News – Six Maritime

Reindustrialization at Risk Part III — The Reform Case: What Congress and DoD Must Do Next

December 23, 2025

If the first part of the problem is acknowledging that our security architecture at private naval shipyards is outdated, the second part is far harder: deciding what to do about it. The 2025 National Security Strategy leaves no doubt that the United States is entering an era where the cost of inaction will exceed the cost of reform. For Congress, DoD, NAVSEA, and DHS, the question is no longer whether to modernize shipyard security, it’s how quickly they can do it. For years, the country has been lulled into believing that domestic industrial infrastructure is insulated from the levels of risk seen abroad. That illusion was shattered by a combination of adversary

Reindustrialization at Risk Part II — A System Built on Assumptions

December 15, 2025

For nearly two decades, American shipyards have operated under a quiet but dangerous assumption: that the security standards written in the aftermath of 9/11 somehow remained fit for a modern threat environment defined by unmanned systems, AI-enabled reconnaissance, cyber-surveillance, and increasingly sophisticated nation-state competitors. It was a comforting assumption, and an incorrect one. The 2025 National Security Strategy does not state this outright, but it doesn’t have to. Its language is clear: the maritime industrial base is now a strategic target, and our adversaries view the seams in our domestic infrastructure as opportunities, not obstacles. Washington hardly needed to remind anyone who works inside a naval shipyard; the evidence has been mounting

Reindustrialization at Risk PART I: Shipyards and Ports under the 2025 National Security Strategy

December 11, 2025

The White House’s 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) is blunt about the stakes for the United States. America’s economic strength, industrial resilience, and national security are now understood as inseparable. The document repeatedly emphasizes reindustrialization, supply-chain independence, and revitalizing the defense industrial base as top national imperatives. According to the NSS, “the future belongs to makers,” and rebuilding domestic manufacturing is essential to deterring conflict, maintaining naval superiority, and safeguarding American prosperity. But as the conversation in Washington gravitates toward tariffs, reshoring, industrial incentives, chip production, and supply chain mapping, one critical reality is consistently overlooked: The entire national reindustrialization effort sits on top of an undersecured maritime foundation. Every ship, submarine, autonomous platform, munition, and

THE NEW SURFACE THREAT: WHAT THE KAIROS AND VIRAT ATTACKS SIGNAL FOR THE FUTURE OF PORT SECURITY — AND WHO WILL LEAD IT

December 4, 2025

There are moments in maritime security when the world offers a rare glimpse of where the next decade is headed. The recent attacks on the MT Kairos and MT Virat in the Black Sea were exactly that. The videos that spread across OSINT feeds and defense channels weren’t remarkable because they were shocking, they were remarkable because they were predictable. Unmanned surface vehicles, once little more than remote-controlled novelties, have matured into stable, fast, low-profile attack platforms with enough precision to hit a vulnerable point on a tanker traveling at speed. What the world saw play out on those videos was not an anomaly. It was the future asserting itself.

Integrating Autonomy and Expertise: The Next Phase of Maritime Security

October 6, 2025

Naval innovation is accelerating at a pace not seen in decades. Between the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology Board reshaping research investments and the Navy unveiling visions of modular, uncrewed surface attack craft, one thing is clear: the fleet of tomorrow will be vastly different from the fleet of today. Yet amid all the excitement around new hull forms, autonomy, and artificial intelligence, a critical truth risks being overlooked: hardware alone does not secure harbors, deter adversaries, or reassure allies. Success in this new era requires integration, the careful pairing of human expertise with autonomous platforms, operationally proven sensors, and rigorous compliance with maritime security standards. This is

Setting the Gold Standard for the Future of Maritime Security

September 25, 2025

The Waterfront Is Changing The American waterfront is never still. Shipyards hum with maintenance activity, ports move cargo around the clock, and security vessels patrol the channels to keep commerce and defense assets safe. But the threats facing our nation’s maritime industrial base are evolving faster than many realize. Small craft with malicious intent, unmanned vehicles probing defenses, and cyber-physical risks that once seemed far-off are now present concerns.Against this backdrop, one truth has become clear: yesterday’s security models are not enough for tomorrow’s challenges. The Human-AI Edge At Six Maritime, we believe the answer is not to replace human expertise with machines, but to pair seasoned professionals with the

Beyond the Hype: Real-World Testing and the Future of Maritime Autonomy

September 19, 2025

Six Maritime patrol craft securing a U.S. Navy vessel (left) contrasted with a futuristic unmanned surface vessel concept (right). The image reflects the balance between proven operational experience and the promise of emerging autonomy. The September 2025 Proceedings article, The Emperor’s New Vessels: A Call for Realism in Maritime Autonomy by Bo Jardine, strikes a chord with anyone who has spent time on the water. It is a warning that resonates across our industry: hype alone does not keep ships safe, nor does it defend coastlines or ensure readiness. The metaphor, as used by Jardine in his article, alludes to Andersen’s fable The Emperor’s New Clothes, a timeless caution against

Post-Strike Reality: Renewed Focus on Maritime and Critical Infrastructure Security

June 25, 2025

In the wake of the recent U.S. strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the conversation around national security can no longer remain theoretical. The geopolitical reverberations are already unfolding, and with them, the very real risk of retaliation. Now more than ever, we must take the defense of our critical infrastructure and national defense assets. Historically, the United States has enjoyed a certain insulation from conflict due to geography. With friendly neighbors to the north and south and vast oceans on either side, we’ve often viewed threats as distant concerns. This is not the case for much of the world. In Europe, the memory of the Iron Curtain and the ever-present

Rethinking Mahan in the Age of Autonomy: Sea Power, Trade, and the Future of American Maritime Strength

May 7, 2025

For decades, Alfred Thayer Mahan has been simplistically remembered as the prophet of battleship supremacy—an advocate of grand fleets and decisive naval engagements. But thanks to historian Nicholas A. Lambert’s The Neptune Factor, a more nuanced and deeply relevant interpretation is resurfacing. As America grapples with great power competition and the transformative impact of autonomous technologies, revisiting Mahan’s original ideas may offer both strategic clarity and inspiration for action. Beyond the Battle Line: What Mahan Really Meant In The Neptune Factor, Lambert dismantles the long-held myth that Mahan’s theory of sea power was obsessed with fleet-on-fleet combat. Instead, he paints a richer portrait of Mahan as both a serious naval

The Role of Private Security in Protecting U.S. Naval Vessels

April 5, 2025

How Private Security Teams Safeguard Naval Assets in Shipyards and at Sea Protecting U.S. naval vessels is a mission that extends beyond the Navy itself. While military personnel provide security for ships in active duty, private security teams play a critical role in protecting these high-value assets while in shipyards, during transit, and at key events. With increasing threats—ranging from espionage and sabotage to unauthorized access and terrorist activities—the Navy relies on specialized private security providers to reinforce its force protection strategy. These teams bring expertise, agility, and advanced technology to secure naval vessels at every stage of their lifecycle. Why Private Security is Essential for Naval Protection Naval vessels,

Returning from Ebb Tide: A New Era for U.S. Maritime Power — Six Maritime’s Role in the Revival

March 26, 2025

The history of the United States’ commercial maritime industry has always been intertwined with the nation’s global power and security. Yet, as the 21st century unfolded, the industry saw a steady decline, leaving a critical gap in the U.S. maritime enterprise — one that Returning from Ebb Tide: Renewing the United States Commercial Maritime Enterprise seeks to address. Edited by Dr. Steven Wills, the book brings to light the complexities of this decline and advocates for a renewal that is not just about economic recovery but also about enhancing national security, strengthening defense capabilities, and ultimately regaining a competitive edge on the world stage. For Six Maritime, a company rooted

Understanding NAVSEA 009-72: Waterborne Security Compliance Explained

March 8, 2025

Why NAVSEA 009-72 Compliance is Critical for Shipyard Security When it comes to naval shipyard security, adherence to NAVSEA 009-72 is non-negotiable. This U.S. Navy directive outlines the strict requirements for security operations in shipyards where naval vessels undergo maintenance, repair, or construction. For private shipyards, security providers, and contractors working with the Navy, understanding and implementing NAVSEA 009-72 is not just about compliance—it’s about safeguarding national defense assets. What is NAVSEA 009-72? NAVSEA 009-72, formally titled Physical Security at Private Shipyards for the Accomplishment of Work on Surface Ships and Submarines, is a critical U.S. Navy instruction that governs force protection measures for shipyard operations. It ensures that naval vessels