Makai News
Check back here for the latest News from Makai Ocean Engineering.
RAMP Takes a Major Leap Forward with Successful Offshore Test
November, 2024
Makai has reached an exciting milestone with the successful offshore testing of our Remote Anchoring Micro Piler (RAMP) system. The prototype has been put through its paces in real-world conditions, where we successfully validated its ability to install micropiles and confirmed the pull strength of the anchorage. This offshore test is a critical step in proving the system’s reliability and effectiveness, moving us closer to commercializing RAMP for anchoring a wide variety of offshore infrastructure.
Additionally, in partnership with North Carolina State University, we recently published a study that addresses the performance of micropiles in softer seabeds, like sand.
Anacortes WWTP Outfall Pipeline Installed with Makai’s Support
November, 2024
Makai supported the successful installation of a 42-inch diameter, 1,075-foot-long outfall pipeline for the Anacortes Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) project. Our role included supporting the development of the installation method and performing a detailed deployment and submergence analysis to ensure the operation was both safe and efficient.
This project is another example of Makai’s expertise in complex pipeline installations, contributing to a smooth and reliable outcome.
Makai Awarded $45M Navy IDIQ Contract for Advanced Ocean Technology Program
September, 2024
Makai has been selected as one of only two small businesses awarded a $45 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the Advanced Ocean Technology Program (AOTP) at the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC). This contract positions Makai to support the Navy with cutting-edge ocean engineering and naval architecture solutions for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of fixed and towed ocean systems.
This award also reflects the continued success of Makai’s Ventura, California office, which has built a strong reputation through our work on the “Oceans Multiple Award Contract (OMAC-3)” IDIQ from 2018. We are excited to carry this momentum forward and look forward to contributing to the success of the AOTP.
Innovative Artificial Reef Prototypes Prepare for Deployment
September, 2024
Makai is excited to announce that serial production of full-scale prototypes of reef-mimicking structures is under way, marking a major milestone in the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) project. Makai is supporting the University of Hawaii in this DARPA funded project, these structures are designed to protect coastlines from erosion while fostering coral growth and marine biodiversity.
This project comes at a critical time for ocean health, as climate change accelerates coastal erosion and threatens reef ecosystems worldwide. By mimicking the natural form and function of coral reefs, these innovative structures aim to not only protect vulnerable shorelines but also provide a refuge for marine life. With the prototypes well underway, Makai will lead the installation early next year, moving one step closer to a solution that could offer lasting benefits for the health of our oceans and coastal communities.
A Step Towards Standardizing Submarine Power Cable Installations: An End-to-End Software Approach
September, 2024
In our latest article, we discuss how advanced software tools, such as MakaiPlan and MakaiLay, are transforming submarine power cable installations. By improving real-time monitoring, offering in-office simulations, and automating analysis processes like batch heave, these tools provide a standardized approach to reducing risks and ensuring higher quality control—especially in deepwater and dynamic sea conditions.
Makai Recognized as One of Hawaii’s Best Workplaces – Again!
May, 2024
Makai has been named one of Hawaii’s Best Workplaces by Pacific Business News for the third consecutive year! This recognition reflects the strong culture of collaboration, creativity, and growth that our team has worked hard to build. A big mahalo goes out to our employees for creating such a great environment at Makai. We’re grateful for this acknowledgment and will continue striving to make Makai a place where innovation thrives and employees feel valued every day.
Makai Ocean Engineering Partners with Shell to Revolutionize Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
November, 2023
Shell Technology’s Marine Renewable Program (Shell MRE) has joined forces with Makai Ocean Engineering (Makai) in a collaborative effort to enhance Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). Under the partnership, Shell MRE has enlisted Makai’s expertise to de-risk and advance the technology behind a few critical components of their OTEC design. Makai has been at the forefront of OTEC research since its involvement in the development of the first net-power producing OTEC plant back in 1979.
Cable Routing and Power Interconnection – Tools to Solve the Bottleneck
September, 2023
Makai Ocean Engineering (Makai) has developed a new prototype GIS-based software for offshore and onshore renewable energy power interconnection and planning; with sights sets on providing the tools needed to better solve this interconnection planning bottleneck. The Makai team, in collaboration with Telos Energy, is developing the software MakaiPlan Digital Twins for Grids (MakaiDTG), with the goal to provide a much neeeded integrated approach.
Makai Awarded One of Hawaii’s Best Workplaces 2 Years Running!
May, 2023
We’re incredibly honored to announce that Makai Ocean Engineering has been recognized as one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for both 2022 and 2023 by Pacific Business News (PBN). This distinction reaffirms our commitment to fostering a dynamic, engaging, and supportive workplace. Our team is our strength, and we’re proud that our efforts have been acknowledged in this way. Here’s to continuing to create a work environment that inspires innovation and excellence!
Makai Plays Role in Sustaining California's Water Supply
May, 2023
With California’s droughts causing water levels to dip, there was an urgent need for a new intake pipeline that could adapt to these changes. Rising to the challenge, our team designed an HDPE pipeline, connecting the new pump station with the existing intake tower. As of December 2022, we’re proud to report that the pipeline is fully operational.
Makai Continues to Elevate Subsea Cable Planning with Automatic Route Generation
May, 2023
Our Automatic Route Generator (ARG) tool, a standout in subsea cable planning, continues to mature, backed by follow-on funding from an SBIR project. The next leap forward? Extending automatic optimization to encompass branch and trunk networks.
Advancing Solar Power Technologies with U.S. DOE Funding
May, 2023
Makai has been selected for the Solar Manufacturing Incubator Funding Program by the U.S. Department of Energy. This significant funding will catalyze our mission to create a cost-efficient primary heat exchanger for Generation 3 Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (Gen3 CSP) systems.
Makai Part of $25M Artificial Reef Project Led by University of Hawaii
August, 2022
The team will develop and deploy reef structures that mimic the formation of natural fringing reef. The system will be installed on the coast of Oahu, led by Makai with support from other local Hawaii marine contractors. The project will run for 5 years with a phased installation.
E-marine PJSC Commissions MakaiLay Across Their Installation and Repair Fleet
July, 2022
With E-marine PJSC‘s Commission of MakaiLay across their installation and repair fleet, MakaiLay is now being used by over 90% of the global fiber-optic cable laying fleet!
Makai Selected as one of Hawaii’s Best Workplaces
May, 2022
Pacific Business News has selected Makai as one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for 2022.
Large Diameter Structured Pipeline Installation Support
March, 2022
In 2021 Makai took on the challenge of designing a safe deployment method for the very large diameter structured pipelines (2.9 m intake and 2.8 m outfall) of the Al-Jubail SWRO Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia. These pipelines supply and discharge seawater to and from the world’s largest desalination plant and are the largest pipelines that Makai has helped install.

Makai’s Subsea Micropiling Technology Selected for ARPA-E Research and Development Project
February, 2022
The Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) announced that Makai was awarded a research and development project for advanced anchoring and mooring methods. This project focusses on advancing the technology that Makai calls the Remote Anchoring and Micropiling (RAMP) system, for use in marine renewables, with a focus on floating offshore wind.
The Century-Old Renewable You’ve Never Heard Of
January, 2022
American Geophysical Union, put together an article in EOS Science News covering the history and current state of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). Makai has been a pioneer of OTEC and related technologies for decades, and we are dedicated to its advancement and eventual commercial adoption.
Automatic Route Generation And Cable Network Optimization For Offshore Windfarms
September, 2021
Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. (Makai) has developed a software tool that brings advanced automation and cost savings for subsea terrain-based optimization problems. While this software can be used for a number of terrain based optimization problems, the initial purpose of its development was for automatic subsea cable route engineering. This tool is ideally suited for offshore renewable energy projects such as windfarms due to their complex inter array cable and export cable networks.
Makai Submarine Cable Software Suite Description in UT2 Magazine
April, 2021
Makai’s software suite is suited for various stages of the submarine cable lifecycle. MakaiPlan is used for calculating the optimal cable route across the seabed.
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Upcoming Events
Makai will be attending the following events. If you are attending these, please be sure to reach out to schedule a time to meet while at the event.
Defense TechConnect
Austin, TX
December 3-5, 2024
HTDC Holiday Tech Job Fair
Honolulu, HI
December 21, 2024
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