Work Boat World

North River Boats of Oregon recently handed over a new aluminium research vessel to the University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UH Hilo). The 38-foot (12-metre) Kaiola ("Ocean Life") arrived from Oregon in February 2026 and is now undergoing final outfitting and inspection before commencing operational sailings. John Burns, Associate Professor and Chair of the Marine Science Department at UH Hilo, said his team chose the vessel for its stability and flexibility.

The United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released its 2026 national assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources on March 9, detailing estimates for recovery on the US Outer Continental Shelf. This report identifies potential oil and natural gas located outside of known fields to help identify opportunities for additional exploration.

The US Coast Guard authenticated the keels of the future coast guard cutters Allen Thiele, Fred Permenter and Samuel Wilson in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, on Friday, March 6. In a special proceeding, the keels for three cutters were authenticated simultaneously at the Bayou La Batre facilities of Birdon America.

Syndicat des Ports de Cornouaille (SPC), the collaboration responsible for developing, maintaining and managing the fishing and recreational ports in the Finistère department of northwestern France, has taken delivery of a new centre console aluminium workboat built by local shipyard Laïta Sailing.

Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) has commenced development of a new series of icebreaker that will be operated primarily in port waters in the Russian Arctic. The icebreakers will be designed to be capable of ensuring safe year-round navigation in ports and approach channels lying along the Northern Sea Route (NSR), the 5,600-kilometre Arctic shipping corridor that provides the shortest possible passage between Asia and Europe.

Hamburg-based research organisation the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services (Fraunhofer CML) recently unveiled the newest addition to its fleet of vessels. Vektor was originally built as a police patrol boat but has been converted into a maritime research platform. The conversion was undertaken by Fraunhofer CML personnel over the course of the previous year. The vessel has a length of 13 metres, a beam of four metres, and space for up to 12 people.

Singapore shipbuilder Marinteknik has launched a new electric light cargo vessel ordered by local shipowner Yinson GreenTech (YGT). Hydromover 002 is a sister vessel of Hydromover 001, which Marinteknik handed over to YGT in 2025. Upon completion, the vessel will have an LOA of 23.4 metres, a beam of 7.6 metres, and a draught of only 1.07 metres.

A North Atlantic Right WhaleRhode Island Sea Grant The United States Government on Tuesday took the first step toward loosening regulations that protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from vessel strikes. The National Marine Fisheries Service said it is considering replacing seasonal vessel speed restrictions with whale management areas and technology-based measures to avoid vessel strikes. There are about 380 North Atlantic right whales.

This compact, hybrid all-aluminium marina workboat was built by the French-managed, China-based yard ODC Marine for an ambitious Saudi urban development project on the Red Sea. Eejeeya supports demanding marina duties—superyacht servicing, transfers, and utility tasks—with a 1,500-hour annual duty cycle, emphasising reliability, environmental sustainability, and protection in high-value yacht operations.

The navy said the name selection follows the tradition of naming survey ships after explorers, oceanographers, and distinguished marine surveyors. Robert Ballard will be operated by the Military Sealift Command. She will be the eighth and final vessel in the Pathfinder-class. Construction of the T-AGS is underway at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.