June 2026

WorkBoat June 2026 — Volume 83, Edition 06

It’s that time of year again. WorkBoat returns once more with its annual Yearbook edition, mapping the past 12 months across the sectors that define this industry: shipyards, inland waterways, passenger vessels, offshore energy and defense. This month we also dig into the key drivers and trends fueling the Jones Act financial market, a billionaire-backed plan to build the world’s largest shipyard in California, and how pricing volatility is shaping a towboat construction market with plenty of pent-up demand. Plus a one-on-one Final Word with Glosten CEO Morgan Fanberg, the latest vessel deliveries from On the Ways, and an At a Glance look at the issues shaping daily operations on the water.

In This Issue

Features

• Page 16 — Focus: What’s the Deal? — Key drivers and trends in the Jones Act financial market.
• Page 18 — Focus: California Scheming — Tech titans deploy to build the world’s largest shipyard.
• Page 22 — Cover Story: Yearbook — Updates on the key workboat sectors: shipyards, inland waterways, passenger vessels, offshore energy and defense.
• Page 34 — Vessel Report: Deferred Demand — High prices limit towboat construction, but the boats are needed.
• Page 38 — In Business: Action Intel — How river insights can help optimize productivity.
• Page 40 — Final Word: Morgan Fanberg — One-on-one with Glosten’s chief executive officer.

On the Ways

• Vulcan Materials christens new pushboat
• Silver Ships delivers survey boat to the Port of Long Beach
• Everglades pilots sea-trial Disruptor Marine boat
• Mavrik delivers whale-watching boat to FRC Clipper
• Keel laid for first of four hybrid escort tugs
• Senesco Marine launches diesel-electric hybrid ferry
• Massachusetts State Police accept patrol boat from Metal Shark
• Silverback Marine launches OX-series truckable tug
• Ingalls Shipbuilding awarded FF(X)-class frigate Navy contract

At a Glance

• Page 4 — Inland Insider — River barges enjoy a brisk 2025.
• Page 4 — On the Water — A battery of advantages.
• Page 5 — Credentialing Insight — Back in action.
• Page 5 — All Hands — High schools undervalue maritime careers.
• Page 6 — Legal Talk — Who is liable if something goes wrong during bunkering?
• Page 6 — Health, Safety, and Environment — Expanding the environmental aspects of your business.

On the Cover: Towboats navigate icy conditions on the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh. Credit: Michel Sauret / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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