Washington D.C. parents who have kids with disabilities are now able to select transportation preferences for the upcoming school year via an online portal.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education released a statement on June 25 by State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell, encouraging parents and guardians with children who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that lists yellow bus transportation as a service to log on to the new OSSE Parent Portal. This online tool empowers parents to directly select transportation preferences for the upcoming school year.

According to the statement, the OSSE Parent Portal opened on June 9, and parents and guardians are encouraged to sign up by submitting their transportation preferences by July 11.

“By putting parents directly in the driver’s seat, we are not only streamlining the process but also placing decision-making power where it belongs, at the family level,” said Mitchell via the statement.

Once parents log into the portal, they will have the option to choose their preferred language from among six options and select from three transportation options: No Transportation Needed, Parent Stipend Program (available to students who have previously utilized OSSE transportation services, except for students in pre-K through third grade students, for whom the stipend option is automatically available), and OSSE-DOT Transportation.

The process should take less than five minutes. Once parents’ information is completed, transportation details need to be confirmed, including any necessary accommodations such as arrangements for a one-to-one aide, school nurse or booster seat as per the student’s IEP. The new portal reportedly ensures accuracy of transportation needs and allocates buses to students in critical need of transportation services. For more information, parents can visit this link.

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The fourth annual STN EXPO Innovation Choice Awards program returns to STN EXPO 2025 in Reno, Nevada.

The program is open to any individual, organization or authorized agent that exhibits at STN EXPO West and promotes school transportation products. The four categories are Best Hardware, Best Software, Best Safety Technology, and Best Green Bus Technology. Attendees can vote on-site July 13 through July 15. (Editor’s Note: No submissions for Green Bus Technology voting were received at this report.) 

Attendees can scan QR codes at each participating exhibitor booth to cast votes during the STN EXPO Trade Show and Magical Networking Event on July 14 and the Trade Show on July 15. Winners will be announced at a later date.

View the list of exhibitor products below. Exhibitors submitted their own product descriptions that have been edited for space and clarity.

AlphaRoute (Booth 113)
Category: Best Software
Product/Solution: Alphie AI by AlphaRoute
Meet Alphie—the smart, simple and secure AI assistant built to make every routing professional’s life easier. Your district routing team already knows the right questions to ask. But digging through massive datasets to find meaningful answers can be tedious and time-consuming. That process is much faster in AlphaRoute’s intuitive software, but why bother making even a few clicks when Alphie can answer your question immediately? This user-friendly tool lets your team ask plain-language questions like, “Which routes consistently run late?” or, “What route is Johnny currently assigned to?” And it delivers instant results, from summary stats to detailed charts. From metrics for morning meetings to data deep-dives that fix recurring headaches, Alphie AI delivers clarity in seconds. Precise, insightful, and easy to use—just ask Alphie!

AngelTrax (Booth 628)
Category: Best Hardware, Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: Vulcan Series BEV360 Bird’s Eye View 360-Degree Camera System
Developed specifically to keep kids safer around the school bus, the BEV360 Bird’s Eye View 360-Degree Camera System is your school bus fleet’s next step toward safer students and safer streets. Using AI detection technology, the BEV360 identifies students around the school bus in real time and warns the driver when students enter the danger zone in close proximity to the bus. The BEV360 features four 1080P cameras for a panoramic view of the vehicle’s surrounding area, a seven-inch monitor for the driver’s real-time reference, and a system control box for storage and AI technology. The system captures clear video and stitches all views together, forming a 360-degree bird’s eye view displayed on the monitor. The BEV360 has two microSD card slots for recording as a stand-alone unit and is compatible with Vulcan Series recording units for simultaneous recording of additional cameras and for live view and live tracking features when equipped with optional software and an active Internet connection.

Blue Bird (Booth 321)
Category: Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: 4Front
Ensure driver safety and minimize the impact of frontal crashes with IMMI’s 4Front frontal airbag for school buses. The robust size and weight of these vehicles make them susceptible to severe collisions, underscoring the importance of advanced safety measures. IMMI’s 4Front airbag provides essential protection for bus drivers, reducing the risk of injuries in frontal accidents. Elevate your commitment to safety on the road and prioritize driver well-being with this innovative solution, a crucial addition to any school bus aiming for a safer and more secure driving experience.

Bosch (Booth 300)
Category: Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: MHT Front Camera ADAS
School buses carry our most precious cargo to our most valued institutions. Bosch has brought some of its most advanced technology to help significantly reduce our nation’s school buses from collisions with others on the road. Be it children running to get to the bus stop, bicyclists sharing the road on their way to school, or other vehicles making abrupt lane changes, our Bosch Front Camera Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) can actively help to prevent and minimize possible incidents. For increased safety, our Bosch Front Camera ADAS solution can also assist to maintain the school bus in its lane if the bus driver gets distracted, and even warn the bus driver if driving above the posted speed limit. Below are a list of features that can be added to any school bus: Collision mitigation by Brake Lane Keep Assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition.

Confluence Security (Booth 142)
Category: Best Software
Product/Solution: District Security Center Fleet Monitor
Confluence Security is redefining what’s possible in school bus security solutions. We move beyond the outdated model of isolated bus DVRs and introduce a modern, Open-Architecture Enterprise Security Platform purpose-built for K–12 pupil transportation. As school districts adopt unified security ecosystems across campuses, the lack of true integration options for school buses has become a major gap. Confluence Security fills that gap. We educate the pupil transportation market on the advantages of combining best-in-class components from multiple manufacturers into a single, unified platform—one that delivers intelligent, accurate, and immediate data to Security Operators, empowering proactive intervention.
We call this approach: ProAction! Our platform builds on the included fundamental features of security systems such as: Bi-directional live video and audio, access control, license plate recognition, IoT sensor integration, and real-time network management.
These standard features work in concert to enable AI-verified event notifications delivered to the appropriate responders. Whether it’s SROs, school deans, or local 911/LE dispatch, authorized personnel can view live video and audio to interact with students and drivers. Our Federation-as-a-Service (FaaS) model enables secure sharing of information across internal departments and external agencies without the need for direct IT network connections. This secure cloud tool promotes effective collaboration during incidents, allowing for immediate teamwork while maintaining organizational independence.
To further streamline response, our platform offering features Intelligent Automation, guiding operators with real-time decision support and response protocols. Events are logged, categorized and stored using cloud-based digital evidence management systems (DEMS) – fully integrated with law enforcement CAD/RMS systems. All digital evidence is stored in a government-grade, secure cloud environment and organized by case number, forever.
Fulfilling CORA/FOIA requests is now as simple as sending an email with a permission-based link, reducing processing time from days to mere minutes. In an era where AI and advanced analytics are transforming school security, transportation systems are still largely bound by analog, proprietary, and siloed technologies. At Confluence Security, we’re working relentlessly to change that. Through evidence-based research and development, we’re bringing the power of enterprise-grade, intelligent security to school bus fleets – ensuring they are as secure, connected, and capable as the school buildings they serve.

First Student (Booth 542)
Category: Best Software
Product/Solution: HALO
HALO is First Student’s proprietary, purpose-built technology platform designed to fundamentally transform how school transportation is managed, delivered and experienced. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions retrofitted for school use, HALO was developed from the ground up by the largest K-12 transportation provider in North America to meet the specific needs of school districts, drivers and families. HALO unifies every key aspect of transportation operations, routing, vehicle maintenance, safety monitoring, driver management, EV charging, vehicle tracking, and real-time communication, into one seamless, intelligent system. The result is a data-driven platform that gives school districts live visibility into day-to-day operations, equips drivers with intuitive tools that enhance performance and safety, and delivers families real-time transparency and peace of mind. The impact is real and widely recognized across the industry. HALO isn’t just a concept, but a proven platform delivering measurable results in efficiency, accountability, and service quality. It’s redefining what’s possible in student transportation.

Category: Best Software
Product/Solution: First View
First View, powered by HALO, is transforming how school districts and families experience student transportation, bringing real-time visibility, reliable communication and peace of mind to every ride. First View is a secure, GPS-based tracking and communication platform that connects school transportation teams with the families they serve. Through the district dashboard, administrators gain operational control and system-wide visibility. The parent mobile app empowers caregivers with timely, accurate updates on their student’s trip, whether on a yellow bus or alternative vehicle. With First View, districts can: Monitor the status of every vehicle and trip in real time, track both school bus and alternative transportation journeys, send instant service alerts to families for delays or route changes, review trip history and vehicle details for greater transparency. Plus, families can track their student’s bus or vehicle in real time, monitor multiple students from one account, receive customizable ETA alerts and notifications and plan their day with confidence, knowing exactly when and where their student’s vehicle will arrive. Already in use by over 13,000 schools across 605 school districts and trusted by more than half a million parents, First View is delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, communication and family experience. As the most used vehicle tracking app by a K-12 transportation provider, it’s not just innovation in theory, it’s innovation in action, making school transportation safer, smarter, and less stressful for everyone involved.

Freedman by Lippert (Booth 447)
Category: Best Safety technology
Product/Solution: SeatLink
Freedman’s SeatLink Seat Tracking Information System is designed to enhance passenger safety across various bus types—including school, paratransit, midsize, and heavy-duty buses—by providing real-time monitoring and reporting of seat occupancy and seatbelt usage. This advanced system supports up to 90 passengers and uses wireless communication between individual seat modules and a centralized head unit display. It alerts drivers to critical safety conditions, such as when a seat is occupied without the seat belt fastened, when the belt is engaged before the seat is occupied, or when a module experiences a low battery or malfunction. With battery-powered or optional wired modules, IP67 compliance for durability, and Intermittent Fault Filter (IFF) technology to reduce false readings, SeatLink delivers a robust, scalable solution that directly supports safer passenger transport and more informed oversight.

Geotab (Booth 523)
Category: Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: Geotab Vitality
Geotab’s new driver retention and rewards program, Geotab Vitality is here! Telematics platforms like Geotab can tell you about what your drivers can do to be more safe, but often the coaching process costs you drivers. Geotab Vitality is a “carrot” program where drivers earn rewards for good behavior, see the things that they could do to earn rewards faster by driving safer and collect their gift cards all in one app or portal. Learn how AI determines collision risk and rewards drivers, while giving transportation directors what they need to get kids to and from school safe and sound.

HopSkipDrive (Booth 125)
Category: Best Software, Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: HopSkipDrive RideIQ | Specialty Transportation
HopSkipDrive is revolutionizing student transportation with new offerings included in RideIQ, an innovative platform that seamlessly manages diverse student needs, including those requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), rider assistants, and car seats. This expansion, coupled with our industry-leading safety protocols and technological advancements, positions HopSkipDrive as the best-in-class software for student transportation.
Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles (WAV): Ride organizers can book, track and manage WAV rides directly within the HopSkipDrive RideIQ platform — all in one place for simpler, more consolidated ride management. This new offering is designed to provide seamless ride booking for students who require wheelchair-accessible vehicles, live ride status and visibility across RideIQ and daily queue platforms, and direct communication with the driver for all rides. WAV rides will be fulfilled by educated, vetted CarePartner drivers using specially equipped vehicles, giving your riders a safe and reliable transportation experience. Rider Assistants: For riders who require extra support, HopSkipDrive’s Rider Assistant program provides an additional adult to be present during the ride. Ride organizers can request a rider assistant for a ride directly in RideIQ with live ride tracking and real-time status updates. On-site staff will be able to see in RideIQ which rides include a Rider Assistant. Additionally, rider assistants are vetted and background-checked and receive education to support students with special needs. This service is designed to help meet IEP transportation requirements, ease transitions and provide students who need extra attention with support from pickup to drop-off.
Car Seat Rides for Ages 4 Through 6: Ride organizers can now book rides for younger students needing a car seat directly through HopSkipDrive, with a highly vetted CareDriver who will arrive with approved car seats. Our car seat program was developed in collaboration with leading child safety experts and is led by Britney Lombard, a former Safe Kids Worldwide specialist. It’s backed by our Safety Advisory Council to ensure the highest safety standards.
Safe Ride InSight: HopSkipDrive’s new in-ride camera program, designed to add a new layer of safety and transparency for both riders and CareDrivers. Safe Ride InSight automatically records designated rides using dual-camera dashcams (forward-facing and interior) and captures video and audio that operates alongside our advanced telematics system. Safe Ride InSight is available only on select rides where enabled at the rider level, with strict privacy and data protocols. Now, with Safe Ride InSight, ride organizers can confidently book rides for students, knowing there’s enhanced accountability and greater peace of mind, backed by HopSkipDrive’s industry-leading safety program.

LockNClimb, LLC (Booth 101)
Category: Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: 44LNCTRKENG
This rolling ergonomic safety ladder with its 44-inch-high platform has revolutionized the way bus maintenance technicians can reach most all service points around the exterior of the school bus. It has been designed with input from safety managers, shop supervisors and mechanics. Its wide base slides around the tires and under the bus carriage to allow close working access to engines, windshields, running lights, top edges, rear lights and door frames. Technicians climb using the OSHA recommended three points of contact between yellow safety handrails to the extra wide slip resistant platform to perform their work. Proven to prevent costly accidents and injuries, these ladders provide a stable and comfortable working platform that increases efficiency, productivity and morale, thus positively affecting the organization’s bottom line. These ladders are built one at a time in the USA and have been engineered to meet all applicable OSHA and ANSI standards. They are OSHA rated 1AA Special Purpose and tested to exceed ANSI 375lbs. Currently used by bus and trucking companies all over North America.

Mayser USA (Booth 444)
Category: Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: Drag Detection Door Seals
Redesigning school bus door seals with electrical sensitive edges to be able to detect all obstructions. This includes objects as small as a backpack strap, thus creating an ‘anti-drag’ door system. Every year, multiple kids are dragged by school buses and injured, and this anti-drag solution prevents this accident from ever occurring. The state of Maine has also mandated obstruction detection on all school buses sold in Maine starting in 2025.

Pro-Vision (Booth 120)
Category: Best Software
Product/Solution: CloudConnect 4G Live
CloudConnect 4G Live takes school bus video management to the next level with real-time streaming and remote video uploads over 4G. Instantly view live footage from any vehicle and retrieve video files without waiting for vehicles to return to Wi-Fi range. It’s a secure, cloud-based solution that eliminates manual downloads, simplifies access and enhances situational awareness across your fleet. With automatic event uploads, system health monitoring and customizable user access, CloudConnect delivers complete control, anytime, anywhere—helping you respond faster, reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency. It’s the future of bus video, available today.

Transfinder (Booth 201)
Category: Best Hardware, Best Software, Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: Stopfinder Digital Card ID
Student ID cards could become a thing of the past with this technological advancement, turning a student’s cellphone into their ID card. Students with Android or IOS phones can scan when entering the bus for ridership tracking purposes. This advancement eliminates the need for substituting RFID cards and/or replacing lost costs. This technology augments Transfinder’s parent app Stopfinder, providing parents peace of mind that their child made the bus and tracking the bus’s location.
Wayfinder Reader: With the latest advancement in Wayfinder embedded tablet and reader hardware, communication breakdowns that result from a bus breakdown are a thing of the past. Interaction between the hardware (reader and tablet) is seamless so when a driver removes their tablet from a broken-down bus and installs it on another bus, the information about the “new” bus is read and delivered to users of the Stopfinder parent app. No longer will transportation staff need to scramble to communicate with parents about the bus change or field calls from concerned parents who are no longer seeing their child’s bus moving along a planned route.

Category: Best Hardware, Best Software, Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: Transfinder Enterprise
Route Visibility: Transfinder’s Wayfinder ETA Dashboard and its real-time capability can now be shared with school building personnel and other stakeholders in Viewfinder, identifying when a bus will be arriving at a stop or a school building. A bus can be seen on a map in real-time, where the bus is headed on the planned path, how long the path is and if the bus is off path, what adjustment will be made to return safely on path while abiding with the safety algorithms set by the routers. The increase in communication with dispatchers and routers allows them to understand what is happening during the routes and make changes on up-to-the-minute conditions. With this capability, communication is enhanced among key stakeholders.
Attendance Routing: The driver app, Wayfinder, can also automatically generate the most efficient route based on who is getting on the bus. For example, a late bus can have different students riding different days depending on the activities they participate in. When students scan their ID cards as they get on the late bus, for example, the safest and most efficient route is created for the driver.
Posts: Users can post on any record type, such as a student, trip or vehicle to facilitate a conversation around that record. That information is accessible across all Transfinder solutions. This makes critical information available to key personnel. For example, the posts (pictures, texts or other data) can provide details about problems related to stops or vehicles or ongoing behavioral issues with students.
Student Lookup: Viewfinder expands its capabilities for student lookup to include not just RFID and bar/QR codes but student phones as well, so teachers walking through the halls can scan to have access to pertinent information.

Category: Best Hardware, Best Software, Best Safety Technology
Product/Solution: Map Incidents
Transfinder tackles a continuing and growing concern of students crossing busy and dangerous streets by adding functionality in Routefinder PLUS to view where students not just cross the street to get on the bus but what streets they cross on their way to the bus. With PLUS, users can embed trip and street data and logic into their maps and trips, making it easier for routers to design safer trips. This data is then seen on the driver app, Wayfinder, informing drivers which students are going to be crossing. PLUS, also gives control to routers to create only right stop pickups for particular grades or specific streets, forbidding crossing on certain streets. In addition, routers and dispatchers can add map incidents in real-time that will route drivers away from problem areas (such as a flooded road). Drivers can also identify on the Wayfinder tablet issues at a particular stop that routers can review and address. Another feature includes alerting drivers as they approach railroad crossings.

Tyler Technologies (Booth 501)
Category: Best Hardware
Product/Solution: Tyler Drive’s Dynamic Student Routing
Unexpected ridership changes and last-minute route adjustments can lead to delays and confusion — especially during after-school activities or emergencies. Tyler Drive’s Dynamic Student Routing empowers drivers to create real-time, on-the-spot routes based on students who scan onto the bus. Whether managing an impromptu after-school run or responding to an emergency evacuation where standard routes aren’t feasible, this solution ensures students are transported home quickly, safely, and efficiently — without guesswork.

Category: Best Software
Product/Solution: Student Transportation
Ensuring every student arrives safely and on time — while keeping parents informed and operations running smoothly — requires a proven transportation solution built for the modern school environment. Tyler’s integrated Student Transportation platform delivers exactly that. From vehicle routing and automatic vehicle location (AVL) to activity trip planning, fleet maintenance and a connected parent app, every module works seamlessly together. In-vehicle tablets further enhance safety and performance by supporting pre- and post-trip inspections, real-time student ridership tracking, driver communication, turn-by-turn navigation, and dynamic routing capabilities. The result? A safer, and more responsive transportation system — for districts, contractors, drivers, and families alike.

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Tesla fans get really excited when new features, trials, or beta programs arrive. That’s probably why very few people realized that a post on Reddit was just a prank by an overeager owner. They reported a birthday reward email supposedly from Tesla offering a 30-day horsepower boost. It turns out that before realizing it was a hoax, many took the chance to bash the US EV maker and other brands for paywall-blocked features.

More: Rivian Will Make You Pay For Extra Power And Range Your EV Already Has

Posted on Reddit’s Tesla Model 3 forum, the main feature was an image. It appeared to be an email directly from Tesla. “Happy Birthday! We are delighted to offer you an exclusive birthday gift: +50 Extra Horsepower,” it said. “Your Tesla has been upgraded with an additional 50 horsepower, effective for the next 30 days.”

A Convincing Fake

At first glance, it looks legitimate. The script looks realistic, the grammar is fine, and it appears to come from no-reply@Tesla.com. That was more than enough to fool several people. The top comments are full of people assuming it’s real. Some ask about future programs based on the idea, others joke about changing their birthday in the Tesla app, and others comment on their excitement about it.

At the same time, it left some fans feeling disillusioned and annoyed. Several made comments to that effect. “…is it just me that thinks that’s absolutely ridiculous? If I have the hardware, why would I pay to use the hardware? That’s like buying a computer with 16gb of ram, only having 12, and then getting an email “unlocking” the other 4gb for 30 days.

“Just… stupid. Either sell me the car without the extra horsepower (so, without the hardware that makes it possible)… or let me use all the horsepower it can produce. This is just… awful,” said one. After another commented on how cool it was that you could download extra horsepower, another responded, “You mean mildly infuriated it’s locked behind a paywall.”

A Familiar Practice

Of course, in this case, the birthday gift wasn’t real, but it’s not as if Tesla doesn’t offer similar products. As of this writing, buyers can unlock features that the hardware they own is already capable of, like additional range or speed.

Notably, Tesla is far from the only brand to offer this sort of thing. Several brands offer similar ‘subscription services’, from extra power to adaptive suspension. Unless buyers unite to condemn this type of practice, it’ll probably never end.

Credit: glebulon / Reddit

Rivian introduced the second-generation R1S and R1T last summer and now the company has unveiled the new quad-motor variants. They’re high-performance EVs that start at $115,990 for the truck and $121,990 for the SUV.

Designed to be more powerful and capable than ever before, the models are equipped with four electric motors that produce a combined output of 1,025 hp (764 kW / 1,039 PS) and 1,198 lb-ft (1,622 Nm) of torque. This enables the R1T to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 2.5 seconds, while the R1S can accomplish the same task a tenth of a second later.

More: 2025 Rivian R1S Is An Imperfect But Promising Look At The Future

Rivian was coy on full details, but claimed both variants have an EPA-estimated range of up to 374 miles (602 km). That increases to 400 miles (644 km) in Conserve mode, which disengages the rear drive unit. However, Rivian’s configurator lists less impressive ranges of 338 and 360 miles (544 and 579 km) for the Launch Editions.

Putting that aside, Rivian said the vehicles are equipped with their newest drive units. Each features two electric motors that were designed and manufactured in-house. The company added the “rear drive unit has a larger gear ratio and is built for maximum performance and torque delivery, while the front drive unit is optimized for maximizing efficiency at cruising speeds.”

Rivian went on to say the new motors are oil-cooled, which helps to significantly improve their thermal performance during “high-torque, low-speed driving such as rock crawling.” They also help to improve efficiency during high-speed driving on highways.

Familiar Looks With A Handful Of Special Touches

Besides the new powertrains, there isn’t much to report as first- and second-generation R1s look virtually identical. That being said, the Quad variants feature an Ascend interior with quilted seats, extended stitching, and fancier door panels. They’re joined by plaid accents, bronze flourishes, and new fabric on the front seat backs. Other highlights include Brown Ash, Walnut, or Driftwood trim.

Moving outside, there are new 20- and 22-inch wheels that are backed up by Laguna Beach Blue brake calipers. Customers can also get Dark or Dune Satin Graphite wheels wrapped in 34-inch all-terrain tires.

Other highlights include a glass roof and a standard Darkout Package. They’re joined by an air compressor and underbody protection. More notably, there’s a rear-mounted Gear Guard mascot with “wind-swept hair” that hints at the vehicle’s performance.

Rivian is throwing in a number of high-tech toys including a Launch Mode with a Launch Cam. As the name implies, it records your Launch Mode adventures and then displays real-time stats when showing replays in the Videos app.

Quad-Specific Features Including A Kick Turn Function

More interestingly, Rivian announced a RAD Tuner is coming in September. It promises to give drivers “better control over their vehicle’s dynamic behavior” as there will be “intuitive sliders” that can be used to create personalized and savable driving modes. These can be built from scratch or based on presets such as Sport or Rally mode.

A Kick Turn function is also coming this fall and it promises to make tight off-road turns easier. As the company explained, “When you engage Kick Turn, your R1 Quad smartly adjusts the power to the inside wheels, slowing them down or even reversing them. This precise control over wheel slip ensures your vehicle turns exactly as quickly and smoothly as you intend.”

A more useful addition is a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which will come standard on every 2026 R1. It provides easy access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, although Quad-Motor variants will also come with a complimentary CCS adapter.

Launch Edition Arrives First

To celebrate the introduction of the new Quad, Rivian has announced a Launch Edition. It offers an exclusive Launch Green exterior and special badging on the dashboard. Buyers will also find added equipment including a Camp Speaker, a Gen 2 key fob, and lifetime access to Connect+ as well as the Rivian Autonomy Platform+.

The Launch Editions are unsurprisingly more expensive as pricing starts at $119,990 for the R1T and $125,990 for the R1S. The special edition will also be offered in Canada for $196,990 CAD and $207,990 CAD.

Deliveries of the R1 Quad will begin later this month and the initial focus is on Launch Editions. Rivian’s website shows customers can expect them to be available in two to three weeks.

After earlier merger talks between Nissan and Honda fell through, a new contender stepped into the spotlight. Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics giant best known for assembling iPhones, is reportedly in discussions to partner with Nissan on EV production. According to a new report, Nissan may allow Foxconn to use its Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Japan, to build EVs.

Read: Foxconn Will Build EVs In The US But You’ll Never See Its Name On Them

Foxconn has been signaling its automotive ambitions for years now. The company has previewed a range of electric models, including the Model C, Model B, Model E, Model T, and Model V, reflecting a clear push to gain a foothold in the competitive EV industry.

Underused Factory, Uncertain Future

As it stands, Nissan’s Oppama site employs roughly 3,900 people and has been in operation since 1961. It has the capacity to build 240,000 units, but its utilization rate has fallen well below that, reportedly topping out at just 40 percent last year. That’s bad news, particularly since it’s said to have a break-even point of 80 percent.

That underutilization has raised concerns about the plant’s long-term viability. Nissan has announced plans to shut down seven global factories but has yet to name all of them. If Oppama ends up on the chopping block, the closure would be costly.

Beyond laying off thousands of employees, Nissan would need to find a replacement for the facility’s on-site test track, and many nearby suppliers with long-standing ties to the automaker would also be affected.

While details of the arrangement are still unclear, Nikkei Asia reports that the two companies could explore a joint venture, with longer-term collaboration on future EV development.

In a statement responding to the report, Nissan asserted “that article is not based on any official announcement from Nissan.” It handed that under the Re:Nissan plan, the company “is currently reviewing the integration and closure of some of its global production sites. However, this process has not yet been concluded beyond the two sites that have been announced so far.”

In response to the report, Nissan clarified that “the article is not based on any official announcement.” The automaker said that under its Re:Nissan plan, the company “is currently reviewing the integration and closure of some of its global production sites. However, this process has not yet been concluded beyond the two sites that have been announced so far.”

Model C Coming to North America

Meanwhile, Foxconn is moving forward with its own EV rollout. Auto News reports that the company plans to begin deliveries of the Model C in North America before the end of this year. A minivan, known as the Model D, is expected to follow in 2027, signaling Foxconn’s broader push into both the consumer and commercial EV spaces.

Bentley is gearing up to introduce their first electric vehicle in 2026 and they’re previewing its styling language with the new EXP 15 concept. It’s a big departure for the brand and it’s billed as an “elevated sporting sedan.”

While we weren’t expecting Bentley to follow in the footsteps of the Toyota Crown and Volvo S60 Cross Country, the EXP 15 is part coupe, part sedan, and part crossover. It’s an unusual combination, but Bentley Design Director Robin Page offered some context.

More: Bentley’s First EV Caught Hiding Under Porsche Cayenne Disguise

“It’s clear that SUVs are a growing segment and we understand the GT market – through four generations of the Continental GT – but the trickiest segment is the sedan because it’s changing,” he explained. “Some customers want a classic ‘three-box’ sedan shape, others a ‘one-box’ design, and others again something more elevated. So this was a chance for us to talk to people and get a feeling.”

A New Shape for the Brand

They’ll likely get plenty of feedback as the resulting concept doesn’t even resemble a Bentley. Instead, it’s an anonymous edgy blob that looks part Volvo with a dash of Jaguar.

That’s probably not what designers were going for, but the EXP 15 has an Upright Elegance front end, which is dominated by a large enclosed grille. The latter uses lights to mimic the appearance of a traditional grille, while also turning the unnecessary component into a “piece of digital art.”

Elsewhere, there are vertical headlights and Bentley’s new winged emblem. They’re joined by an illuminated hood ornament as well as a frunk, which is accessed via “piano-style hinged engine covers.”

Moving further back, we can see a relatively flat hood that meets rakish black A-pillars. They flow into a sloping black roof, which contrasts with the shimmering silver-gold body.

The concept has streamlined bodywork that mixes taut surfaces with edgy lines and rounded wheel arches. They’re joined by muscular rear haunches and a slender greenhouse. We can also see aerodynamically optimized wheels and a considerable amount of ground clearance.

The EXP 15 is an oddity due to its three-door arrangement, which has a single door on the driver’s side as well as two doors on the passenger side. Even more strangely, there are two front doors despite the car only having one front seat.

The rear end is less offensive, but a tad generic aside from two active spoilers that are mounted onto the roof. They’re joined by an active diffuser and stylish taillights, which vaguely recall Dodge’s racetrack design.

Bentley didn’t go into many specifics, but confirmed the concept is over 196.9 inches (5,000 mm) long. This suggests it could be smaller than the Flying Spur, which clocks in at 209.3 inches (5,316 mm).

While the production EV will be a far cry from the concept, Bentley said it “provides hints to the design” of future models. They suggested we can expect more modern and sculpted bodywork as well as efforts to reduce “visual weight.”

An Odd And Flexible Interior

The weirdness continues inside as the EXP 15 has a three-seat interior with “innovative in-cabin storage for treasured pets and/or hand luggage.” As part of this effort, Bentley developed a dog bed that can be strapped where the front passenger seat would normally reside. Drivers can also opt to have two suitcases next to them, presumably stuffed with cash.

The quirkiness doesn’t end there as the passenger-side seat can be moved into three different positions. There’s the Standard rear position, a reclined Relax mode, and a Co-Pilot mode that sees the seat moved up alongside the driver. The seat can also swivel 45 degrees outwards to improve entry and egress.

Bentley noted there’s plenty of legroom in rear-mounted seating positions due to the lack of a front passenger seat. The company also mentioned a Concertina Floor Storage system, which has a footrest that folds downward into the floor when not in use.

Putting the seats aside, there’s a ‘Wing Gesture’ dashboard that can act as a full-width digital display. It features a slender digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system that is represented as a “Mechanical Marvel.” The latter is billed as a “clock-like device with multiple movable and illuminated fingers … which can indicate the car’s direction of travel, the state of its electric charge and much more.” They’re joined by a lower passenger side display, which feels out of place due to the lack of a front passenger seat.

Interestingly, the displays can be switched off to reveal a veneered wood surface that is visible underneath their glass. That isn’t the only cool touch as we can see a stylish steering wheel and some avant-garde switchgear as Page said, “We think people are going to get fed up with a fully digital experience and are pining for physical mechanical elements too.”

Bentley didn’t say much about the rear seats, but they’re separated by a console that has an integrated display as well as a stylish lamp. The console also houses a refrigerator and dedicated controls.

Given that the concept is part crossover, the EXP 15 has a spacious boot that can double as an upmarket picnic area. Part of the liftgate folds down to reveal two small seats that add some much needed cushioning. The rear lamp and fridge from the console can also slide back to the boot for an elegant evening under the stars.

The Electric Bentley

While the production model is coming next year, the company was coy on powertrain details. However, the ultra-luxury brand said the concept was “conceived as having a fully-electric, all-wheel drive powertrain with a long range and recharging speeds commensurate with the convenience customers have come to expect of a Bentley.”

That’s not much to go on, but Bentley teased their EV in 2024 and billed it as a “Luxury Urban SUV.” It will only incorporate cues from the EXP 15 as the production model will have a lot in common with the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric.

Modern cars are subjected to all kinds of crash scenarios before they’re legally allowed on US streets, and they protect us far better than an old car ever could. But a higher force must have been protecting the driver of a Model Y in California who walked away from an accident that by all rights should have resulted in a one-way ticket to the morgue.

The images of the wrecked Model Y from the CHP are truly jaw-dropping and show a pre-facelift Model Y doing its best impression of a monorail carriage.

Related: See What Happens When Two Cars Hit A Chinese EV In A Triple Crash Test

The side of the car is entirely undamaged, and you could almost say it looks like it slid sideways against the guardrail, neatly pushing the barrier in. But no, the guardrail isn’t crushed by the car, it’s running literally right through the thing. In the front, right down the center, and out the back.

A Rare Kind of Collision

According to the California Highway Patrol in Los Banos, where the crash took place on I-5, the driver “for unknown reasons” allowed his EV to veer off the road and through the road’s center divide where it crashed into the guardrail. The force of the collision pushed the rail through the Tesla’s nose and then its firewall, before it exited out the rear. Thank heavens no one was sitting in the center seat on the rear bench.

CHP Los Banos

The driver was saved by the conventional two-seat layout up front, but looking at the crumpled state of the rail that’s exited out the back, gives us an idea of the amount of energy that was involved in the collision, and how close they came to getting hurt or killed.

“Lucky for the driver he only sustained minor injuries and was able to walk away,” Los Banos police said in a Facebook post. “Driving a vehicle requires 100% attention to the road. Avoid distractions and focus on driving.”

We don’t know why the driver left the road, but with so much Tesla ADAS technology at his disposal, it should never have happened in the first place. This time he was lucky, but you get the feeling he might have used up all nine lives at once on this incident.

Electric cars have come a long way from being just quiet, efficient commuters. Today, some of them are pushing deep into enthusiast territory, proving that performance doesn’t have to rely on combustion. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a prime example, showing that an EV can be engaging, fun to drive, and tailored to those who love driving for its own sake.

Still, there’s a certain kind of mechanical involvement, like shifting your own gears, that even the best EVs can’t fully replicate. That point seems to be completely lost on Hyundai’s European technical chief, Tyrone Johnson.

Read: We Drove Hyundai’s Last i20 N And It’s The Hot Hatch You’ll Wish You Bought

In a recent interview, Johnson said that for those wanting to go fast, there’s nothing better than an EV, and he knows a thing or two about performance cars. Before joining Hyundai in 2018, he had worked at Ford for 33 years and, at one stage, was the chief engineer for Ford’s RS cars, including the Focus RS. That happened to be one of the finest hot hatches of the last decade, but the industry has undergone significant changes since then.

Manual Holdouts Still Have a Case

“Nobody wants manual gearboxes and handbrakes anymore, or analogue instruments,” Johnson told Car Magazine. After living with the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris, complete with a six-speed manual and a traditional handbrake, we’d beg to differ. Hyundai also continues to sell the i20 N and i30 N/Elantra N with stick shifts, so clearly, some people still want a manual.

Johnson did concede that certain sensory cues, like vibrations and engine noise, help drivers stay in tune with the car.

“I can understand that some people want to have the sounds, vibrations, things like that,” he acknowledged. “Those sensory inputs help the human brain understand what’s going on in a car.” It’s for these reasons that Hyundai added things like a faux combustion soundtrack to the Ioniq 5 N, as well as an artificial transmission.

As for the nostalgia or more traditional performance cars? Johnson doesn’t understand it.

“I’m a performance guy,” he said. “I did the first Mustang Shelby [the 1992 SVT Mustang]. I don’t understand the idea that performance cars are dying. If you want to go fast, there’s nothing better than an EV. I don’t understand the nostalgia.”

He even went so far as to say that most current performance cars are “a disappointment” compared to the Ioniq 5 N.

It’s easy to understand where Johnson is coming from. After all, software is allowing car manufacturers to add features that improve the driving experience, and this will be on full display with the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. But, if given the choice between driving an Ioniq 5 N or a six-speed Elantra N up a mountain road, we’d probably still opt for the Elantra.

Six months after making its first appearance in Europe, Mazda’s new 6e sedan has landed in local showrooms. Known for turning out some of the most stylish vehicles in the mainstream market, Mazda may have raised the bar again with this one. The 6e is arguably the brand’s most visually striking sedan yet, even if it isn’t entirely homegrown. Beneath the sheet metal, it shares its underpinnings with a Chinese-market vehicle.

Get Ready For A Price Shocker

We’ve previously taken a close look at the EZ-6, the Chinese counterpart to the 6e, highlighting its affordability in its home market. There, the fully electric version starts at 159,800 yuan and tops out at 181,800 yuan, which converts to roughly €20,700 to €23,600 or $22,500 to $25,500, depending on the trim level. That makes it a serious bargain compared to what European buyers are asked to pay.

Read: Mazda’s Sportier 6e Sedan Launches In China With A Price Tag That Feels Like A Typo

In Europe, the 6e is sold exclusively as a fully electric sedan, since the range-extender variant offered in China won’t be available here, at least for now. In Germany, pricing begins at €44,900 ($49,000) for the Takumi trim. Stepping up to the Takumi Plus adds features like a panoramic roof, wood interior accents, and partial Nappa leather upholstery, bringing the price to €46,900 ($51,200).

Even accounting for spec differences and local taxes, that’s well over double the starting price of the Chinese version – 2.17 times higher, to be exact. The stark contrast underlines just how aggressively priced the EZ-6 is in China, and how much more European buyers are expected to spend on what is essentially the same car.

For comparison, Tesla’s Model 3 ranges from €39,990 (around $43,600) for the RWD version to €49,990 ($54,500) for the Long Range AWD, and tops out at €58,490 ($63,800) for the Performance model in Germany. Meanwhile, BMW’s i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe starts at €60,600 (approximately $66,100).

Electric Range and Powertrain Options

Now reaching dealerships across the region, the Mazda 6e is available in two forms. The standard pure EV features a 68.8 kWh battery, offering a driving range of up to 279 miles (479 km). Power comes from a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 255 hp (190 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque.

While its range won’t set any new benchmarks, it should be more than adequate for typical daily driving unless regular long-distance travel is involved. Those who do can opt for with an 80 kWh battery, which boosts range to 343 miles (552 km).

Typically, EVs with larger battery packs pair them with more powerful motors, but that’s not the case here. In fact, the Long Range model makes slightly less power, with a single rear motor producing 242 hp (180 kW) and the same 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. Both versions manage a 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) time under eight seconds and reach a top speed of 109 mph (175 km/h).

To EV owners, of course, charging speed is of more importance than outright performance. The 68.8 kWh version supports peak DC charging speeds of 200 kW, meaning it can get from 10-80 percent in just 22 minutes. Curiously, the Long Range version charges considerably slower as it is capped at a 95 kW peak. That means a 10-80% charge will take roughly 45 minutes, or double the cheaper model.

It’s worth noting that Europe won’t be getting China’s range-extender EZ-6 variant, which features a 1.5-liter setup producing 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) to feed the battery.

A Clean and Comfortable Cabin

Tech specs aside, it’s not just the exterior of the 6e that looks good; Mazda has also done a fine job with its interior. Yes, it will be a little too minimalist for some, but the steering wheel looks great, the floating center console has a premium aesthetic, and the infotainment screen is massive. There’s also a digital instrument cluster, a wireless smartphone charger, ambient lighting, and a mixture of leather and soft-touch Alcantara for the upholstery.

Now, many EVs currently on sale may offer more in certain areas than the 6e but, let’s face it, apart from logic, in many cases emotion plays a big role in choosing your next ride. If the Mazda’s sexy design can’t convince a sufficient number of buyers (who never leave the tarmac) to get it instead of an SUV, then that bodystyle may indeed be consigned to history books after all.

John Halas contributed to this story

In an unprecedented move, India held the water treaty in abeyance after blaming Pakistan for a deadly attack in April. Pakistan denies involvement in the attack and accuses India of "weaponizing water."

(Image credit: Betsy Joles for NPR)

 

South Africa’s government is moving to forestall port strikes, which in the past have left a massive dent to the country’s economy. In a new directive, the Department of Labor is proposing to expand its list of essential services to include port operations. This step would ban strikes for certain categories of employees of Transnet, the national port and rail authority.

The government directive suggests that marine services, including navigation, pilotage, towage and berthing, will be listed as essential services. Cargo services will also fall under this category when the cargo to be offloaded consists of explosives, flammable and pharmaceutical products. Port security, emergency and firefighting personnel have also been added to the essential services list.

The directive, which was published last month, comes a few weeks after Transnet and its majority union UNTU reached a wage agreement. UNTU members had voted to approve a labor action back in May, and the deal averted a major port strike in South Africa. Transnet agreed for an 18 percent salary increase over three years, although UNTU was pushing for a 10 percent rise in a single year agreement. Earlier in March, the smaller union SATAWU had settled for a 17.5 percent increase over three years.

In 2022, an UNTU-led port strike almost left South Africa’s economy at a standstill, with serious disruption to exports of minerals and fresh products. According to the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), the 11-day strike (beginning October 6, 2022), led to over $3 billion in export losses.

The new directive on port services is seen as part of a government reform effort to return Transnet to profitability. In the six months to September 30 last year, Transnet reported a loss of $117 million, citing higher costs and operational challenges. In May, the government agreed to give the state-owned logistics group a $2.8 billion guarantee facility. The funding would go to operations, servicing debt and capital investments over a period of two years.

However, Transnet in the last two months has celebrated achieving significant milestones in its port operations. With MSC now deploying ultra-large containerships to Africa, Transnet has successfully berthed this kind of vessels at its two ports. In June, Port of Durban received MSC Rifaya, the largest boxship to ever dock at the port. The vessel is nearly 400 meters long and has capacity for up to 19,499 TEUs.

Last week, Transnet celebrated yet another historical moment with the docking of MSC Nicole Mastro at the Port of Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape. Mastro is larger than Rifaya and has capacity for around 24,000 TEUs.

On Tuesday morning, a sudden storm swept over the coast of Croatia, tearing down trees and disrupting traffic - and sending a runaway ferry careening into a line of moored passenger vessels. 

At the port of Split, Croatia, the ferry Petar Hektorovi? was tied up at the pier when the storm hit. In unexpectedly high winds, its lines parted, and it drifted into two vessels. First it made contact with a catamaran, then struck a tourist excursion vessel, which was damaged by the impact and sunk. No passengers were aboard and no personnel were injured, harbormaster Zvone Perkusic told local outlet tportal - adding that it could have been much worse. The crew of the Hektorovi? dropped both anchors and started the main engines quickly, averting further damage, operator Jadrolinija said.

“Ono kad se prošlost doslovno sudari…
Petar Hektorovi? trajekt mog djetinjstva, što me nosio na Vis, udario je danas u drugi brod.
Nije slu?ajno da baš on “puca po šavovima”.
Nešto veliko se sprema. ?????????” pic.twitter.com/FwGJQwQq2B

— Tea Mratini? (@TMratinic3107) July 8, 2025

"The ferry captain's ingenious and courageous maneuver should be commended, thanks to which a tragedy and much greater damage were avoided," Perkusic said. 

First responders and a commercial salvage company attended the scene to control the risk of pollution. 

The storm also injured at least three people on shore in Split, and was powerful enough to damage the roof of the city's soccer stadium. Further up the coast, in Barbariga, a waterspout was reported just offshore. 

Separately, near the island of Kaprije, a small excursion catamaran capsized, and nine people - including seven Swedish nationals and one German - went over the side. Good Samaritans and police responders rescued all nine and brought them to shore, including two who were taken to a hospital for medical care. 

 

Eight people have been sentenced to spend more than a decade in prison in connection with the 2023 drug bust aboard the merchant bulker Matthew, the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history. 

In September 2023, Irish authorities received intelligence indicating a planned handoff from the bulker Matthew to the small trawler Castlemore at a designated transfer point off the coast of Cork. Several days in advance, the Irish Navy patrol vessel William Butler Yeats got under way and loitered in the area to observe. 

On the morning of September 26, the Yeats received orders to chase the bulker down. When it failed to comply with directives to head for the port of Cork, the crew of the Yeats fired warning shots, which the bulker ignored.

As the Yeats increased the intensity of its warning shots, ramping up towards disabling shots at the Matthew's engine room, it received orders to stand by. Instead, a team of Irish Army Ranger Wing commandos boarded the vessel by helicopter to enforce compliance. The boarding was hazardous, the team told Irish Mirror: the helicopter's blades came dangerously close to one of the Matthew's deck cranes as the vessel continued to maneuver. After the commando team fast-roped onto the rolling, pitching deck, the operation proceeded as planned and the ship was under control within minutes. 

During the process, the boarding team had to stop some of Matthew's crewmembers from attempting to burn the cocaine in a lifeboat, they told the Irish Mirror.   

Overall, the operation netted 2,200 kilos of cocaine, valued at $170 million. Six people aboard the vessel were arrested, and all pleaded guilty to smuggling charges. Two men on shore - one Ukrainian national and one British national - also filed guilty pleas for attempted drug smuggling. 

During sentencing, the judge took into account the involvement of a transnational drug cartel in the planning and execution of the shipment, an aggravating factor. Given the size of the bust, the authorities believe that at least part of the shipment was likely headed to other markets after landing in Ireland. 

The court handed down a sentence of 20 years for crewmember Cumali "Jimmy" Ozgen, who was considered the cartel's ringleader on board. The others were sentenced to 13.5-18 years. 

[Brief] In the early hours of Monday morning, a marine pilot was seriously injured while boarding a vessel from a pilot boat. 

At about 0015 hours Monday, a 66-year-old pilot was transferring from a boat of the Belgian Pilotage Service to a ship. While climbing the pilot ladder, he fell a distance of about 20 feet back onto the pilot boat, sustaining severe injuries. 

The pilot was evacuated to a hospital in the town of Goes for urgent treatment, and was reportedly in critical condition. He was later transferred to another hospital in Antwerp.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. Belgian media services report that the victim was set to retire next month.

The climb from a moving pilot boat up the side of a moving ship involves risk, and tragic pilot ladder accidents are all too frequent. SOLAS V Regulation 23 provides specific measures for pilot ladder arrangements and equipment, but many marine pilots report that these rules are not always followed.  

 

Once one of the leading shipbuilders in South Korea, the former STX Yard, which was relaunched as K Shipbuilding, is celebrating a remarkable turnaround. According to a report in The Korean Economic Daily, after having posted its first profit in 14 years, the investment group with revived the shipbuilder is now looking to cash out.

KHI Investment and United Asset Management Company (UAMCO), South Korea's biggest bad debt investor, took control of the troubled shipbuilder in 2021, paying more than $180 million for the company. Timing was ideal as shipbuilding was entering a strong upcycle, and although they were a smaller mid-sized yard, the business, renamed K Shipbuilding, was able to grow quickly.

The investment group believes that despite the slowing in orders, it is still a good time to cash out with the news report saying they are seeking as much as $732 million for the company. As part of the sale, KED reports that UAMCO also seeks a debt refinancing of more than $100 million in financing provided to restore K Shipbuilding. The investors have also decided to exclude bids from foreign private equity investors instead seeking a Korean buyer for the company, which it views as a strategic asset for Korea.

STX was a thriving company with 1,500 employees in Korea in 2017, shortly before it collapsed. It had grown quickly, adding international operations, but suffered badly from the downturn in shipbuilding at the end of the 2000s and into the 2010s. After a series of refinancing and asset sales, STX went into receivership in 2016. 

The Korean Economic Daily reports that the company last year posted its first profit in 14 years. The forecast is that the yard could exceed 1 trillion won ($735 million) in revenues in 2025. It would be the first time the company has reached those levels since 2019.

The Korean shipbuilding looks to new emerging opportunities as the Trump administration looks to counter China’s dominance of shipbuilding. Last year, Hanwha Ocean also broke into the U.S. Navy repair sector, and reports are that Korea’s midsized shipbuilders are looking to follow, also bidding for U.S. Navy projects.

In addition to its investment in K Shipbuilding, KHI also joined an investor consortium that acquired another midship shipbuilder, Daehan Shipbuilding. Like STX, it had fallen on hard times and went through more than a decade of debt refinancing. KHI is the last remaining investor, and it has announced plans for Daehan to go public on the Korean Stock Exchange later this month.
 

Canada granted an investigative Use Permit to Oceanic Wind Energy for what could become the country’s first offshore wind farm. The company, which is in partnership with a First Nation company, Coast Tsimshian Enterprises, is calling the permit a milestone in its effort to advance offshore energy to power the growing industrial areas of Northwest British Columbia.

The plan calls for developing a 600 to 700 MW offshore wind farm that would be just west of Stephens Island on the Hecate Strait. It would be approximately 20 miles from Price Rupert and not far from the border with Alaska. The company highlights the energy demands of the Port of Prince Rupert, which is expanding operations, and the growing industrial and resource sectors in the northern reaches of British Columbia. Among the developing industries in the region is the LNG export operations.

While the location is in a sheltered strait, the companies highlight that it is a strong location for offshore wind power development.  They highlight that the Hecate Strait is home to one of the world’s most powerful and consistent wind resources.

“With Class 7 wind conditions, low shear and turbidity, average annual wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s, and a winter capacity factor of over 65%, the area offers an unparalleled opportunity to generate clean, reliable energy—especially during BC’s peak demand season,” said Mike O’Connor, President of Oceanic Wind Energy.

Issuing the Investigative Use Permit is the latest in a series of approvals the project has gained. In January, the company reported its Crown Land Tenure Application for Windpower Investigation had also been approved. At the end of 2024, the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship advised that they had also completed their initial review and the application was accepted, launching a comment period that was due to end in February.

Oceanic calls these approvals the first phase of its plan. It will continue to proceed with the investigation to define the project. The company is in a race with other projects that also look to develop Canada’s offshore wind power industry. Efforts are also underway to define the industry on the Atlantic coast between Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador. 

The Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Natural Resources in May 2025 outlined five potential zones. Four would be along the Atlantic coast, while the fifth would be to the north in the Cabot Strait. Nova Scotia has outlined a target to offer leases for 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030

 

Russia’s Navy is facing huge pressures, primarily as a byproduct of President Putin’s over-ambitious attempts to claim great power status.

The most obvious pinch-point is in the Black Sea, where Russia’s fleet has pulled back out of danger and forced into distant ports, primarily by the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone attacks. Even more astonishing because Ukraine lost most of its obsolescent naval vessels in early rounds of the conflict, the net effect is that Russia has lost control of the Black Sea, and Ukraine has now been able to resume imports and exports through Odesa and other ports in the south-west of the country. The residual capabilities which the depleted Black Sea Fleet retains are the ability to launch cruise missiles from the Eastern Black Sea, and to deter offensive naval operations which Ukraine might otherwise have sought to mount along the Crimean coast.

In the Mediterranean, it is a similar story. The Russian Navy has lost the homeport for what was once its Mediterranean Flotilla in Tartus, where it perhaps retains a foothold but not apparently the right to dock and support warships. This loss is compounded by the Russian Navy’s inability to support its flotilla in the Mediterranean by rotating warships though the Bosporus, which Turkey has unilaterally closed to all warships, as is its right in times of war under the 1936 Montreux Convention. The net effect has seen Russia’s naval presence reduced from a standing force of about five warships and a submarine operating out of Tartus, to the occasional deployments to the Mediterranean of one or two frigates and a submarine drawn from the Baltic and Northern Fleet, along with a lingering presence of a couple of oilers and intelligence collection vessels operating solo.

While the situation in the Black Sea and Mediterranean has been evident for some time, the Russian Navy’s predicament has worsened considerably in recent months. The new pressure has been a concerted and coordinated international campaign to clamp down on Russian oil exports using dark fleet tankers. 

In March 2023, Lloyd’s List defined dark fleet tankers as being vessels “aged 15 years or over, anonymously owned and/or having a corporate structure designed to obfuscate beneficial ownership discovery, solely deployed in sanctioned oil trades, and engaged in one or more of the deceptive shipping practices outlined by US State Department guidance issued in May 2020.” Shipment of Russian oil by accurately registered tankers operated by established owners and agencies does not necessarily qualify a tanker for this dark fleet status, as such vessels can legitimately ship Russian oil purchased below the $60 per barrel price above which Russian oil is sanctioned. Nonetheless, over 700 tankers have been formally sanctioned by the US, UK and EU authorities, a dark fleet that Lloyd’s List estimates to be about 10% of global tanker tonnage.

Action to curb dark fleet tanker operations has been stepped up in recent months.

Denmark, without referencing dark fleet membership, has begun to challenge the insurance status of dark fleet tankers in the Skagen anchorage and the Øresund. Under the 1857 Treaty of Copenhagen, vessels have the right of innocent passage through the Danish Straits. But the Danish Maritime Authority is now asserting that it will board ships if it has information “that the safety or working conditions of the seafarers are not in compliance with international regulations including obligatory insurance requirements.” It justifies such action by the need to protect seafarers and the environment, especially in confined waterways where the consequences of an accident or oil spill incident could be horrendous. The United Kingdom is pursuing a similar approach in the English Channel, and sanctions vessels that fail to respond adequately to an average of 40 radio challenges for proof of insurance status made per month. In April, Estonia detained the Djibouti-registered tanker Kiwala (IMO 9332810, now the Malawi-registered Pushpa) off Tallinn while safety deficiencies were rectified, before allowing the tanker to continue on to the Russian port of Ust-Luga.

These actions are probing the right of innocent passage provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and their success or otherwise have still to be legally - and practically - proven. But Russia is heavily dependent on the sale of its oil to fund its war economy. This fiscal need is becoming ever more acute as signs of economic weakness emerge; for the first time since 2022, Russia’s quarterly GDP declined (by 0.6%) in 1Q25. So Russia has had to take steps to defend its economic interests and dark fleet earnings at sea.

In April, the Baltic Fleet carried out an exercise with 11 warships, a submarine and fighter aircraft, practicing drills to prevent the boarding of civilian vessels under escort. The Finnish Ministry of Defense reported in May that Russian naval vessels had begun to escort dark fleet tankers transiting the Gulf of Finland. The Russian Steregushchy Class corvette Boiky (F532) escorted the tankers Sierra (IMO 9522324) and Naxos (IMO 9336426) through the English Channel in late June. These and other such escort duties are in themselves a further drain on the availability of Russian naval vessels, and an additional overhead cost on the shipment of oil. But a further difficulty is that the presence of dark fleet tankers is worldwide, and Russian Navy cannot be everywhere at the same time. There are choke points across the globe through which the dark fleet needs to transit and where the Russian Navy would find it difficult to maintain an escort presence.

While the legality of interceptions is probed, the dark fleet also faces a more immediate threat. In late June, the tanker Vilamoura (IMO 9529293, registered in the Marshall Islands) was damaged by an explosion off Benghazi. The Vilamoura has within the last year been seen loading at two Russian oil terminals, Ust-Luga in the Baltic and Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. She is the fifth foreign-flagged oil tanker to be hit by explosions after visiting such Russian ports. These attacks, because they would weaken Russia economically and would mirror Russian attacks on Ukraine’s economic interests, might be considered legitimate by many in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

 As yet, there has been no major kinetic incident stemming from attempts to close down the activities of the dark fleet trading Russian - and also Iranian - oil. On the balance of probability, such an incident is likely to occur in the not too distant future, and the pressure is being felt most immediately by the stretched and struggling Russian Navy.

Canada’s Davie shipbuilding is buying a second, smaller shipyard in Finland as it looks to integrate its operations, focusing on Arctic projects, including large icebreakers. The Mantyluoto shipyard in Pori, Finland, will be integrated with the Helsinki Shipyard, which David acquired at the end of 2023.

The shipyard is being acquired from Finnish energy company Enersense at a cost of €7.5 million, with the acquisition expected to be completed by the end of September 2025. Enersense acquired the yard in 2021, highlighting its expertise in steel constructions for the Arctic. The yard had previously delivered the frame for the world’s first floating offshore wind turbine and built a pilot offshore wind power project for deployment in icy conditions. Known as Enersense Offshore, the company emphasized the opportunities in offshore wind development.

Media reports indicate the yard employs about 100 people. However, currently, the operations are furloughed.

“The Enersense Marine and Offshore Unit possesses unique expertise in steel production for the Arctic marine industry,” said Kim Salmi, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard. The companies emphasize by integrating operations, Helsinki Shipyard will become Finland’s only specialized shipbuilder with capacities ranging from design to final assembly. The plan calls for the Mantyluoto yard to focus on block production, which will be supplied to the yards in Helsinki and Canada.

Davie made the acquisitions in Finland, emphasizing the opportunities to tap the deep expertise in icebreakers as opportunities were emerging in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere. 

In March 2025, Davie entered into an agreement with the Canadian government to build a Polar Max vessel based on Aker Arctic’s original Aker ARC 148 hull form. The vessel, which will be 22,800 tonnes with a length of 138.5 meters, will be an icebreaker functioning as a research vessel and capable of performing oil spill response operations and emergency towing.

Block production for the first vessel will begin as soon as possible as soon as possible reports Helsinki Shipyard, with the first phase at Mantyluoto. The hull assembly and completion will be undertaken at the Helsinki Yard before the vessel transfers to Davie in Canada for final outfitting and commissioning.

Using this new model, Davie is strengthening its capabilities to build multiple special-purpose vessels simultaneously.  

Last month, Davie announced it would also acquire facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, from Gulf Cooper & Manufacturing. It will gain a shipbuilding capability in the United States as it looks to bid for future U.S. icebreaker projects. 
 

 

The Kerala State Government in India followed through on its earlier assertions and filed a compensation claim in the courts against MSC for damages as a result of the loss of the MSC Elsa 3 off the coast in late May. As part of the claim, the High Court ordered the MSC Akiteta II, which was in port in India, detained until the company can post a bond in the case.

The admiralty court case seeks damages, citing the impact on the economy, environment, and the livelihood of fishermen following the sinking of the ship. In addition to the direct costs, the state claims a loss of confidence, which will have a long-term impact on business. 

The total claim is for $1.1 billion, with the bulk, $1 billion, for damages as a result of pollution. It is also seeking $44 million to restore the environment and a further $61.3 million in economic loss for the fishing community.

While there has been a minimal release of oil that was stopped by divers who capped the tanks, media reports cite a range of impacts. A total of 61 containers have been retrieved from the 643 that were aboard the ship when it went down. The Directorate General of Shipping reported that as of the beginning of July, an estimated 450 to 500 tonnes of nurdles have been collected from the shoreline. Volunteers continue to comb the beaches.

The media also reports that six large carcasses have been retrieved, including a dolphin and a whale. They are suspected of having died due to exposure to the microplastics or other toxic substances from the vessel.

MSC Akiteta II (30,592 dwt) happened to be the vessel in the Vizhinjam port when the case was filed. Built in 2001 and with a capacity of 2,226 TEU, it is slightly larger than the MSC Elsa 3 (1,730 TEU). The court ruled it was acceptable collateral and that it would be held pending MSC posting a bond. The court has permitted the vessel to continue to load and unload containers, but it is not permitted to depart. A hearing was scheduled for July 10.

The court followed a similar pattern with some of the individual claims that have already been filed. Other MSC vessels were detained until bonds were posted.

The case was filed while the investigation into possible safety lapses is ongoing. Previously, the Indian authorities contended the containers were improperly handled and secured. The media writes that an interim report has been sent to the Directorate General of Shipping, but it is still pending information from the VDR. The equipment was retrieved last month by divers and was taken ashore to be analyzed. The captain and crew of the ship remain in Kochi facing charges from the local police related to negligence in handling of the vessel and the dangerous cargo aboard.

Clean-up efforts for the vessel are also stalled pending a change in salvage companies. After the first phase was completed, which included capping the oil leaks, MSC elected to change salvage companies for the next phase. SMIT has filed a new plan with the government and reports that its equipment and divers will be arriving in India later this month. Weather permitting, they hope to begin diving on the wreck in August, and the plan calls for siphoning the fuel from the vessel’s tanks.