As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The U.S. Coast Guard announced yesterday it will invest nearly $350 million to expand robotics and autonomous systems, a move aimed at enhancing maritime operations, improving safety, and strengthening the service’s ability to respond to emergencies along U.S. waterways and coasts. The funding, provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), includes $11 million in fiscal year 2025 for immediate upgrades to critical unmanned systems. Initial investments include:

• $4.8 million to procure 16 VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for Deployable Specialized Forces.

• $2 million for six Qinetiq Squad Packable Utility Robot (SPUR) and 12 mini-SPUR unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for Coast Guard Strike Teams.

• $4.3 million for 125 SkyDio X10D short-range unmanned aircraft systems (SR-UAS).

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Could humanoid robots help solve some shipyard labor shortage issues? Houston-based AI startup Persona AI, founded in 2024 by former Nauticus Robotics CEO Nic Radford, has entered a collaboration with ABS that could make that start to happen. Under an MOU formalized by the parties today, the collaboration aims to develop inspection technologies for Persona AI’s humanoid robot platform that enhances productivity and safety in shipyards. The initiative will focus on adapting Persona AI’s humanoid robots, based in part on NASA’s robotic hand technology, for a range of shipyard tasks. Unlike traditional industrial robots, humanoid robots are uniquely suited to operate in shipyards designed for human workers, offering flexibility and mobility in complex, confined, or ergonomically challenging spaces.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Everett Ship Repair LLC (ESR), Everett, Wash., has just announced the acquisition of the floating dry dock, Hercules. The dry dock was towed from San Diego (where it previously operated as the NASSCO Builder) by Baydelta using its tug Delta Deanna, a tug built by ESR sister company Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. Hercules is now the largest dry dock in Puget Sound and represents a major milestone in ESR’s commitment to expanding regional ship repair capacity for commercial and government operators across the West Coast. The Hercules significantly expands ESR’s capabilities, allowing the company to accommodate larger vessels than ever before. With a lifting capacity of 35,000 LT, an inside beam of 135 feet, and a length of 820 feet, the dry dock will enable the safe docking of some of the West Coast’s largest ships. This acquisition reinforces ESR’s position as a critical resource to the West Coast maritime industry and strengthens its ability to serve the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, continued support of Washington State Ferries and a wide range of commercial vessels.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. LNG has created a strong basis in terms of safety, emissions, availability and costs that biomethane and e-methane benefit from, says Lana Sissing, Client Manager at Titan Clean Fuels. While there is still plenty of scope for growth, LNG is now, in many respects, a mainstream marine fuel. It has been incrementally scaled, commoditized and commercialized over decades. At Titan, we are open to any fuel pathway that can substantially decarbonize shipping, but we do recognize that shipowners following the LNG route today have a head start that should not be overlooked. The current orderbook for LNG-fueled vessels underlines that many shipowners already appreciate this realistic route to net-zero shipping. According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, 28 new alternative-fueled vessels were added to the orderbook in July, 22 of which were for LNG dual fuel ships. LNG dual-fuel vessels make up around one third of the newbuild orderbook. 

Continuing the 2024 trend, LNG bunkering volumes are also growing. According to SEA-LNG, Q1 2025 volumes in Rotterdam grew by 7% compared with the same period in 2024, and Singapore reported 18% growth over the first five months of 2025 versus 2024. LNG bunkering is developing rapidly in the Western Mediterranean and China too.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Nearly two years after the project was unveiled, construction started today in China for what is likely to become the world’s first ammonia-fueled containership. The project, which is being led by CMB.TECH, as part of its efforts to accelerate the transition in the shipping industry, will launch a vessel that they report will transform short-sea shipping and demonstrate the potential of ammonia as a low-emission fuel. The vessel, which is named Yara Eyde, is being built in China the Qingdao Yangfang Shipbuilding and will be a 1,400 TEU ice-class containership optimized for operations between Norway and Germany.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a small international skill-building program for American shipbuilding workers, designed to connect community colleges and technical schools in the U.S. with training programs overseas. The knowledge exchange would help bring cutting-edge practices from East Asian yards back to the United States - one of many steps that the Trump administration is taking in an attempt to boost shipbuilding capability at home. 

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Ammonia has progressed from concept to early implementation in just five years, establishing a pathway to become a low-GHG alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping, according to a new report from DNV. The report, “Ammonia in Shipping: Tracing the Emergence of a New Fuel,” addresses key barriers to ammonia adoption while outlining a two-phase pathway for its widespread implementation in the maritime industry. The first phase envisions building a pioneering fleet of several dozen ammonia-powered vessels with trained crews and bunkering capabilities at about a dozen ports. The second phase would expand to global infrastructure, increased production, and comprehensive IMO regulations.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. ABS examines LNG, methanol and ammonia as alternative fuel options for newbuild vessels in the latest technical and operational advisory. Vessel owners and operators are increasingly prioritizing dual-fuel propulsion solutions to address two key objectives: reducing fuel costs and meeting global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions regulations. ABS’s comprehensive technical and operational advisory takes a closer look at three primary dual-fuel solutions on the horizon for newbuild vessels: LNG, methanol and ammonia. This ABS advisory provides shipowners with a comprehensive and practical examination of alternative fuel pathways helping them meet the global emissions reduction targets and operational efficiency goals amidst all the different regulatory pressures.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Vigor Marine Group (VMG) announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) that will bring expanded forward-deployed maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity to the Indo-Pacific region, offering the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command (MSC) a compelling new option to keep vessels mission-ready. In addition, the two leading companies may explore opportunities to support a U.S. shipbuilding renaissance, including a return to Vigor Marine Group’s shipbuilding roots in the Pacific Northwest. The U.S. Navy has been actively seeking partners capable of executing forward repair to increase the availability of its fleet. Together, this partnership will combine VMG’s deep customer relationships, proven ability to deliver complex projects on time and on budget, and innovative, commercial mindset with SHI’s world-class Korean shipyard facilities, skilled workforce, and advanced technology leadership. The result is a powerful new forward repair solution designed to add high-quality repair capacity and operational agility, with Vigor Marine Group as the lead U.S.-based prime contractor.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston-based technology and shipbuilding company designing and building highly producible unmanned ships for the U.S. Navy, announced today $50 million in Series A funding led by GV. All existing investors, Eclipse, Riot, and Impatient Ventures, participated. Today’s announcement follows Blue Water’s $14 million seed round announced in April 2025, bringing the company’s total funding raised to $64 million. As part of today’s news, GV Managing Partner Dave Munichiello joins the company’s board of directors. With this funding, Blue Water Autonomy will build and deploy its first long-range, full-sized autonomous ship next year. Since the seed round, the team has quadrupled in size, completed successful on water engineering tests, and started ac

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch have announced the launch of the USCG Recreational Boat Regulations Certification course. This program equips marine industry professionals with the knowledge to meet federal requirements for new recreational boats manufactured or imported for sale in the U.S. “Compliance with federal regulations is essential for safety, and we are pleased to announce the availability of this new course,” said Jeff Ludwig, chief of the recreational boating product assurance branch at the U.S. Coast Guard. “Anyone involved in the manufacture of recreational boats should strongly consider taking it to ensure that they have the knowledge to build boats that are compliant with U.S. Coast Guard requirements.”

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The U.S. Department of Commerce yesterday expanded the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, adding more than 400 derivative products that are now subject to a 50% tariff. According to an NMMA statement: “Several marine products could now be subject to these new tariff rates, and NMMA encourages members to work with [their] team[s] and suppliers to identify the corresponding HTS (harmonized tariff schedule) codes with imported components, parts or products.” The announcement is the culmination of the first round of an inclusion process that began in May, which allowed domestic aluminum and steel producers to advocate for additional HTS codes and products to be subject to the 50% tariff on aluminum and steel derivative products. A second inclusion process is expected to begin in September.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association yesterday announced that Gov. Maura Healey signed the 2026 state budget, which includes $150,000 for workforce development and career technical education initiatives for the boating industry.

According to a statement, the funding will support schools that provide training within the industry. The funds were introduced through budget amendments sponsored in the senate by Sen. Patrick O’Connor of the Plymouth and Norfolk District, and in the house by Rep. Jessica Giannino of the 16th Suffolk District, joined in leadership by Sen. Paul Feeney and Rep. Steven Xiarhos.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Shipping is an industry that often prides itself on tradition. But some traditions shouldn’t continue, especially when they create added burdens on crews. Today, the reality on many vessels is that seafarers are still forced to manage an overwhelming amount of paper logs, excel sheets, and manual reports to demonstrate compliance. This outdated approach doesn’t just waste time, it actively undermines safety and wellbeing. One of the most prominent examples is the routine adjustment of work and rest hour records to “make them look right.” In many cases, it’s a direct result of crews being asked to do too much with too few people. When crews are stretched too thinly, fatigue can become a constant risk.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has christened its fully unmanned warship prototype, the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS).  DARPA pioneered the U.S. military's unmanned-vessel efforts with the launch of the ACTUV / Sea Hunter system in 2016. The much larger NOMARS design evolved in parallel with the Navy's crewboat-influenced systems, variously named Ghost Fleet Overlord, MUSV, FUSV and (most recently) MASC.  NOMARS is designed to maneuver around the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base's limitations. Its hull design has fine lines for speed, but it's simple enough to build at any Tier III shipyard with room for a 180-foot boat of 240 tonnes displacement, DARPA says. That specification means that many workboat and yacht yards could bid, so the ship could be built at scale without the wait times of the overburdened Tier I prime contractors. (The Defiant prototype was built at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, a well-regarded yard not previously known for warship construction.)

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. SAFE Boats International has been awarded a contract to build a new fireboat for the city of Bremerton Fire Department. This award is especially meaningful for SAFE Boats, whose headquarters and manufacturing operations are based in Bremerton.

The new vessel will be a custom-built 33-foot full cabin fireboat equipped with a 1,000-gpm fire pump, mounted aft to meet ISO standards. Purpose-built to meet Bremerton Fire Department’s mission-specific requirements, the boat will feature a drop bow for shore access, twin Mercury 400-hp outboards, and exceptional speed and maneuverability for rapid response in the dynamic environments of Puget Sound.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. As the U.S. offshore energy landscape rapidly evolves—with growing momentum in offshore wind and heightened regulatory scrutiny in oil and gas—developers are facing a complex legal environment shaped by shifting policies, environmental challenges, and financial risks. Marine Log spoke with Jana Grauberger, a partner at Liskow & Lewis in Houston, to unpack the key legal and regulatory issues impacting federal offshore leasing, permitting, decommissioning, and compliance for both traditional and renewable energy sectors.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The U.S. Coast Guard is to designate its new fleet of Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCCs) as the “Chief Petty Officer Class.” Each cutter will be named in honor of a Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, recognizing the profound impact and legacy of these leaders within the service. The new cutters will replace the Coast Guard’s aging river tender fleet, facilitating the safe, secure and reliable flow of commerce throughout the national Marine Transportation System (MTS). With America’s MTS supporting $5.4 trillion of economic activity, the WCCs will maintain aids to navigation that enable safe movement of food, energy, consumer goods, and raw materials between producers and consumers. Through their stewardship of the MTS, including vital system of aids to navigation, the WCC fleet will play a critical role in advancing America’s economic security and protecting vital ports and waterways.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The Anacortes-based crew of the custom Perry-designed 48-foot sailboat, One Ocean, is now several months into their expedition to circumnavigate the “One Island” of North and South America. They are led by Captain Mark Schrader and Project Director (and author of this article) Jennifer Dalton. All along the way, the voyage balances research and education—with several scientists aboard who are working with professional researchers ashore to gather data that helps better illuminate ocean health and challenges. The crew then actively shares this info as well as stories of their adventures, connecting and educating communities and students far and wide. What follows is an excellent sea story about their passage across the Bering Sea enroute to the Northwest passage. 

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. With its floating classroom barge and hands-on workshops, the Mississippi River Institute is connecting young adults and school-aged kids to the river’s ecological and economic importance, while opening their eyes to careers they may have never considered. From towboat captains and deckhands to fisheries biologists and hydrologists, the program immerses students in the working river, guided by industry professionals who share their own stories, skills, and career paths. In this Q&A, Marine Log talks with Rachel Loomis, Mississippi River Institute manager and educator, about how the institute is inspiring the next generation to see the Mississippi River as “2,300 miles of opportunity.”