NEW IBERIA, La. — HII plans to expand automated production capabilities for its ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel program through a new assembly facility in Louisiana and a robotics-focused manufacturing initiative aimed at increasing production speed and scalability.
HOUSTON—
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and HD Hyundai Robotics are developing bipedal machines specifically designed for shipyard welding tasks.
Autonomous vehicle technology is being adapted for use in everything from container ships to tankers. Engineers are also equipping other types of commercial vessels, including ferries, tugboats and warships, with state-of-the-art navigation systems that can be safely used in harbors and on lakes, rivers and oceans.
OSAKA, Japan—Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Yanmar Power Technology Co. Ltd., and the Japan Engine Corp. have formed a consortium to pursue joint development of hydrogen fueled marine engines for ocean-going and coastal vessels.
GORINCHEM, Holland—Damen Shipyards Group has launched the world’s first fully electric tugboat with a 70-ton pulling capacity at its facility in Song Cam, Vietnam.
PLYMOUTH, England—This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower, the ship that transported more than 100 brave souls across the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Cod, MA. To celebrate the historic event, an autonomous research vessel will retrace the voyage in the spring.
Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with 3D Systems to develop metal additive manufacturing technologies. The goal of the joint effort is to revolutionize how the next generation of warships is assembled.
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI—Submarine maker Electric Boat plans to double its workforce in Rhode Island to build a new class of submarines under a $95 billion Navy program.
