Maritime news . Week 33
DARPA Christens First U.S. Navy Ship Built To Sail Without A Crew
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has officially christened its first purpose-built, fully autonomous surface vessel, the USX-1 Defiant, in a ceremony held on August 11 at Everett Ship Repair in Everett, Washington.
The 180-foot-long vessel is part of DARPA’s No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program and is designed to operate entirely without a crew on board.
UK’s First Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessel Certified Under Workboat Code 3
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued the UK’s first certification for a remotely operated and unmanned vessel (ROUV) under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Workboat Code Edition 3 (WBC3) Annex 2, with hydrogen-powered PIONEER from ACUA Ocean becoming the first vessel to achieve compliance.
Introduced by the MCA in December 2023, the WBC3 requirements set out safety and operational standards for ROUVs operating in UK waters. LR was the first certifying authority to be authorised by the MCA to issue certificates under Annex 2 and now becomes the first to complete a full certification process for an operational ROUV.
Strong gains in seafarer happiness levels, but serious safety concerns emerge
The Q2 2025 Seafarers Happiness Index, published by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals an encouraging uplift in seafarer wellbeing, with the average happiness score rising to 7.54/10, up from 6.98 in Q1. Positive trends were seen across all core areas, from connectivity and food to training and wages, painting a picture of a better-supported workforce at sea. Yet despite the improving numbers, seafarers are also sounding a clear and urgent alarm, as safety standards and basic protections are increasingly under threat.
https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/strong-gains-in-seafarer-happiness-levels-but-serious-safety-concerns-emerge/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=smm&utm_campaign=
HD Hyundai & U.S. Anduril Partner To Develop World-Class Unmanned Surface Ships
HD Hyundai will cooperate with Anduril Industries, an AI defence company in the U.S, for developing unmanned surface ships and ship automation technology.
HD Hyundai is seeking to strengthen its cooperation with the U.S, after it recently secured its first repair, maintenance and overhaul project for a U.S. Navy Ship.
The company announced on August 7, 2025, that it signed an MOU with Anduril for cooperation in ship development.