subdron GmbH, an innovative startup specializing in autonomous underwater navigation and data processing for advanced underwater inspections, announced today the successful raise of €1.3M in pre-seed funding. The investment round was co-led by xista science ventures, a renowned venture fund focused on scientific advancements, and Faber, from its Ocean / Climate Tech fund, with participation from esteemed investor Saber GmbH. The influx of capital will enable subdron GmbH to accelerate the development and deployment of its cutting-edge technology, poised to transform the way underwater structures are inspected for biofouling and structural integrity.

Exail, a global innovator in the field of maritime autonomy, has opened a new innovation hub that will engage in all aspects of marine autonomous operations to help meet the challenges of the growing blue economy.

Cellula Robotics Ltd., a renowned pioneer in AUV systems and subsea fuel-cell power, is delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Manning as its new Corporate Development Officer. This strategic move aligns with the company's dynamic expansion in both size and technical expertise over the past 18 months.

USV AS has contracted Astilleros Gondán shipyard to build an unmanned surface vessel (USV), capable of significantly reducing emissions and operating expenses compared to conventional vessels utilised for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) work.

The Government of Curaçao has asked Fugro to map the seabed of the island’s surrounding waters for future development of floating offshore wind farms. The Curaçao Government’s target is to realise 6GW in renewable energy capacity by 2035, which is more than the domestic need for energy, ultimately enabling the production and export of green hydrogen. This development is a hugely important step for Curaçao in its efforts to accelerate the transition to green energy and strengthen its economy. The survey work by Fugro follows on a feasibility assessment by research organisation TNO, which concluded that Curaçao’s territorial waters are some of the best in the world for large scale deployment of floating offshore wind.

Bedrock, the leading vertically integrated seafloor data acquisition and distribution platform, has secured $25.5 million in its Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to date to $33.5M. The funds will be utilized to bring its unique data offering to the offshore wind market this year, and grow the company's proprietary unmanned autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) acquisition system. Bedrock has the potential to accelerate and reduce risks for the development of offshore wind energy projects, a key strategic interest supported by the Biden administration with significant support from the IRA (The Inflation Reduction Act).

To enable deeper dives on underwater missions, Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency, Basarnas, has recently purchased a Hydraulic Atom ROV from UK company Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD).

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation, has awarded $3.5 million in grants to ten organizations and universities in seven countries for the development of new tools and innovations that will improve the sustainability of global fisheries, the program announced today.

TenneT and Prysmian together with N-Sea have signed an initial three years Service Level Agreement for service and maintenance of nearshore and offshore cable systems.

The Norwegian Hydrographic Service (NHS) has awarded Fugro a new hydrographic survey contract for the 2023 MAREANO seabed mapping programme. This is the latest in a series of contracts that Fugro has won for the MAREANO programme, and it demonstrates the company's long-standing commitment to champion sustainable development in the marine environment.

SeeByte, in partnership with Blue Bear, have been awarded a contract by Defence Science and Technology laboratory (Dstl) under the Progeny Maritime Research Framework to research and develop a secure architecture for Mixed Multi-Domain Swarms (MMDS) of Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS).

The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is thrilled to announce the integration of MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II) and its signature program, the MATE ROV Competition, into the society’s lineup of program offerings. By combining efforts, MTS and MATE can enhance their reach and impact in inspiring young minds and preparing them for careers in marine technology.

Advanced Navigation, the world’s most determined innovator in artificial intelligence for robotic and navigation technologies has announced the expansion of its revolutionary Boreas digital fiber-optic gyroscope (DFOG) range, with the new A Series.

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA are launching the Ocean-Based Climate Resilience Accelerators program, a $60 million investment in coastal resilience and American small businesses through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, will foster public-private partnerships to help support small businesses that are developing sustainable technologies geared toward climate resilience to attract capital, mature their technologies and scale their business models for climate impact.

Building on the huge success of last year's launch, Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology USA will return for its second sell-out edition with an all-new exciting agenda. In 2021, the US Navy revealed their Unmanned Campaign Framework, outlining the goal to innovate and adapt new technology to build a more lethal and distributed naval force for the future. Attending Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology USA 2023 will enable you to hear the latest developments of leading US and international UMS programs, learning about the successes and future opportunities. Join key planners and decision makers from across the US and NATO-aligned world at the only event providing holistic coverage of unmanned systems across the full maritime domain, including undersea, surface, and aerial environments.

A team of international scientists have discovered a new deep-sea octopus nursery at a low-temperature hydrothermal vent offshore of Costa Rica. The discovery of the brooding site brings the world’s known octopus nurseries to three. The team also proved that the first known aggregation of deep-sea octopus, the Dorado Outcrop, is an active nursery.

Teledyne Marine, a global leader in underwater technology, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated annual photo and data contest, which invites participants worldwide to capture the breathtaking beauty of the underwater realm through their lenses. Teledyne Marine has a rich history of providing innovative solutions for offshore, academic, and defense applications. The contest is open to Teledyne Marine equipment users, allowing them to showcase their talent and passion for marine and subsea technology.

SEA-KIT International is preparing to deliver on its export deal with American autonomous maritime solutions provider, ThayerMahan. Connecticut-based ThayerMahan ordered a SEA-KIT X-class Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) last year, having seen the 12-metre design proven on numerous commercial operations around the world.