Surveillance & Maritime News for November 2025

Imagine a vessel in distress, the challenging weather and sea state, the distractions and the anxiety onboard the ship or liferaft. Whether a commercial ship, an offshore supply vessel, or a ferry, any emergency situation is extremely stressful, requiring calm decisions and actions by the captain and crew which could potentially save lives. Reliable electronic safety equipment For decades, with pyrotechnic flares as the accepted standard, a crew member has been expected to fumble for a flare...

The maritime community came together at Europort 2025, Rotterdam this week to focus minds on the ideas, innovation, and international collaboration needed by an industry that is simultaneously challenged by accelerating energy transition and digitalisation, financial uncertainty and the test of attracting next generation talent. The successful 42nd edition of Europort concluded following four intense days of conferences, networking, award ceremonies and high-powered panel discussions that asses...

Skyports Drone Services (Skyports), the global pioneer in drone-enabled delivery and inspection, has commenced operations for its clean maritime drone demonstrator “BlueWater 2”. The project will see Skyports demonstrating drones’ potential to improve maritime sustainability in the UK, conducting aerial emissions monitoring, offshore drone delivery, automated port surveillance and long-range maritime surveillance. How drones can enhance smart shipping? Supported by Innovate...

The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) has announced Fincantieri, one of the world’s pioneering shipbuilding groups, as the Diamond Sponsor for the ninth edition of the show scheduled to take place from 19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). The four-day event is held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Head of State and Supreme Commander of Q...

EST-Floattech has been selected to deliver its Octopus Lite battery system for a new series of six General Cargo Vessels. The vessels will be built by Ferus Smit in the Netherlands for Irish ship operator - Arklow Shipping.  Working closely with the shipyard, and with Eekels Technology - the vessels’ electrical systems provider - EST-Floattech designed the system to fit the sailing profile of the vessels perfectly. This close collaboration provides both technology and efficiency gain...

ship.energy will stage Maritime Week Africa 2026 (MWAF26) from 20-22 January 2026 at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa. The 17th edition will convene government, ports, suppliers, buyers and regulators to debate Africa’s bunkering outlook, with a forensic look at the fiscal, legal and operational challenges affecting South Africa’s competitiveness and wider African market developments.  “MWAF26 will deliver pragmatic insights on market d...

Technology group - Wärtsilä and Sinocrew Maritime Services, a globally renowned provider of integrated crew management and marine training services to the international shipping industry, have inaugurated an advanced maritime simulation suite in Beihai, China. The new simulation suite will provide advanced, simulation-based training to equip seafarers with the skills needed for the safe adoption of new decarbonisation technologies and will support the transformation of the maritime in...

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) held its Annual General Meeting and Semi-annual meetings at the Four Seasons Astir Palace in Athens on 3–4 November 2025, marking continued growth and important milestones in representing the dry bulk shipping sector. The events coincided with the Association’s 45th Anniversary Gala Dinner, attended by senior figures from the Greek and international maritime community. The meetings brought together members and guest...

Maritime technology pioneer Orca AI has launched Co-Captain, a groundbreaking new function in its operational platform. For the first time, vessels can share data with each other, in real time, to optimise navigation. This new capability allows them to be better prepared for real-time events and emerging risks, anticipate hazards early and navigate with higher confidence. Fast expanding fleet By connecting a growing network of 1,000 Orca AI-installed vessels, with hundreds more set to join, C...

MarTrust, part of Marcura, and the crew payments solution supporting more than 150,000 seafarers worldwide, has partnered with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the international not-for-profit maritime organisation providing 24/7 helplines and welfare resources for seafarers and their families. The partnership is designed to improve awareness and access to mental health and financial wellbeing support across the maritime sector. Strengthening crew welf...

BAR Technologies, a pioneer in wind propulsion and maritime efficiency, has been awarded the 2025 GREEN4SEA-Europort Energy Transition Award in recognition of its commercially proven WindWings technology. The award was presented during the Europort 2025 Exhibition, celebrating organisations driving significant change in the maritime energy transition. BAR Technologies was selected from a shortlist of respected maritime technology providers, including Accelleron, bound4blue, Brunvoll, NatPower M...

ABS and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the international standardisation of smart ship and shipyard technologies related to shipbuilding and ship maintenance, repair and overhaul. Through a series of joint workshops and seminars, the organisations will exchange information to strengthen international standardisation capabilities and streamline certification procedures for Korean equipment manufacturers. The MOU also a...

Classification society - DNV announced it has launched a new Cruise Centre based in DNV’s London offices. The new London Cruise Centre will strengthen DNV’s support for cruise owners, operators, ports and yards throughout Europe and beyond – providing local, time-zone aligned support, alongside DNV’s global technical capabilities and competencies for the entire cruise value chain. Rapid adoption of alternative fuels Cruise line operators are growing their footprint in...

Accelleron has signed an agreement with Hyundai Marine Solution (HMS), the aftermarket and digital division of shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Group, to enter a strategic cooperation on digital solutions. Two Accelleron solutions will cover engine and turbocharger monitoring and optimisation.  Under the partnership, the companies will seek closer integration and further efficiencies across digital tools. These include HD Hyundai Marine Solution's ship management system, Integrated Smart Ship...

HMM has completed three pilots implementing DCSA standards. Working with Genesis, Samsung SDS, and HelloContainer, HMM explored how the Booking and Bill of Lading standards enhance accuracy, visibility and efficiency in digital information sharing. Each pilot tested DCSA standards in live environments, supported by DCSA through onboarding, technical facilitation and partner alignment. It is the first time the carrier has worked simultaneously with several ecosystem partners to validate standard...

ABB has secured a contract with Helsinki Shipyard to supply a complete electric power and propulsion solution for the Polar Max icebreaker, which is expected to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard by 2030. Uniquely, Polar Max will be constructed through an innovative industrial collaboration between Canadian-controlled facilities in Helsinki, Finland and Lévis, Canada. The 22,800-tonne, 138.5-metre vessel is the first shipbuilding project at Helsinki Shipyard under the ownership of...

Raymarine – a global pioneer in marine electronics, announces the availability of its latest Pathfinder Radar Systems, including the IMO Type Approved CAT-1 Radar and the new Pathfinder Black Box Radar System. These advanced solid-state radar solutions meet the diverse needs of international shipping, large workboats, superyacht, and inland commercial vessels. Raymarine’s radar platform Built on Raymarine’s award-winning radar platform, Pathfinder delivers exceptional resolu...

Cummins Inc., a global pioneer in power technology has announced that it will be presenting a range of engines at EUROPORT 2025. On display at Stand 1305, Cummins will be showcasing engines for Seagoing and Inland Waterways (IWW) applications, including the X15 Stage V, the B4.5 Genset Stage V and the QSK38 Stage V. Cummins will also be holding a presentation update on its GSK38 Stage V engine on-stand on 4th November at 3pm.  The X15 Stage V combines engine reliability with modern after...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, is installing NexusWave on board selected Northern Marine Management Ltd (NMM) vessels operated by Stena Bulk and Proman Stena Bulk. This is part of their ongoing strategy to continually improve crew welfare through enhanced communications. Building on existing onboard connectivity provisions, NMM recognises the growing importance of high-speed internet access in attracting and retaining talent and supporting operational performance. The implementation of Ne...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed a nine-year Lifecycle Agreement with Japanese domestic ferry operator Hankyu Ferry. The agreement covers the operator’s two latest vessels, the ‘Yamato’ and the ‘Settsu’, and is designed to ensure their uninterrupted service reliability. The ships’ performance is of particular importance, since Japan’s ferry industry is one of the most advanced and efficient in the world, and operators are required t...

Unseenlabs, the French specialist in space-based radio frequency (RF) detection, announces the upcoming launch of its new satellites, BRO-17 and BRO-20. The mission, titled “LEVEL TWENTY,” is scheduled for liftoff in partnership with Exolaunch, a satellite integration provider, in November from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-15 rideshare mission. Expansion of BRO satellite constellation With the launch of BRO-17 and BRO-20, Unseenlabs is...

British autonomous vessel pioneer, ZeroUSV, has completed its third Oceanus12 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), marking a key milestone in expanding its growing autonomous fleet, available for outright purchase or charter. The new vessel, features striking geometric livery inspired by the dazzle camouflage used by the Royal Navy in the early 20th century. Designed not for concealment but to distort visual range finding and course estimation, the historic pattern has been reimagined to celebrate th...

NorthStandard has appointed Jack Marriott Smalley as its new Head of Underwriting for Asia Pacific, with effect from 3 November, 2025. Mr Marriott Smalley brings over 14 years of underwriting experience at NorthStandard to the role, including 11 years in Singapore, most recently serving as Head of Southeast Asia Pacific. His engagement with members, brokers, and partners has been pivotal in strengthening the Club’s presence across the region. Key leadership role In a key leadership role...

ABS and Siemens Digital Industries Software (DISW) have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the digital transformation of maritime classification processes across ship design and construction. The collaboration will also advance product lifecycle management (PLM) technology to enhance efficiency, data integrity and regulatory compliance throughout the vessel life cycle. Digital twin and simulation capabilities The MOU establishes a framework for both organisations to collaborat...

The ports of Duisburg and Rotterdam are pressing ahead in their close cooperation: A new letter of intent (LoI) between the ports was signed in the presence of Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. With this, the two major European logistics hubs reinforce their goal of jointly developing sustainable transport corridors via waterways as well as future-oriented initiatives for the energy transition – for the benefit of industry and the supply chain b...

The Port Authority of Valencia (APV) has renewed its Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), the most widely recognised environmental standard in the European port sector. Valenciaport was the first European port to obtain this certification in 2003, and this year it has been renewed for the eighth consecutive time. This distinction highlights the port’s environmental management and the joint efforts of the entire port commu...

Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second largest port operator, has announced a fresh £10m investment into its Great Yarmouth site, which is being repositioned as the Port of East Anglia. The newly announced £10m brings this year’s total investment to £70m across the site and will be used to redevelop the port’s Northern Terminal, helping to accommodate the next generation of major offshore wind projects across the region.  UK’s energy transition Th...

More than a quarter of maritime parts and service suppliers have been identified as having high or very-high cyber vulnerabilities, according to new data from Achilles Network. Through Procureship’s integration with Achilles, shipping companies can now access Achilles’ verified ESG and cyber indicators directly inside their procurement workflows, giving them immediate visibility of verified supplier credentials. The long-term partnership between Procureship and Achilles, announced i...

Sperry Marine, a pioneer in navigation solutions for seagoing vessels, has completed the first of five VisionMaster integrated bridge system installations on board a new generation of ships under delivery to one of the most advanced owner-operators in project cargo shipping. Elise is the first of SAL Heavy Lift’s new 14,600 dwt ‘Orca Class’ vessels to combine market-pioneering performance on sustainability with the ability to handle ultra-large loads including some of the worl...

The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) has announced that EDGE, one of the world’s pioneering advanced technology groups, will be the Main Sponsor of the ninth edition of the event, set to take place from 19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Held over four days, DIMDEX 2026 takes place under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar...