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Prysmian secures €460m contract for Italy–Tunisia subsea power link

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Prysmian has been awarded the tender launched by Terna S.p.A., the Italian transmission system operator, and STEG, the Tunisian electricity grid operator, for the construction of the submarine power interconnection between Italy and Tunisia under the Elmed Project. 

The contract, which initially provides for a preliminary activation phase, is subject to certain conditions. Once these are met, the contract could reach a value of around €460 million.

The power line will run between the Partanna electrical substation in Sicily and the Mlaabi substation on the Tunisian Cap Bon peninsula, reaching a maximum water depth of around 800 meters along the Strait of Sicily. 

Raul Gil, EVP Transmission BU, Prysmian, said:

“This is a major project for Italy, Tunisia, Europe and Africa, and being chosen is testament to our experience in handling big challenges and finding smart solutions. The interconnector will benefit both countries and support the global shift toward cleaner energy.” 

Prysmian has already secured several submarine connection projects with Terna, such as the Tyrrhenian Link – which set the world record by installing a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable at an unprecedented depth of 2,150 meters during sea trails, the deepest ever for a power cable, as well as the Adriatic Link, the submarine cable connection between Marche and Abruzzo, and the SA.CO.I.3 HVDC project that will connect Sardinia, Corsica, and Italy.

Unified command completes salvage operations for Pier G container incident

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Early counts for the number of containers overboard increased from the original estimate as some units were crushed, submerged, or hidden from view in the nearby boat basin.

At approximately 3:28 p.m., the final container was lifted from the water, marking the end of salvage operations for the incident.

“Every decision during the Pier G Container Incident was centered on safety — whether it was divers working to recover containers in the basin or around the hull, evaluating vessel transits through the safety zone, or crews conducting container operations day and night,” said Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy, Coast Guard incident commander. “By bringing in experts from across the country and working closely with the Port of Long Beach and our partners, we completed a complex salvage operation and restored safe operations within a few weeks.”

Recent response actions include:

  • Deploying side-scan sonar and remotely operated vehicles to locate submerged containers.
  • Using dive teams to inspect the bottom of the cargo vessel Mississippi and assist in recovering containers around the vessel.
  • Repositioning the vessel was a tug, pilot vessels and line handlers to access containers trapped beneath the bottom of the vessel.
  • Reducing a 500-yard safety zone to a 100-yard safety zone as operations moved forward, and maintaining hourly Safety Marine Information Broadcasts to keep mariners informed.

All vessel traffic restrictions were lifted following the completion of the dive operations on Sept. 26, 2025, and vessel transits near Pier G no longer require Captain of the Port approval. A total of 142 vessel transits were authorized during the salvage operations phase of the response, ensuring continued operations in the busy Port complex.

The Pollution Response, Salvage, and Marine Transportation System Recovery groups have since been demobilized. Pier G terminal operations have been fully restored, and port traffic is now continuing without restrictions.

“This was an extremely rare event that required a complex and unique salvage operation,” said Michael Goldschmidt, Port of Long Beach incident commander for the Pier G Container Incident response. “We are grateful to the Coast Guard, vessel managers, salvage teams and the highly skilled ILWU workers for expediting a safe and speedy return to normal operations.”

The U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board continue to lead the investigation into the cause of the incident.

Exail achieves world first with 1,100-nautical-mile autonomous USV transit across Gibraltar Strait

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Exail has achieved a major milestone in maritime autonomy with its DriX O-16 transoceanic uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). 

The 16-meter platform has just completed an unprecedented 1,100-nautical-mile (2,000 km) transit from La Ciotat – France, to Troia – Portugal, to join NATO’s REPMUS 2025 exercise.

Sailing past the Balearic Islands and through the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest maritime passages, the DriX O-16 completed the voyage in six days without port calls. Operated in supervised autonomy from Exail’s Remote Operation Center (ROC) in La Ciotat, the mission demonstrated endurance, situational awareness, and reliable decision-making in dense traffic.

This long-range deployment confirms the robustness, safety, and operational readiness of Exail’s surface drone technology. More than a symbolic crossing, it provides concrete proof that large USVs can be remotely supervised across open waters and constrained sea lanes, arriving fully mission-capable in theater without heavy logistical support. During the transit, the DriX O-16 also conducted seabed mapping operations with a Kongsberg EM304 multibeam echosounder, further demonstrating its capacity to deliver valuable data while underway.

“With this unprecedented long-range transit, Exail’s DriX O-16 shows that large USVs are now an operational reality,” said Sébastien Grall, Head of Maritime Autonomy Solutions at Exail. “As the first uncrewed platform to successfully execute such a mission, it sets a new benchmark in surface autonomy—safe, reliable, and mission-ready.”

BOTAŞ and Woodside sign landmark long-term LNG HOA

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Türkiye’s Boru Hatları ile Petrol Taşıma A.Ş. (BOTAŞ) and Woodside have signed an LNG Heads of Agreement under which Woodside will supply BOTAŞ a total of approximately 5.8 billion cubic meters natural gas equivalent of LNG for up to nine years starting from 2030, primarily from the Louisiana LNG project.

The agreement was exchanged between Abdulvahit Fidan, BOTAŞ Chairman and General Manager, and Daniel Kalms, Woodside’s Chief Operating Officer International, in a ceremony witnessed by Alparslan Bayraktar, the Republic of Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, during his visit to the US for the 80th Session of United Nations General Assembly.

Speaking in the ceremony, Minister Bayraktar stated: “We are observing the signing of an agreement between a Turkish company and Woodside for the supply of LNG, primarily from Louisiana LNG in the United States, which establishes a connection across continents. We believe this will be the beginning of a successful relationship between BOTAŞ and Woodside. The companies have already expressed their intention to expand the relationship beyond a proposed LNG sales agreement and build a strategic cooperation in the wider region, and we fully support this vision.”

Daniel Kalms welcomed the HOA. 

“This is a landmark Heads of Agreement between Woodside and BOTAS as it is the inaugural long-term LNG supply arrangement between our companies. More importantly, it stands as a testament to BOTAS’s confidence in the Louisiana LNG project, the US LNG sector and Woodside’s reputation for reliability and operational excellence. This agreement also strengthens the Turkish-US relationship and paves the way for building a larger strategic relationship with BOTAS that supports energy security and economic growth for Türkiye and the United States. Woodside appreciates the strong support from the Turkish and United States governments to help advance this agreement,” he said.

The supply arrangement is subject to the parties entering a binding sales and purchase agreement. 

Van Oord, FRDP to dredge Fraser River navigation channel

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Van Oord and Fraser River Pile and Dredge (FRPD) announce that their newly formed partnership, RiverFlow Dredging (RiverFlow), has entered into a long-term agreement with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to provide maintenance dredging services for the Fraser River navigation channel. 

The Fraser River is a critical transport artery for local and national supply chains in Canada. RiverFlow’s scope of work encompasses annual maintenance dredging of the Fraser River South Arm deep-sea channel, including the berths and approaches to the DP World Fraser Surrey marine terminal. Approximately 3.0 to 4.5 million cubic metres of sediment will be dredged annually to keep the river navigable for deep-sea vessels.

August Runge, Director Dredging & Infra, Van Oord, said: 

‘This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening Van Oord’s presence in Canada. Together with FRPD, we are combining over a century of dredging expertise to ensure safe and efficient access to one of Canada’s most vital waterways.’

RiverFlow is committed to an inclusive and environmentally responsible dredging programme that respects and considers all of the communities that depend on the health of the Fraser River and its surroundings, including indigenous groups, recreational users, and residents. The works will also be carried out in an environmentally conscious manner, incorporating best management practices for dredging operations. For example, the equipment used for dredging will be powered by biofuels to help reduce carbon emission intensity, and dredging activities will adhere strictly to marine mammal protection zones and non-dredging windows to safeguard the environment. 

Sean Baxter, Director, Marine Operations and Harbour Master, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority: 

‘Ensuring cargo moves safely and efficiently to and from Port of Vancouver terminals is essential for Canadian goods and commodities to reach international markets, and for Canada to access critical imports. With over $100 billion worth of international trade flowing through the Fraser River annually, maintenance dredging is integral to safe marine operations along this vital trade corridor for the port, British Columbia, and Canada. The port authority is pleased to partner with RiverFlow for the delivery of annual maintenance dredging activities on the Fraser River, beginning in 2026. Our long-standing relationship with FRPD – now forming the joint venture RiverFlow – will ensure this work continues to be carried out safely, efficiently, and with respect for the environment, and local First Nations and communities, over the coming years.’  

Sarah Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer, FRPD: 

‘Working in partnership with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and with Van Oord through RiverFlow, FRPD is thrilled to continue its role in ensuring the Fraser River is well-maintained to enable our supply chain and in support of all river users. Combining our local knowledge and dredging expertise with Van Oord’s international dredging expertise will ensure that the river is maintained to the high standard required for the efficient flow of cargo.’ 

Ukrainian naval drones attack oil export infrastructure in Russia’s Tuapse

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Ukrainian naval drones attacked Russian oil export infrastructure in the Black Sea port of Tuapse for the first time.

According to the Bloomberg, Russian ports suspended oil shipments after receiving a warning about a drone attack.

CyberBoroshno’s OSINT analysts reviewed video footage of the strike on Tuapse.

They concluded that one of the oil-loading piers in the port was hit. The video shows the moment of impact as the drone exploded on contact with the structure.

Earlier today, strike drones also targeted an oil refinery in the city of Salavat, about 1,400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

The refinery, part of Gazprom, is the largest oil-processing plant in southern Bashkortostan.

Sources: militarnyi

US Coast Guard awards contract to build 66 new cutter boats

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The Coast Guard on Aug. 29 awarded a fixed price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to North River Boats of Roseburg, Oregon to procure up to 66 cutter boats to support critical aids to navigation (ATON) and other missions that maintain the safety and security of America’s waterways. 

The total potential value of the contract, which was awarded as a total small business set aside, is approximately $11.8 million.  

The boats, designated as cutter boat – aids to navigation – small or CB-ATON-S, will be deployed with the Coast Guard’s future waterways commerce cutters (WCCs). They will also be used by the Service’s shore-based aids to navigation teams (ANTs) to access buoys, lighthouses, maritime navigational aids and smaller waterways and shorelines out of reach for larger vessels. The capability provided by these boats will allow the Coast Guard to facilitate commerce vital to the economic security and strategic mobility of the nation’s Marine Transportation System, which supports more than $5.4 trillion in economic activity every year. 

The aluminum monohull boats will be 21 feet in length with two outboard engines that can deliver speeds up to 25 knots. Designed specifically for ATON work, the boats will be able to hoist up to 3,000 pounds and feature 50 square feet of open deck space.  

The CB-ATON-S will be the standard cutter boat used across all three WCC variants: river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLICs) and inland buoy tenders (WLIs).  

Germany presents drone-torpedo project for submarines

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The developers shared the project’s details on their social media channels. The Ranger reconnaissance drone and Raider attack drone have 4.5-meter-long hulls and are fully compatible with standard submarine torpedo tubes, including 533-mm launchers used by NATO countries.

The underwater-launched drones use electric propulsion, allowing them to operate with low acoustic visibility.

Ranger is a reusable reconnaissance drone equipped with real-time surveillance systems. Its design allows submarines to deploy and rotate the drone without detection.

In the illustration, the deployed reconnaissance drone has an extended keel with sensors and a mast with an optical module for semi-submerged observation.

Raider, by contrast, is intended for strike missions at significant distances from the submarine, keeping the launch platform beyond the reach of enemy detection or counterattack.

Specific performance details for the drones were not disclosed, likely due to the early stage of development. Their general capabilities can be compared to those of electric torpedoes of similar size, such as Leonardo’s Black Shark or the German DM2A4.

With an additional 2 meters in length, these torpedoes can cover roughly 50 kilometers and reach maximum speeds of up to 50 knots (93 km/h), with warheads weighing between 200 and 350 kilograms.

These torpedoes can be guided from the submarine after launch via a fiber-optic cable, with the option to switch to autonomous navigation using sonar and other active or passive sensors.

The primary advantage of the new unmanned platforms is expected to be extended operational range, achieved through coordination between the strike drone and an autonomous reconnaissance drone that provides target detection and designation

Sources: militarnyi

Third Incat Crowther-designed dual-fuel fast Ro-Pax ferry launched

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Mercedes Pinto, the third new 123-metre dual-fuel Ro-Pax fast ferry Incat Crowther has designed for Spanish operator Baleària, has been successfully launched by shipbuilder Astilleros Armon Gijon S.A in  Spain. Work on the vessel’s internal fit-out will now continue before sea trials in early 2026.

The new vessel comes after the success of its twin vessels Eleanor Roosevelt and Margarita Salas, also built by Astilleros Armon Gijon S.A. Margarita Salas has been in operation since 2024, successfully servicing Baleària’s busy route between Barcelona and the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Menorca, while Eleanor Roosevelt has been in service since 2021, operating between Denia on the Spanish mainland and the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca.

Capable of transporting 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles, Mercedes Pinto features an iterative design based on the successful, proven and customised platforms of Eleanor Roosevelt and Margarita Salas. Like Margarita Salas, the second vessel in the fleet, Mercedes Pintofeatures a range of design improvements on the original platform, including an additional passenger deck with a spacious lounge area in the bow and an expanded aft terrace with an outdoor bar service.

In addition, Mercedes Pinto features several design customisations to enhance the customer experience, including a redesigned atrium between the main and upper passenger decks, a larger aft terrace, improved seating in the VIP lounge and an elongated crew area behind the vessel’s wheelhouse. The vessel also features two decks of lounge seating, various cafeterias both inside and on the terrace, an exclusive children’s area, and digital enhancements including free internet services, an onboard digital entertainment platform and a pet surveillance system.

Like other vessels in the Ro-Pax ferry fleet, Mercedes Pinto has been designed with operational sustainability and efficiency in mind and is powered by dual-fuel natural gas engines. Mercedes Pinto is future-proofed for a low and zero-emissions future with the capability to operate on 100% biomethane or green hydrogen blends of up to 25%. The vessel also features energy efficiency systems, smart sensors and integrated emissions monitoring equipment, and enhanced real-time navigation systems, reinforcing Baleària’s commitment to sustainability and fleet digitalisation.

The new vessel is named after Spanish writer, journalist, and human rights activist Mercedes Pinto, and is expected to join its twin vessels, in service in 2026.

Baleària President Adolfo Utor said: “The addition of Mercedes Pinto to our fleet of state-of-the-art Ro-Pax fast ferries highlights Baleària’s commitment to pioneering innovation, advancing sustainability and setting new standards in customer experience. The successful launch of Mercedes Pinto is a major milestone for Baleària, and we’re proud to welcome yet another Spanish-built Ro-Pax fast ferry to our fleet .”

Incat Crowther’s Technical Manager Dan Mace said: “Mercedes Pinto is the fifth large Ro-Pax fast ferry Incat Crowther has designed for Baleària in the last six years and represents a continuation of our team’s strong commitment to support Baleària and Astilleros Armon. With Eleanor Roosevelt and Margarita Salas already in operation, and two new 87-metre 100% electric, zero-emission Ro-Pax fast ferries also set to be built in Spain, the launch of Mercedes Pinto demonstrates our ability to deliver at scale. Working with Armon, we are providing the capability to design and construct multiple large fast ferries simultaneously in Europe. We’re now looking forward to seeing Mercedes Pintoperform during sea trials and begin operation.”

Van Oord and Ecowende kick off with nature-enhancing scour protection

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Offshore operations at Ecowende’s Hollandse Kust West wind farm have officially commenced with the start of eco-friendly scour protection works. This marks a significant milestone for the wind farm, which is set to be the most ecological of its kind. 

Scour protection is generally installed around the base of a monopile to prevent erosion caused by strong currents and waves. Stabilising the seabed in this way ensures the structural integrity of the turbine’s foundation. In the Hollandse Kust West project, scour protection is being taken to a new, nature-inclusive level of design. 

In close collaboration with Ecowende, Van Oord has developed four innovative scour protection designs, each progressively more complex. These designs use stones of varying sizes, including a grading of 60–300 kg and with some stones up to 450 kg, to create larger openings and crevices between the rocks. These gaps provide shelter for fish and other marine species, while specially designed bays along the scour protection extend the length of habitat available. The combination of variations in stone size and crevices, together with bay structures, enhances lee zones and creates more variety in open spaces; the rock–sand interface stimulates a richer and more diverse marine ecosystem, supporting species such as the threatened Atlantic cod.

Van Oord’s and Ecowende’s approach transforms scour protection from a protective measure into an active contributor to marine biodiversity. Once installed, the different designs will be carefully monitored to evaluate their ecological performance and long-term impact.

A milestone for Van Oord is the installation of the 60–300 kg grading, including rocks weighing up to 450 kg, with the Bravenes. This sets a new benchmark for large-scale, biodiversity-focused scour protection works in offshore wind. 

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