Illuminating Ocean Tech
The recent proliferation of ocean tech accelerators is a sure sign of a burgeoning Blue Economy, with the emerging influence of technological enablers—in particular AI—and the growing availability of public and private funding driving wider stakeholder engagement. The underlying role of ocean tech accelerators is to promote and facilitate the conditions for innovation and opportunity to collide to bring about scalable solutions that address emerging environmental concerns and help to bridge capacity gaps in the Blue Economy.
Hurricanes, Interest Rates, Geopolitics & Commodity Prices
Oil prices remain in the lower half of the $60 to $70 a barrel range that has become the norm since April. They are buffeted daily by headlines about the prospects for war, recessions, and softening demand due to weakening global economies. The rhetoric of oil traders and the media suggests that oil prices are poised to fall because the forces supporting them are weakening. The primary concern is China’s consumption. After years of being misled by Chinese economic statistics, we are now expected to believe that the government’s data is accurate.
TAKE 5: The ON&T Interview with Saildrone
The name Saildrone has become almost synonymous with USVs in recent years, the silhouette of the company’s distinctive wing/tail/tab system a hallmark of modern-day marine engineering. Saildrone’s roots trace back to the daring achievements of company Founder and CEO Richard Jenkins who, back in March 2009, set a new world record speed for a land-based, wind-powered vehicle—Greenbird—clocking 126.1 mph in California’s Mojave Desert.
North Star’s Daughter Craft Vessels
As the global maritime industry accelerates its transition to net zero, the offshore wind sector is guiding innovation, driving the development of vessels that are cleaner, smarter and more efficient.
Geopolitics Have Outsized Impact on Commodity Markets
Will there or won’t there be a lasting peace agreement stemming from the Alaskan summit between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and US President Donald Trump? From the time the summit date was announced, the crude oil market vacillated between optimism (bad for oil prices) that an agreement would be reached and negativism (good for prices). Even metals markets wobbled as traders speculated that Putin might gain greater access to key minerals in Alaska and the Arctic as part of a peace deal.
TAKE 5: The ON&T Interview with RAD Propulsion
Decarbonization of the Blue Economy may mean different things to various industries and their various approaches to championing sustainable operations, but for many mainstay operators it will involve an increased emphasis on electrification and automation.
Weathering the Storm: Uncrewed Deployments for Rapid Response
For communities up and down the US eastern seaboard and along the Gulf Coast, August means one thing—hurricane season proper. Officially speaking, the Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, but mid-August through mid-October is when most of the heavy-impact storms occur. In fact, according to NOAA, 93% of landfalls on record have occurred during this precarious 12-week period.
Conflicting Narratives Drive Commodity Markets Painting Unclear Picture
Domestic oil prices have established a lower trading range between $60 and $70 per barrel. This is not surprising given that oil prices began weakening last fall. The price weakness reflected expectations of slowing global demand, as China’s economic recovery was weak. At the same time, OPEC+ was eager to boost its income given lower prices, so its members began adding back idled production, which had supported prices during the pandemic and immediately afterwards.
TAKE 5: The ON&T Interview with General Oceans
General Oceans was founded in 2021 and, in the relatively short time since, has established itself as an industry-leading innovator within the ocean technology. Backed by over 30 years of experience and expertise in pioneering underwater technology platforms, the company specializes in the design and manufacture of products that meaningfully enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of ocean professionals in the field.
Fears of Recession & Inflation Remain but Worst Scenario Avoided
President Trump’s Middle East trip focused on the economic prosperity a peaceful region could enjoy. He wants nations in the area to pump more oil and gas, and he is even dangling that future in front of Iranian leaders as he drives for a new nuclear pact. More oil will keep global prices from rising to the $80s a barrel that Saudi Arabian leaders long to see again. However, lower oil prices help relieve the global inflationary pressure when Trump is reordering the world’s trade structure by threatening nations with tariffs. This should produce more growth and, in turn, more oil demand, which would benefit Saudi Arabia, the rest of OPEC+, and the US.
Redefining Deep-Sea Trenching with Clean & Unmatched Power
As subsea exploration ventures further and deeper, the technologies that support it must evolve to meet the rising demand for precision, power, and sustainability. SEAJET E-CFE®, the all-electric controlled flow excavation system developed by OEG, is redefining what’s possible beneath the waves, delivering trenching capability from just 1.5 meters of water to depths beyond 2,500 meters, without a drop of hydraulic oil in sight.
TAKE 5: The ON&T Interview with Doppler Ltd. Partnered with Tadiran Batteries
When deploying deep-sea instrumentation, access to a reliable and robust power source is critical. Doppler Ltd. partners with Tadiran Batteries to design and manufacture custom battery packs made with ultra-long-life bobbin-type lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCl2) batteries designed to support a wide range oceanographic equipment, often in remote and harsh marine environments. This month, we sat down with Lee Gordon to find out more.
