China’s new jack-up barges may transform a Taiwan invasion scenario by enabling rapid over-the-shore military logistics.

Venice is a unique city built on a network of canals rather than roads. Everyday life — from commuting to deliveries and even waste collection — relies on waterborne transportation. Traditional garbage trucks simply cannot operate in such an environment, and city services instead use specialized watercraft to keep canals clean and maintain public hygiene.

This article explains how waste collection functions in a city on water, with a particular focus on the types of vessels used, how they operate, and why they are essential to Venice's urban infrastructure.

In recent years, Chinese polar icebreakers have attracted growing international attention. Officially described as platforms for scientific research and logistics, these vessels are increasingly viewed by analysts as part of a broader strategic approach to the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

This article examines China’s key polar icebreakers — Xue Long 2, Ji Di, and Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di — focusing on their technical capabilities, scientific missions, and the ongoing debate over their potential dual-use role.

Maritime transport plays a crucial role in the global fertiliser supply chain. To handle these sensitive cargoes, the shipping industry relies on fertiliser carrier ships, which are specifically designed to meet the physical and chemical requirements of mineral fertilisers.

This article explains what fertiliser carriers are, how they differ from standard bulk carriers, and where they are commonly used.

The Great Lakes, located on the border between the United States and Canada, are rightfully considered one of the most mysterious and inexplicable places on the planet. Seemingly calm, almost sea-like in scale, they conceal beneath their surface a power capable of instilling primal fear even in modern humans. Violent storms suddenly arise here, gigantic waves appear and disappear, and more than six thousand sunken ships lie buried on the seabed.

A ship captain I know, by the way, whom I interviewed, told me there's a very rare type of vessel in the world that few people know about. I promised to write about it.

Not long ago, Arctic and Antarctic cruises were associated with harsh conditions, limited comfort, and adventures reserved for a small circle of enthusiasts. Today, the picture has changed dramatically. Modern expedition cruising has become sustainable, technologically advanced, and genuinely comfortable. Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten was among the first to demonstrate what 21st-century expedition tourism can look like.

Over the past 10-15 years, expedition cruising has evolved from a niche format for enthusiasts into one of the most dynamically growing segments of the global cruise industry. Modern travelers no longer seek luxury alone—they want access to remote regions, environmental responsibility, safety, and genuine contact with nature.

The SEA CAT short-range anti-aircraft missile system (AAMS) is designed to combat low-flying subsonic air attack vehicles at ranges of up to 6 km and altitudes of up to 3 km.

The Indian Navy plans to start building up to five surface ships and submarines in 2026 amid geopolitical instability in the Indo-Pacific region.

In global maritime logistics, there are ships that are rarely mentioned in the news, but without which the largest industrial projects on the planet would be impossible. These are heavy-lift ships — floating giants capable of transporting items that cannot be dismantled, lifted by a conventional crane, or delivered by other means.

Not long ago, US President Donald Trump announced the creation of a ‘golden fleet’ that would surpass all others in terms of power. However, global trends in shipbuilding show another side of development that is not related to traditional types of ships.

During World War II, the Anglo-American allies made extensive use of escort aircraft carriers converted from transport ships. The British Navy command drew on this experience when, in the spring of 1982, it needed to urgently deliver transport and assault helicopters, vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and large consignments of weapons and military equipment to the Falkland Islands.

For more than a century, the oceans have echoed with the steady thunder of diesel engines—vast mechanical hearts pushing metal leviathans across the world’s trade lanes. The age of sail was long considered a romantic relic, beautiful but obsolete, an artifact preserved in museums and postcards. Yet beneath the growing weight of climate commitments and rising fuel costs, the maritime world has begun to rediscover a truth it once knew intimately: «The wind never left. We simply stopped listening».

When we talk about the United States of America, the first thing that comes to mind is a superpower, a giant economy, and a powerful navy. But ask yourself a simple question: how is the US doing in terms of its merchant fleet? — and the picture suddenly becomes much less impressive.

When people speak about the world’s oldest sports, archery enthusiasts and wrestling fans often jump into the debate. Indeed, the bow has accompanied humanity for thousands of years — first in hunting, and later in peaceful competitions. But the Chinese confidently counter: “Archery? The real ancient sport was born here — and it is called dragon boat racing.”

Discover the incredible 50-year journey of a luxury ocean liner turned floating hospital. This article explores the technical evolution, humanitarian mission, and the legacy of the MV Anastasis — a vessel that redefined the purpose of maritime engineering.

Timber carriers are specialized cargo vessels designed to transport forest products such as logs, wood chips, and pulp. They typically feature high cargo capacity and dedicated handling equipment for loading and unloading timber materials.

These ships play a vital role in the forestry industry, ensuring efficient transportation of wood from logging sites to processing facilities or export terminals. Many timber carriers are equipped with cranes or specialized cargo-handling systems to manage and secure large volumes of lumber.

Pop the hood of a carand the engine sits there, neat and accessible, weighing just a few hundredkilos. Now imagine a monster more than 160 tons in weight — a machine somassive its parts couldn’t possibly squeeze through the largest hatch of avessel. And yet, there it is, installed deep inside the steel belly of a ship,ready to drive it across oceans. How does such a miracle of engineering happen?

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has recently taken a significant step in enhancing its maritime warfare capabilities by integrating an electromagnetic railgun onto its experimental platform, JS Asuka (ASE-6102). This advancement reflects a notable achievement in Japan’s pursuit of next-generation defense systems.