CBP and Royal Caribbean Use Biometric Facial Recognition Technology in Puerto Rico
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in collaboration with Royal Caribbean, conducted the first biometric debarkation for Royal Caribbean cruise passengers on Feb. 2 when Rhapsody of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean vessel to utilize this technology at the San Juan Seaportâs Pier 4 in Puerto Rico.CBPâs biometric facial comparison technology streamlines the debarkation process, reducing clearanceâŠ
In 2025 AI Wonât Just be a Tool
Some expert thoughts on AI in 2025:âIn 2025, AI wonât just be a tool; it will be a collaborator.ââIn 2025, the most productive employees will work alongside AI agents.âAI agents are an advance on large language models (LLMs). LLMs at present are popularly used as creative and conversational search engines. They canât directly interact with external tools or data processing system or autonomously set up systems to monitor and collect ongoing data.
MARAD Not Ready for Workforce Challenges Ahead
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) needs to take action to help address workforce challenges.MARAD has about 800 employees, but the agency is facing staff turnover, high numbers of employees eligible to retire and vacancies in critical positions. And it doesn't have a strategic human capital plan to address how it will hire and retain employees.As of September 2024âŠ
Seaspan Invests $2.5 Million in Indigenous Shipbuilding Training
Seaspan has made a $2.5 million investment to create new skills training and apprenticeship opportunities for Indigenous People in Greater Vancouver.The five-year funding program is a continuation of a longstanding partnership with the non-profit Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS).The ACCESS program helps prepare Indigenous community members for a career in shipbuilding by providing industry-recognized skills training through local collegesâŠ
Mega Machines & Manson Construction
In this episode of Maritime Matters:Manson Construction is a U.S. Jones Act dredging and marine construction firm, founded in 1905 and family owned until converting to an employee-owned company in 2012. Fred Paup, Chairman of the Board, EVP, discussed with Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, to drivers for this multi-billion dollar company in 2025 and beyond, from finding and retaining the best crews, to the construction of the $200 million+ 15,000 cu. yd.
Navigating the Stormy Seas of U.S. Offshore Wind
Companies that once committed to investing in U.S. offshore wind infrastructure and supply chains are now scrapping their plans as the industry experiences significant challenges. These setbacks stem from project delays, soaring costs, and the potential loss of federal support under former President Donald Trumpâs proposed policies.The downturn in the offshore wind sector over the past two years has led to prolonged project delaysâŠ
Patrolling the Baltic, Estonian Navy is Prepared to Stop Vessels
Estonia's navy is prepared to act against vessels that pose a danger to Baltic Sea infrastructure even if they are in international waters, a senior official patrolling the busy Gulf of Finland shipping lane said.The Baltic Sea region is on alert and the NATO alliance has boosted its presence after a series of power cable, telecom and gas pipeline outages since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. MostâŠ
New Ferry Design for Caribbean Tourist Route
Incat Crowther designed a new 24-m passenger fast ferry for Caribbean operator Smith's Ferry Services. Built by Australian shipyard Aluminium Marine in Brisbane, the new ferry will transport 149 passengers at speeds of up to 28 knots and has been designed for the busy Charlotte Amalie (U.S Virgin Islands) to Road Town (British Virgin Islands) tourism route.The main deck can transport 118 passengers in air-conditioned comfort. It boasts a large service kiosk, two bathrooms, and luggage space.
NextWave Seafarers Project Launches to Address Global Seafarer Shortage
A groundbreaking initiative led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) aims to address the global seafarer shortageâŠ
ASRY Designates Repair Berth for Building Material Shipments
The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) has designated one of its repair berths to handle large shipments of construction materials, working with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, along with the national building firms. The move comes as demand for these materials continues to grow.The aim is to ensure a steady supply and avoid disruptions, keeping construction and infrastructure projects on track.
USCG Offloads Mmre than $275m in Cocaine in San Diego
The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) will offload approximately 37,256 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $275 million, at 1:30 p.m. on ThursdayâŠ
ABS' Wiernicki: "Nuclear Must Be Part of the Equation"
âNew nuclear technology is a global decarbonization solution and a commercial shipping disruptor. There is no net zero by 2050 without nuclear.âThat was the view from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki, speaking at the Core Power New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit.âNew nuclear is a transformational technology. It disrupts the commercial model, the economics of shipping, as well as the operation of vessels and, of course, their design,â said Wiernicki.
Eskola Named Executive Chair of Meyer Turku Oy Board
Meyer Turku Oy announced the appointment of Jaakko Eskola as the new Executive Chair of its Board of Directors.âWith Jaakko Eskola, we engage a proven professional who has an international maritime background and is well-established in the Finnish industry. He will play a crucial part in our continuous journey of developing Turku Shipyard further,â said Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku Oy. âWe have taken several steps to return to profitabilityâŠ
Contract Signed to Build 130m âHydrogen-Readyâ High-Speed Ferry
Austal Limited said that Austal Australasia has been awarded a contract valued between A$265 and A$275 million by Gotlandsbolaget of Sweden for the design and construction of a 130-m combined cycle, âhydrogen-readyâ vehicle passenger ferry. Part of Gotlandsbolagetâs âHorizon Xâ program, the high-speed ROPAX catamaran will be the largest vessel ever constructed by Austal, and feature a unique, highlyâŠ
Panama Registered Fleet Continues to Grow
Panama has achieved a 96.5% compliance rate with international maritime safety and environmental protection standards. The Panamanian fleet undergoes regular evaluations based on criteria established by key international frameworks, including various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) such as Paris, Tokyo, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the Black Sea, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Caribbean, RiyadhâŠ
Siemens, Compute Maritime Partner on Generative AI for Ship Design
Siemens Digital Industries Software announced a collaboration with Compute Maritime (CML) to revolutionize ship design and simulation and push the boundaries of generative AI in the ship design industry. The project focuses on connecting Compute Maritimeâs flagship platform for vessel design and optimization, NeuralShipper, with Siemensâ Simcenterâą STAR-CCM+âą software for Computational Fluid DynamicsâŠ
SGS Completes In-Water Thruster Install, Rudder Bushing Replacement
Subsea Global Solutions has executed a complex in-water thruster installation and rudder bushing replacement, eliminating the need for drydocking.Initially planned for drydock, the repairs were expedited in water when drydocking availability did not align with the vesselâs operational needs. The project was executed in Portland, Oregon, with support from multiple Subsea Global Solutions locations, including Long Beach, Port Angeles, Miami, and Houston.
Golar Sells LNGC Golar Arctic, Exits LNG Shipping Sector
Golar LNG Limited sold the 2003 built steam turbine LNG carrier, Golar Arctic for $24 million before transaction-related expenses, wit the transaction expected to close, and the vessel is to be handed over to its new owner within Q1 2025. Following the vessel sale, Golar will have fully exited its legacy shipping business.The LNG carrier Fuji LNG discharged its final cargo as an LNG carrier in January 2025 and has now arrived in ChinaâŠ
Obituary: Karl Kenny, Founder, Kraken Robotics
Kraken Robotics Inc. announced the passing of founder and former CEO, Karl Kenny on February 11, 2025, at the age of 64. Karl founded Kraken in 2012 and was instrumental in building the company into a leading player in subsea robotics over his 10-year tenure, before retiring in December 2022. âAn ideas man and a builder, Karlâs energy was as relentless as his passion to compete against the bigger industry players,â said Greg Reid, President and CEO of Kraken Robotics.
GasLog Selects Propulsion Analytics for Fleet Digital Engine Management
Gaslog, owner, operator and manager of 35 LNG carriers and one FSRU, has selected Propulsion Analytics to develop a customized version of the Engine Hyper Cube platform tailored specifically for its fleet.The platform will be enabled by Kongsberg Digitalâs Vessel Insight cloud infrastructure.It builds on Propulsion Analyticsâ core Engine Hyper Cube application, which performs continuous engine performanceâŠ
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