Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI) has issued a ₹90.40 crore tender for the operation and management of five trailing suction hopper dredgers over three years, with potential for a two-year extension. This initiative seeks to enhance efficiency amid challenges in recruiting skilled marine personnel. Bidders must comply with specific licensing requirements.
New research from Scottish Heriot-Watt University reveals that over half of vessels in Scotland’s coastal waters are not visible to tracking systems, hindering marine resource management. Only 43 percent of vessels near the coast broadcast AIS signals, impacting safety and marine life. The study highlights the need for improved monitoring to inform regulations and protect ecosystems.
The Gujarat ATS and Coast Guard collaborated to seize 300 kg of drugs worth ₹1,800 crore near the Maritime Boundary Line. Suspected to be methamphetamine, the contraband was dumped into the sea by smugglers who fled upon seeing the Coast Guard ship. The drugs have been handed over to the ATS for further investigation.
The European Union has extended Operation Aspides, its maritime security initiative in the Red Sea, until February 28, 2026, with over 17 million euros allocated. Led by counter-admiral Vasiseios Gyparis, the operation aims to ensure safe navigation amidst regional tensions, focusing on intelligence related to arms trafficking and shadow fleets.
Since its 2015 launch, the all-electric ferry MF Ampere has journeyed 17 times around the equator on battery power, showcasing electric technology’s potential. Reducing CO2 emissions by 5,700 tons annually and cutting operational costs by up to 90%, it has inspired global initiatives for sustainable maritime transport and electrification.
