026 6:55 PM by The Maritime Executive

The American autonomous-vessel company Blue Water Autonomy has released the first renderings of its new contender for the U.S. Navy's oceangoing unmanned surface vessel procurement program, which was recently restructured and renamed "Modular Attack Surface Craft" (MASC). The new "Liberty-class" design - a nod to the mass-produced Liberty ships of World War II - is a 190-foot steel-hulled autonomous vessel, capable of carrying four 40-foot containerized systems for flexible loadout. The hull is based on a Damen Axe Bow patrol...

UK Report on Fatal 2023 Collision Finds Vessels Did Not Follow Safety Regs

Published Feb 11, 2026 6:43 PM by The Maritime Executive

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch issued its final report on the October 2023 collision of two cargo ships in the German area of the North Sea, calling the accident “wholly avoidable.” It was critical of the actions of both crews, calling their attitudes “reckless,” and also criticizing the efforts of the German Bight vessel traffic service. The UK conducted the investigation because the five seafarers who perished were working aboard the Isle of Man-registered general cargo ship Verity, a...

As DHS Bill Showdown Looms, U.S. Coast Guard Could See Funding Delayed

Published Feb 11, 2026 5:34 PM by The Maritime Executive

The looming expiration of federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security could potentially slow down some of the U.S. Coast Guard's historic progress on procurement, but is unlikely to impact day-to-day operations and servicemember pay, according to observers of the appropriations process. Democrats in Congress are not inclined to support funding for DHS as a whole without major changes at the top, given the recent immigration-enforcement mishaps in Minneapolis. Members of the opposition have called for stricter requirements for...

Saltchuk Agrees to Buy Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in $1.5B Deal

Published Feb 11, 2026 5:23 PM by The Maritime Executive

Saltchuk Resources, which continues to build a diversified holding in marine services, freight transport, and energy distribution, has agreed to buy Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Corporation, the largest provider of dredging services in the United States. The deal, which has a total value of $1.5 billion, is an all-cash offer for the public company, which will become a standalone business within the private, family-owned Saltchuk group. A 136-year-old business, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock reports it has a fleet...

Shipping

First Maersk – Gemini Cooperation Flagship Transits Suez Canal

The first of Maersk’s flagship dual-fuel methanol vessels made its scheduled eastbound transit of the Suez Canal, marking the return of one of the liner routes to the Suez – Red Sea corridor. Maersk had recently announced its Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd would be restoring a route operating between the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India as the first since the beginning of 2024, and the start of the hostilities by the Houthis. Maersk, in December and January, made trial trips...

Tugs & Salvage

Philippine Coast Guard personnel recover a body at the wreck site of the Trisha Kerstin 3, February 10 (PCG)

Philippine Government Fires 14 Officials Over Deadly Ferry Disaster

An investigation into the deadly sinking of the ferry Trisha Kerstin 3 has determined that the vessel was overloaded on the casualty voyage, according to the Philippines' Department of Transportation. In a swift response, the Philippine government has fired the local chief of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the head of the Zamboanga station of the Philippine Coast Guard, and 12 other officials. In addition, at least three people - including Zamboanga MARINA director Jedini Nur Sibal - face administrative...

Government

Blue Water Uses a Damen Design to Speed Up Unmanned-Vessel Program

Corporate News

Army Corps and Eastern Shipbuilding Group Hold Keel Laying Ceremony

[By: Eastern Shipbuilding Group] On January 22, 2026, Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) and partners, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Royal IHC, held a keel laying ceremony for the ongoing construction of the Dredge DONNELLY at Eastern’s Allanton Facility. “As the shipbuilder for the DONNELLY, this keel laying represents an important production milestone for our team and a clear demonstration of the progress being made on this vessel,” said Joey D’Isernia, Chairman and CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group. “Our...

Cruise Ships

Carnival Australia Says NMU is Recruiting by Filing “Whistleblower” Report

Carnival Cruise Line’s Australia operations have become the target of a campaign by the Maritime Union of Australia (NMU), which this week resulted in an unscheduled inspection by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The cruise line is calling the MNU’s actions an effort to get attention and launch a membership drive, while the union is accusing the cruise line of low wages and poor working conditions aboard its ship homeported in Australia. Carnival Cruise Line has operated in Australia...

Ports

container stack collapse hitting barge alongside

USCG “Strongly Recommends” Safety Steps for Vessels During Cargo Ops

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Alert for vessels alongside during cargo operations based on recent incidents with containers going overboard. While the investigations are ongoing into the incidents, USCG says, based on its findings of no established policies or planning and ad-hoc communications, it issued the alert with its strong recommendations. In the Safety Alert, the USCG reveals that there were two recent incidents. The collapse of 95 containers from the vessel Mississippi operated by Zim made...

Shipping

First Maersk – Gemini Cooperation Flagship Transits Suez Canal

Tugs & Salvage

Philippine Government Fires 14 Officials Over Deadly Ferry Disaster

Government

Blue Water Uses a Damen Design to Speed Up Unmanned-Vessel Program

Corporate News

Army Corps and Eastern Shipbuilding Group Hold Keel Laying Ceremony

Cruise Ships

Carnival Australia Says NMU is Recruiting by Filing “Whistleblower” Report

Ports

USCG “Strongly Recommends” Safety Steps for Vessels During Cargo Ops

Offshore

Transocean Buys Valaris for $6 Billion, Creating New Industry Leader

Offshore drilling company Transocean has struck a deal to acquire competitor Valaris for $6 billion in stock, giving Transocean shareholders a 53 percent stake in the combined company. The transaction creates the largest drilling company in the world, valued at $17 billion. It will operate 33 ultradeepwater drillships, nine semisubs and 31 jackups - 73 rigs in total - across global markets. Transocean CEO and President Keelan Adamson suggested that the combination makes for "a very attractive investment" in offshore...

Shipbuilding

Innovative Low-Emission RoRo Launched in China for Airbus and LDA

The first of three innovative cargo RoRos was recently launched in China for LD Armateurs, which will operate the ships for Airbus. The vessels are designed to incorporate the latest technologies, including AI and wind-assisted propulsion, to reduce emissions. LDA ordered the ships in January 2024, highlighting them as the next generation in low-emission shipping. LDA currently operates two ships on a transatlantic route carrying assemblies from the Airbus plant in France to the United States. The largest of the...

Environment

Navigating the Deadlock: Accelleron’s Daniel Bischofberger on Green Fuels

Accelleron, a leading provider of turbocharging, fuel injection, and digital solutions for marine engines and ships, recently released a study on the multifaceted, multi-industry challenges slowing shipping's transition to carbon-neutral fuels. TME recently spoke with CEO Daniel Bischofberger about the current state of marine decarbonization, regional developments in Asia-Pacific, and the path forward for the industry. Can you describe the current state of shipping's transition to carbon-neutral fuels? The ships are ready, but the fuel is not. The technology exists...

Business

Saltchuk Agrees to Buy Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in $1.5B Deal

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Davie and Helsinki Shipyard Ink Contract for Five More USCG Arctic Cutters

Blue Water Uses a Damen Design to Speed Up Unmanned-Vessel Program

UK Report on Fatal 2023 Collision Finds Vessels Did Not Follow Safety Regs

As DHS Bill Showdown Looms, U.S. Coast Guard Could See Funding Delayed

Saltchuk Agrees to Buy Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in $1.5B Deal

First Maersk – Gemini Cooperation Flagship Transits Suez Canal

Philippine Government Fires 14 Officials Over Deadly Ferry Disaster

Blue Water Uses a Damen Design to Speed Up Unmanned-Vessel Program

Army Corps and Eastern Shipbuilding Group Hold Keel Laying Ceremony

Carnival Australia Says NMU is Recruiting by Filing “Whistleblower” Report

USCG “Strongly Recommends” Safety Steps for Vessels During Cargo Ops

Environmental Remediation at Aging Ports

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

The Modular Pivot: Repurposing Containers as Strategic Infrastructure

First Maersk – Gemini Cooperation Flagship Transits Suez Canal

Philippine Government Fires 14 Officials Over Deadly Ferry Disaster

Blue Water Uses a Damen Design to Speed Up Unmanned-Vessel Program

Army Corps and Eastern Shipbuilding Group Hold Keel Laying Ceremony

Carnival Australia Says NMU is Recruiting by Filing “Whistleblower” Report

USCG “Strongly Recommends” Safety Steps for Vessels During Cargo Ops

Transocean Buys Valaris for $6 Billion, Creating New Industry Leader

Innovative Low-Emission RoRo Launched in China for Airbus and LDA

Navigating the Deadlock: Accelleron’s Daniel Bischofberger on Green Fuels

Saltchuk Agrees to Buy Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in $1.5B Deal

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Maritime Industry Conferences and Events