WorkBoat

29/05/2026

Master Boat Builders has launched Titan, the second of eight harbor tugs being built for Maritime Partners at its Coden, Ala., yard.

Master Boat Builders, Coden, Ala., has launched Titan, the second of eight harbor tugs under construction for New Orleans-based Maritime Partners. The launch follows the recent completion of the first

29/05/2026

Saronic has launched its first Marauder MUSV and begun on-water trials at its Franklin, La., shipyard. The vessel went from design to launch in under a year. Top speed exceeds 25 knots with a 5,400 nm range. Three more hulls are in production. Saronic has invested more than $500 million in the facility.

Saronic, Austin, Texas, announced the launch of its first Marauder medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV), marking the start of on-water trials for the autonomous vessel and a milestone in the company'

29/05/2026

Verret Marine Consulting has acquired SailPlan Technology, a maritime monitoring platform for predictive maintenance and machinery monitoring.

Verret Marine Consulting LLC has acquired SailPlan Technology, a maritime monitoring platform developed for cruise, naval, and commercial vessel applications. Under the acquisition, Verret Marine will

29/05/2026

Stabbert Marine and Industrial is redirecting $11 million in EPA Clean Ports funding to build a custom submersible barge at its Anacortes, Wash., shipyard instead of buying an out-of-state travel lift. The project is expected to create approximately 50 jobs and be completed in about two years.

Stabbert Marine and Industrial, Anacortes, Wash., has revised plans for improvements at its Anacortes shipyard, opting to build a submersible barge locally rather than purchase a travel lift from an o

29/05/2026

Kraken Technology Group and Canadian shipbuilder Davie will manufacture uncrewed surface vessels in Québec, starting with Kraken's K3 Scout. Kraken says it is producing one vessel per day in the U.K. and plans to scale to 1,000 USVs annually. The company also has partnerships with Rheinmetall and Anduril.

UK-based autonomous vessel developer Kraken Technology Group has partnered with Canadian-shipbuilder Davie to manufacture uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) in Québec, beginning with Kraken's K3 S

28/05/2026

Stay informed in your industry — read the June issue of WorkBoat.

WorkBoat's annual Yearbook edition is here, mapping the market across shipyards, inland waterways, passenger vessels, offshore energy, and defense. This month we also explore how pricing volatility is impacting towboat construction, the drivers and trends fueling the Jones Act financial market, and a billionaire-backed plan to build the world's largest shipyard in California.

Also in this issue:
📌 Inland waterways market outlook
📌 Passenger vessel industry trends
📌 Offshore energy and defense sector updates

Read the full issue free: https://www.workboat.com/june-2026

28/05/2026

Matt Woodruff of Kirby Corporation has been elected chairman of the American Waterways Operators. He succeeds Patrick Sutton of ACBL. AWO says Woodruff's leadership comes as the industry mobilizes against the Jones Act waiver.

Members of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), an association representing the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry, have elected Matt Woodruff, vice president of public and government affairs at

28/05/2026

Volatile steel, freight, and tariff costs are limiting new towboat orders, but the need isn't going away. C&C Marine is building on spec. Canal Barge, Blessey Marine, Golding Barge Line, and Florida Marine all have active programs. Steiner Shipyard says specs are flowing, but contracts may wait for tariff clarity.

https://www.workboat.com/volatile-pricing-limits-towboat-construction-but-new-boats-are-still-needed

28/05/2026

Volatile pricing is limiting new towboat construction, but the boats are still needed. C&C Marine is building on spec to meet demand when operators are ready. Canal Barge, Blessey Marine, Golding Barge Line, and Florida Marine Transporters all have active newbuild programs. Steiner Shipyard says specs are coming in but contracts may wait for tariff clarity.

Rising costs are impacting businesses across the board, and it’s no exception in the towboat sector. In general, new towboats are being ordered, but only on an as-needed basis, said Tony Cibilic

28/05/2026

The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation hosted an "Innovation Cafe" on May 21 focused on small modular reactors for maritime applications. The event followed a Marad RFI seeking input on developing SMRs for commercial shipping. Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel and ABS participated.

The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (USCMI), launched about a year ago to support the study, development, and deployment of emerging marine technologies, gathered stakeholders in Washington, D.C.,

27/05/2026

When you need electronics and electrical power to work when you want it to work, there is no substitute for Huck® Grounding Stud.

Consistent, uninterrupted electrical power is not a luxury but a necessity – whether relying on GPS at sea, electric or hybrid-electric propulsion, or charging stations. The new, revolutionary Huck Grounding Stud was created with this in mind. It creates a 100% reliable bond that is highly resistant to corrosion and vibration loosening.

Huck Grounding Stud is so easy to install, anyone can do it, significantly reducing installed costs and helping address the skilled labor gap experienced across the maritime industry.

Whether you’re adding electronics packages or searching for a better way to deliver electric power to your vessels, look no further than Huck Grounding Stud for reliable bonding.

Read more: https://www.workboat.com/delivering-reliable-electrification-at-sea-huck-grounding-stud