Maritime Industry Briefing: G2 Ocean Fleet Expansion and BlueTIDE 2026 Technology Event

## G2 Ocean Presses Ahead with Major Fleet Renewal Norwegian open hatch specialist G2 Ocean is advancing a significant fleet renewal programme, with six new gantry crane vessels set to join its pool fleet from 2029, according to Splash247. The Bergen-headquartered joint venture — formed between Gearbulk and Grieg Maritime Group — confirmed the six newbuildings will be sourced from Grieg and Seaspan, reinforcing the company's position as a dominant force in the global open hatch segment. The additions represent a forward-looking commitment to modern, capable tonnage at a time when fleet age and environmental compliance are increasingly central to shipper requirements. Open hatch vessels, distinguished by their wide cargo openings and onboard gantry cranes, are purpose-built for the carriage of forest products, project cargo, and other unitised goods that require flexible, damage-sensitive handling. G2 Ocean operates one of the world's largest dedicated open hatch fleets, and the newbuild programme signals confidence in long-term demand for this specialised service. The vessels are not expected to enter service until 2029, reflecting the extended lead times currently characteristic of the global shipbuilding market, where yard capacity remains constrained across multiple vessel segments. --- ## BlueTIDE 2026 Applications Close May 28 Innovators and maritime technology developers have until 28 May to submit applications for BlueTIDE 2026, a premier in-water technology demonstration event scheduled for 27 August 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island. Polaris Tech Bridge — formerly known as 401 Tech Bridge — is organising the event, which provides a platform for emerging maritime technologies to be showcased in a live, operational environment. According to a PR Newswire release, the event targets innovators seeking to demonstrate solutions relevant to the maritime and defence sectors. Newport's established maritime heritage and proximity to key US naval infrastructure make it a fitting venue for an event focused on cutting-edge technology validation. BlueTIDE-style demonstration events play an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between technology developers and end-users in the maritime sector, where proving performance in real-world conditions is often a prerequisite for adoption. Interested parties are urged to submit applications before the 28 May deadline via the Polaris Tech Bridge platform. --- *Sources: Splash247, PR Newswire*