U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) has called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to explain its oversight of Jones Act waivers following reports that foreign-flagged vessels transported more than $40 million in petroleum products between U.S. ports without required disclosures.In an October 16 letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Carbajal, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, questioned whether foreign vessel operators benefiting from the waivers are complying with U.S. tax, immigration, labor and maritime regulations.
German defense contractor Rheinmetall and Swiss shipping company MSC have won an auction to acquire Romania's Mangalia shipyard for approximately $155 million (€138 million), with plans to develop the facility for both commercial and military shipbuilding.The acquisition, expected to be completed within a few weeks, will be jointly funded by the two companies, Rheinmetall said.The shipyard, located south of Constanța, will be developed into a dual-use facility serving domestic and international markets
Critical infrastructure has never been more connected. Across ports, energy networks and industrial facilities, operators have access to unprecedented volumes of operational data generated by sensors, surveillance systems, satellite imagery, connected equipment and digital monitoring platforms. Every day, these technologies provide valuable insights into the performance, condition and security of critical assets. Yet despite this growing visibility, one challenge continues to persist.The problem is no longer collecting operational data.
Sometime back in the fall of 2025, I was contacted by a prominent national television, radio, and print news reporter with a surprising (but understandable under the circumstances) request for background information to inform her reporting. She was working on a story covering the numerous lethal military strikes on alleged drug trafficking speedboats (lanchas) in international waters and the waters of Central and South American countries that we all were seeing and hearing about in the news.
The United States’ Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions have good dredging stories to tell. Major channel projects have been completed. Ports are investing in new capacity. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and its partners are advancing more work across the region. At the same time, maintenance dredging keeps the channels that the private sector dredging industry built open for business.That progress is easy to see in Virginia. In February 2026, dredging was substantially completed on the Port of Virginia’s $450 million harbor and channel improvement project.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has signed an agreement with Shimonoseki City in Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture to acquire industrial land on the artificial island of Choshu Dejima, supporting a major expansion of its shipbuilding capacity.The project, undertaken by MHI subsidiary Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, is expected to involve an investment of approximately 100 billion yen ($660 million), with up to 40 billion yen ($264 million) potentially covered by Japanese government subsidies.
Crowley has accepted delivery of Venture, a new chartered tug that will provide ship assist and escort operations in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The addition of the vessel expands Crowley’s capability to serve customers calling on the Southern California gateway, where harbor tugs play a critical role in the safe movement of vessels transporting cargo through the ports. Purpose-built at Diversified Marine, Inc. for ship assist and escort operations, the 82-ft.
Viking Yacht Company is evaluating WhaleSpotter, an artificial intelligence (AI) whale detection system, aboard its new Viking 70 Convertible demonstration vessel. The technology uses thermal imaging and AI to identify whales ahead of moving vessels, providing captains with advance warning to help prevent collisions.Installed by Viking subsidiary Atlantic Marine Electronics, the system features a thermal camera and processing computer mounted on the yacht's tuna tower. A tablet at the helm displays thermal imagery, estimated distance and bearing, while an audible alarm alerts the captain.
Advanced Polymer Coatings (APC) expanded its international maritime sales team with two appointments.James Kennedy has been appointed to lead sales across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. Mark Isherwood will oversee sales in Northern Europe.“James and Mark bring valuable experience and expertise that will help us further develop customer relationships in these regions, support our existing business, and identify new opportunities,” said Peter Stoyles, APC Global Sales Manager.
SKF opened its new Ceramic Process Laboratory (C-Pro Lab) at its R&D Centre in Houten, The Netherlands. This capability strengthens SKF’s technology leadership across the complete ceramic manufacturing value chain, from raw material powder processing to high-performance component engineering, boosting the global adoption of advanced hybrid bearing technology.“Ceramic and hybrid bearing technologies are essential enablers for clean and reliable rotation in next-generation industrial electrical applications. The C-Pro Lab enables full mastery over the end-to-end ceramic process.
WinGD recorded the first in-service operation of its X-DF-M/E alcohol fuel engine platform on ethanol fuel, following a successful bunkering and voyage in the US. The 9,000 TEU container ship Tangier Maersk, owned by the Maersk shipping line, successfully sailed from Houston to New York on ethanol fuel.The vessel took on the bunker at the Port of Houston in late September, with the world’s largest bioethanol producer POET supplying fuel for the WinGD X82DF-Mengine powering the vessel.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri, received the National Italian American Foundation's (NIAF) Dea Roma Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership in Maritime Industry during the organization's 51st Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.The award marks the first time NIAF has recognized an executive specifically for leadership and achievements in the international maritime industry.