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Plan Ahead: IWBS 2026 Exhibitor Space Now Available. Booth availability is limited, and early placement matters. <<<

International WorkBoat Show co-located with Underwater Intervention

This year’s record-breaking WorkBoat Show was just the beginning—stay connected to learn what’s next in 2025.

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Consolidation in offshore drilling reflects industry challenges

G. Allen Brooks

February 10, 2026

On Monday, Transocean Ltd announced the acquisition of Valaris Ltd. for $5.8 billion. The deal marks a new chapter in the offshore drilling industry.

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The combined company is expected to operate a fleet of 73 offshore rigs, including 33 ultra-deepwater drillships, nine semisubmersibles, and 31 jackups. Shutterstock photo.

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Vigor Marine Group operates facilities in Seattle, Vanouver, Wash.; Norfolk, Va.; San Diego; and Portland, Ore. (pictured). Eric Haun photo.

French private equity firm to acquire Vigor Marine Group

WorkBoat Staff

February 7, 2026

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French private equity firm Antin Infrastructure Partners, Paris, has agreed to acquire shipbuilding and repair company Vigor Marine Group, Portland, Ore., from an affiliate of Lone Star Funds, Dallas.

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Valaris operates a rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, semisubmersibles, and shallow-water jackups. Valaris photo.

Transocean to acquire rival offshore driller Valaris in $5.8 billion deal

WorkBoat Staff

February 9, 2026

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Transocean Ltd. on Monday announced it has agreed to acquire Valaris Ltd. in an all-stock transaction valued at about $5.8 billion, combining two of the largest offshore drilling contractors into a single company with an enterprise value of roughly $17 billion.

News

HII’s second NXG 600E acquisition continues its investment in large-format metal additive manufacturing for large, complex components and replacement of legacy castings for critical naval applications. Nikon SLS photo.

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HII shipbuilders place second Nikon NXG 600E order

February 10, 2026

Russ Donnelly, representing the family of the late Ray Donnelly, the vessel namesake, watches welder Trace Taylor complete the keel memorialization plate. ESG photo.

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Army corps, Eastern Shipbuilding lay keel for hopper dredge

February 9, 2026

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Department of Labor issues new guidance on workers’ comp

February 9, 2026

Valaris operates a rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, semisubmersibles, and shallow-water jackups. Valaris photo.

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Transocean to acquire rival offshore driller Valaris in $5.8 billion deal

February 9, 2026

The ATB Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder underway in June 2024. Photo by Carson Last/Marintraffic.com via NTSB report.

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NTSB: lube oil, electrical failures likely in ATB generator fire

February 8, 2026

J.E. McAmis specializes in marine construction projects, including jetty and breakwater construction, dredging, environmental restoration, and dam and spillway work. J.E. McAmis photo.

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Orion acquires J.E. McAmis

February 8, 2026

Vigor Marine Group operates facilities in Seattle, Vanouver, Wash.; Norfolk, Va.; San Diego; and Portland, Ore. (pictured). Eric Haun photo.

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French private equity firm to acquire Vigor Marine Group

February 7, 2026

The Waterways Council Inc. honored Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., with the council's , Inc.’s 23rd Annual Leadership Service Award Feb. 4, senior vice president Andrew Brown of Ingram Barge Company, left, and WCI CEO Tracy Zea. WCI photo.

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Waterways Council presents 2026 awards

February 6, 2026

The M/V John D Nugent pushing pushing against solid ice downstream on the Illinois River near Astoria, Ill. American Commercial Barge Lines photo.

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More cold forecast as ice besets US waters

February 5, 2026

The BBG2 lease offer includes some 15,066 unleased blocks covering about 80.4 million acres in the Gulf, 3 to 231 miles offshore in depths from 9'to more than 11,100'. BOEM graphic

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BOEM issues second big Gulf notice of sale

February 5, 2026

Senesco Marine's arc welder, purchased with a Small Shipyard Grant, can weld two 40'x40' plates together in about 90 minutes. It would take a person three to four days to do the job. Ben Hayden/WorkBoat photo.

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Marad ups Small Shipyard Grant Program to $35 million

February 5, 2026

Revolutionary Permanent Fastener Offers Unmatched Vibration Resistance — Yet Removes Easily with Standard Torque Tools

Sponsored by

Duramax Infrastructure: The Smart Choice for Marine Infrastructure

Sponsored by

White Paper: Gearmatic Partners with Hydra Works to Validate new GM Series Hoist

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Arrowhead Winch

Decades of Innovation: Why CAPAC® Sets the Standard for Hull Protection

Sponsored by

Viewpoints

The combined company is expected to operate a fleet of 73 offshore rigs, including 33 ultra-deepwater drillships, nine semisubmersibles, and 31 jackups. Shutterstock photo.

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Consolidation in offshore drilling reflects industry challenges

February 10, 2026

The JAX LNG bunker barge Clean Jacksonville supplies fuel the TOTE Maritime LNG-powered containership Isla Bella. Jaxport photo.

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Clean energy is here; maritime infrastructure isn’t

February 9, 2026

A communication breakdown can lead to simple frustration or possibly something far worse. Shutterstock photo.

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Breaking down communication breakdowns

February 5, 2026

A deckhand washes off leftover debris from a barge on the Missouri River. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Delanie Stafford.

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Study highlights advantages of waterway employment

February 2, 2026

A crewmember aboard Coast Guard Cutter Munro observes the oil tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, Jan. 6, 2026. Munro’s crew monitored the vessel until it was seized by Coast Guard deployable specialized forces, with support from the Department of Defense. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

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US maritime revival is picking up speed

February 2, 2026

File photo: Components for the Vineyard Wind project are staged at the Port of New Bedford, Mass., in August 2023. Shutterstock photo.

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The offshore wind merry-go-round

January 28, 2026

More Viewpoints

Videos

Russ Donnelly, representing the family of the late Ray Donnelly, the vessel namesake, watches welder Trace Taylor complete the keel memorialization plate. ESG photo.

Army corps, Eastern Shipbuilding lay keel for hopper dredge

The planned Trump-class vessels would be the Navy’s first new battleships since the Iowa-class ships, the last of which was commissioned during World War II. Navy rendering.

President unveils plan for Trump-class battleships

The M/V John D Nugent pushing pushing against solid ice downstream on the Illinois River near Astoria, Ill. American Commercial Barge Lines photo.

More cold forecast as ice besets US waters

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