Events

These days of political unrest mean directly facing another set of challenges: how innovation meets the new realities of warfare. This isn’t just a matter for the UK’s military, but its industry and academic partners too. In fact, the recurring theme of the latest UK Naval Engineering Science & Technology (UKNEST) event made clear that difficult but necessary conversations are on the cards.

So, what is the issue? “Current procurement processes are risk-averse,” says UKNEST’s Science & Technology Working Group co-chair, Jake Rigby. He outlines how the speakers at the organisation’s Advanced Materials conference shared a clear message: this approach to risk can slow, or derail, the acceptance and integration of new technologies and materials at a moment when we may not be able to afford that luxury.

For example, Robin Oakley, principal materials and corrosion engineer at QinetiQ, asks of the many potential developments he’s seen over three decades: why is it that so many haven’t made good on their promise? You can have “brilliant new materials, lots of amazing benefits”, he says. But the inevitable question that follows is: “Are you sure you’re not bringing any new risks to our established design space?”

Submarine developments highlight all these risk concerns and add another dimension. “As we push the boundaries in terms of engineering scope and what’s expected from the actual ship or the boat, material, physical and mechanical properties are being pushed as well,” says Ben Turner, Copper Alloys MD. “With shock loads increasing with each class, we are finding traditional materials are simply not strong enough.” Therefore, Copper Alloys’ part in a case study on doubling the life of the Royal Navy’s Dreadnought-class submarine has focused on an alternative metal. Turner explains: “Just to give you an idea, on one of those boats there might be millions of components.” Problematically, the current offerings don’t necessarily last particularly long in situ. Turner adds: “You’d be surprised how much has to be replaced just to give [the submarine] an extra 10 or 15 years in the sea.”

Look closer, and the number of metals found in these parts is surprisingly low. That’s not because better alternatives can’t be found; it’s because the lists of ‘acceptable’ materials can be years or even decades out of date, claims Turner, adding: “Really, there are just five to 10 metals underpinning all of that complexity. If you could improve on just one of these [affordable, primarily copper-based alloys], you could indirectly improve the lifespan of tens of thousands of components.”

This is where a tougher material that can be manufactured at a reasonable cost, and to timeframes and at scale, comes in. CNC-1 (CuNi30Cr2) is a copper-nickel-chromium alloy in a wrought form, which quadruples the strength of the cast material. Combined with advances in machining capability, it has enabled the production of parts for an equivalent or lower cost than casting structures.

So, while CNC-1 can’t compete with the strength of nickel-based super alloys or super duplex stainless steel, it’s still the toughest of all the copper alloys, retaining electrochemical compatibility with onboard systems and resistance to biofouling. Plus, the expected lifespan of wetted parts is over 50 years.

Despite these benefits, there is no guarantee that CNC-1 will be adopted and used. “Design engineers have to work from a range of alloys that the organisation says is acceptable,” says Turner. “It’s like a straitjacket…this becomes the limiting factor.” Turner adds that it might be high time the sector begins “designing alloys around the engineering requirements instead of engineering requirements around the alloys”.

Even joining materials can be tangled in the web of risk-averse processes. “A lot of fabrication is actually done using arc welding because it’s tried and tested,” comments Robert Scudamore, former associate director of The Welding Institute. That’s despite the potential drawbacks of multiple passes, such as thermal stresses and distortions, and despite the availability of other alternatives.

However, Scudamore hopes that a crossover from friction stir welding (FSW) could make a difference. Initially developed for aluminium, FSW doesn’t melt the material itself, says Scudamore: “You have a pin plunged into the material and it stirs the joint together” – resulting in a thermo-mechanically forged join. Users are now beginning to adapt FSW for more challenging materials: “What we’re trying to do now is progress into steel,” Scudamore adds.

While FSW requires a very hard ‘pin’ and more robust equipment, there are advantages. Take plate strengthening, where the usual approach means adding molten metal into an angle. This requires multiple passes, which create a large heat-affected zone with potential for cracking. Neither are the resulting thick welds particularly easy to inspect. By contrast, the FSW method uses rolled T-sections with a symmetrical, one-shot butt weld and an extremely reduced heat zone. The result is higher-strength joins, increased consistency and reduced distortion. Moreover, Scudamore notes that the tensile strength of the joint is typically 25% higher than that of the parent material.

Updated guidance on tackling ‘non-traditional’ fires, including those involving batteries and alternative fuels, take prominence in the British Tugowners Association’s (BTA’s) recently published Use of Tugs in Firefighting e-doc, which offers industry-standard guidance for tug operators.

“In 2023, over 200 shipboard fires were reported globally, highlighting the urgent need for effective firefighting protocols,” the BTA says. “Additionally, with the growing prevalence of alternatively fuelled vessels, such as those powered by lithium-ion batteries, methanol and ammonia, the guide addresses a critical gap in practical marine firefighting procedures.”

The UK-specific guide (drawn up to comply with SOLAS and Merchant Shipping Act requirements) was developed with input from Lloyd’s Register, UK Harbour Masters, Hampshire Fire & Rescue, REACT Emergency Response, Artemas Academy and Multraship Towage and Salvage, among others. Additionally, Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) and Shipowners P&I contributed to the document. The contents include up-to-date information on areas such as: the legal obligation to assist persons in distress (as outlined in the abovementioned SOLAS/MSA requirements); the importance of conducting regular firefighting drills; and the different categories of FiFi-rated vessel, plus the equipment, monitor types and discharge rates required for each.

The guide notes: “As of May 2025, according to Clarkson’s World Fleet Register, 2,224 vessels in the global fleet [2%] were alternative-fuel-capable.” This is in addition to “an orderbook of 1,991 vessels, representing 52% of the tonnage in the global orderbook”. As such, the techniques traditionally employed to combat hydrocarbon-based fires may prove obsolete when up against alt-fuels like battery packs, LNG, LPG, methanol, ethanol, HVO/FAME, ammonia, hydrogen and even nuclear energy.

For example, the guide explains, while a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery can store significant amounts of energy, it can be highly dangerous if it overheats and enters a state of thermal runaway, where it keeps producing more heat in a chain reaction. While Li-ion batteries are usually safe, problems occur if the battery becomes damaged, either due to physical impact, overcharging, extreme heat or issues with the battery’s control system.

“Thermal runaway generates large volumes of flammable gases that can catch fire very quickly and may also cause a vapour cloud explosion,” the guide warns. “Gases of a Li-ion battery fire are extremely white and should not be confused with a steam cloud.” When thermal runaway occurs, the battery can reach temperatures exceeding 1,600°C and violently release toxic gases, flames and pieces of the battery itself. This can spread to nearby batteries or flammable materials, rapidly making the fire more intense. The toxic gases form a vapour cloud that can easily explode if it builds up in a confined space without proper venting.

“Lithium-ion battery fires are extremely difficult to extinguish and boundary cooling of the affected area or vessel until the fire burns itself out is often the best course of action,” the guide advises. “The use of fixed firefighting systems on board and water jets for boundary cooling is the most effective known method for control.”

The guide recommends that tugs called in to assist casualty vessels in the event of a Li-ion battery fire consider three factors. Firstly, the internal location of the fire: “due to the intense heat, it is possible there will be structural damage or hull integrity compromised, which could be exasperated through thermal shocking from boundary cooling water”, the guide notes. Secondly, vapour cloud venting: “the assisting vessel should remain upwind, and where possible on the weather side, of the area where the vapour cloud is being vented due to the potential toxic gases and toxic soot”, the guide explains. Thirdly: “the assisting vessel should remain a safe distance from the casualty vessel due to the explosion risk from the vapour cloud”.

Li-ion battery fires are tricky because they can restart days after they seem to have been put out, due to leftover chemical energy in the battery. This means water needs to be applied for a considerable period, though too much water could affect a burning ship’s stability. The water used to fight these fires can also become polluted with toxic metals, which can harm the environment and people’s health, so protective gear is essential for anyone involved in its containment.

Liquid ammonia, meanwhile, is toxic when inhaled: high concentrations of ammonia vapour can cause immediate irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system, and prolonged exposure can lead to death.

“A liquid ammonia leak or spill requires a larger exclusion zone than LNG or LPG due to ammonia’s high relative density, which causes the ammonia vapour cloud to sink and pool on the deck or water surface,” the guide says. “It is more persistent and takes longer to dissipate compared to LNG or LPG, requiring larger exclusion zones.”

The most effective way to extinguish ammonia fires, the guide recommends, is “applying water via water spray”. However, crew should be aware that “applying large quantities of water to an ammonia liquid pool will increase the evaporation rate, making the fire larger”. The guide continues: “Water spray on ammonia vapour should be applied with caution, as it may result in the formation of ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive by-product. Recondensing ammonia vapour, in certain scenarios, can reduce the intensity of the release but must be carefully managed to avoid further liquid release.”

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I can’t remember the first time I covered the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association’s (WFSA’s) international student design contest for a safe, affordable domestic ferry, but our report on the 12th instalment of the competition in the June 2025 issue of The Naval Architect reminds me of the many winners that the dearly departed Ship & Boat International profiled over the past seven to eight years – to the point that the contest became an annual fixture of SBI‘s Ferries reports. 

So, this year’s contest – the first to appear in The Naval Architect, in what I hope will become as regular a feature – saw Team Black Pearl of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology wow the WFSA judges with its design for a 200-pax aluminium catamaran, Naija Spirit, devised as a safe, affordable and eco-friendly ferry for the waterways of Lagos…and perhaps for other countries, including the team’s native Bangladesh. 

It’s a shame we don’t have the space to feature the runner-up teams too; one could dedicate the best part of an issue to profiling most of the contest entrants’ original and innovative designs. What’s for sure: the WFSA’s annual contests demonstrate that skilled naval architecture is far from at risk of extinction. Anyone concerned about its future should follow these events closely: there’s no shortage of talent out there, and the WFSA deserves the utmost respect for encouraging students to get to grips with the processes of ferry design, from determining weight distribution, depth clearance and construction overheads, to assessing evacuation plans and financial/operational viability. Don’t miss the June issue for an in-depth interview with Team Black Pearl leader Md. Safayet Hossain Shishir, and a comprehensive overview of the winning design – published soon.

MPC Container Ships reports that it has installed Berg Propulsion’s green-fuel technology aboard its 150m, dual-fuel sister vessels NCL Nordland and NCL Vestland. As part of the contract, Berg also acted as “co-designer” for each ship’s engine room layout and propeller arrangement, comments Mattias Hansson, senior global sales manager at Berg.

Built this year by China’s Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering, NCL Nordland and NCL Vestland feature a 28.6m beam, a draught of 9.9m and 380 reefer plugs apiece. The vessels have been placed under a 15-year charter to North Sea Container Line (NCL), which will utilise them on a route linking Norway and Rotterdam.

Mattias Dombrowe, business manager for electric system integration at Berg, explains: “The hybridised set-up optimises energy use from gensets, the shaft alternator and 250kWh battery for load balancing during thruster or other peak loads, also accommodating the shore connector for zero emissions when the vessels are in port.” Both 1,300teu vessels can operate on methanol and/or MGO, and come equipped with Berg’s MPP 1410 controllable-pitch props and MTT bow and stern thrusters. Berg estimates that these propulsive systems could slash energy consumption per teu “by 63% per nautical mile compared to their predecessors”.

NCL has also signed a contract with Equinor to bunker bio-methanol, “initially running on a 5% blend, but increasing bio-methanol content over time to support carbon-neutral operations as the supply chain matures”, Berg says.

The UK Government is to build up to a dozen new attack submarines as part of the AUKUS programme, in response to “rapidly increasing threats”. The decision means that the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded.

In a statement, the government said: “The increase in submarines will transform the UK’s submarine-building industry…and deliver on the Plan for Change, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs up and down the country well into the 2030s, as well as helping to deliver 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next 10 years.”

Currently, the UK is set to operate seven Astute-class attack submarines, which will be replaced with an increased fleet of up to 12 SSN-AUKUS submarines from the late 2030s.

The boost to the SSN-AUKUS programme will see a major expansion of industrial capability at Barrow and Raynesway, Derby, with the build of a new submarine every 18 months in the future. To ensure the demands of this expanded programme can be met, government is working closely with industry partners to rapidly expand training and development opportunities, aiming to double defence and civil nuclear apprentice and graduate intakes.

The announcement came as the government prepared to unveil its Strategic Defence Review (SDR), an externally led review expected to recommend that the UK’s armed forces move to warfighting readiness to deter growing threats. Defence secretary John Healey MP said: “We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression. With new submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.” The SDR also calls for significant investment into the UK sovereign warhead programme this parliament, while maintaining the existing stockpile.

As cruise ships grow in size and complexity, digitalizing onboard systems becomes increasingly critical – not only to improve operational efficiency and safety, but also to enhance the working environment for crews navigating these advanced ships at sea.

With the first delivery of its SeaQ Bridge system aboard the cruise vessel Mein Schiff Relax, built by Fincantieri, the subsidiary Vard Electro introduces a fully digitalized and ergonomically optimized solution that sets a new benchmark in bridge design and shipboard operations within the cruise industry. The group’s highest level of bridge integration is a bridge solution with an extended architecture, utilizing a combination of integrated solutions, combined with touch monitors to gather various systems into one operator station.

The project is the result of a close collaboration between shipowner, shipbuilder, technology supplier, navigational officers and the crew, ensuring a seamless integration of design, construction and system implementation tailored for the needs of a modern cruise vessel.

Type-approved design and custom function testing

The SeaQ Bridge is type-approved by DNV, one of the world’s leading classification societies, ensuring compliance with the highest maritime standards. For each project, a separate test is conducted in collaboration with class and ship owners, ensuring that the system meets specific operational requirements. The process has started to have approval in RINA as well.

Expandable integrated applications

What sets the SeaQ bridge as benchmark is its integration of key shipboard systems, including also third-party solutions, into a centralized human-machine-interface (HMI), operable via touchscreens featuring intuitive apps and drag-and-drop functionality.

This setup allows operators to configure personalized layouts, granting immediate access to critical functions. Importantly, the number and arrangement of screens on the bridge are now determined by customer requirements, rather than system limitations, offering a tailored solution that aligns with specific operational needs.

Designed for scalability, the SeaQ Bridge integrates additional applications – such as intercom directories and alarm management – and supports the development of new functionalities as operational needs evolve, while also allowing existing systems to expand.

Extended integration across the ship

The SeaQ Bridge system extends its advanced capabilities to the Safety Command Centre, featuring a large video wall composed of 55-inch multi-displays, each capable of four-way splits, providing operators with a complete overview of critical systems. Dedicated workstations ensure each operator access to essential controls and information.

This integrated SeaQ approach supports coordinated action and faster decision-making across the ship. The same concept is applicable to the Engine Control Room (ECR). All relevant systems from the traditional ECR are now integrated into a common interface. This redundant solution offers user-driven flexibility without compromising system reliability.

In every aspect, this installation demonstrates how digitalization, collaboration, and smart design can transform cruise ship automation and navigation systems. With Mein Schiff Relax, Vard Electro, TUI Cruises, and Fincantieri have created a solution that sets a new standard for future cruise ships.

Also, SeaQ contributes to Fincantieri’s strategy to evolve from Physical vessel design authority to Digital vessel design authority, strengthening its leadership position in technological innovation applied to shipbuilding and to the whole shipping industry.

Zero USV has launched the extra-long-range (XLR) version of its Oceanus12 USV, which is intended to ramp up the 20 days/2,500nm endurance of the original Oceanus12 to 60+ days/7,500nm+.

Zero USV says: “[The XLR Oceanus12] is built for missions in remote areas or regions where access to traditional fuelling points is limited, ensuring that operations can continue uninterrupted.” Other modifications include a lengthening of the USV, from 11.55m to 13m, and the drone’s fuel capacity has been increased, from 1,200litres to 4,000litres.

Matthew Ratsey, Zero USV founder and MD, comments: “Uncrewed vessels are a force multiplier. The ability to conduct sustained operations at sea without the need for regular refuelling or crew-related logistics is becoming increasingly crucial as operational pressure on resources and time become more demanding.”

The XLR Oceanus12 features an aluminium hull with a 2.33m beam. The vessel draws 1.76m, displaces 8tonnes and can accommodate a payload of up to 1tonne – enabling it to carry kit such as Marine AI’s GuardianAI suite, plus an autonomous sensor suite featuring an HD radar from Navtech. Powered by a hybrid diesel-electric powertrain, the USV has a cruising speed of 6knots and a sprint speed of 10knots, depending on payload.

The Naval Architect recently caught up with Mikal Bøe, CEO of CORE POWER, for an exclusive, in-depth interview focusing on the potential adoption of nuclear power within the commercial shipping sector.

Since its formation in 2018, CORE POWER has pushed the development and deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies, specifically modular molten salt reactors (MSRs) and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs).

“To save fuel and reduce emissions, the global shipping fleet is sailing at its slowest average speed since the launch of the first diesel engine,” Boe told The Naval Architect. “The fleet is becoming less competitive and, with the increased cost of emissions compliance, it will also become more expensive to run.

“Nuclear-powered ships are not constrained by fuel consumption or emissions concerns; they emit nothing and can operate at their design speed without refuelling, enabling faster transoceanic voyages with minimal downtime. Nuclear-powered ships offer a host of additional benefits, from reverse cold ironing to creating new career opportunities for the next generation of marine engineers and ship’s crews.

“The market opportunity for nuclear-powered ships is nearly US$3 trillion, as the global fleet ages and conventionally powered vessels are replaced by nuclear-powered ships to meet emission-reduction targets of 70% by 2040.”

In the interview, Bøe also addressed areas such as international regulations and insurance, waste disposal and best end-of-lifecycle practice, and especially public attitudes towards nuclear power.

Bøe is resolute in his belief that “fearlessly using nuclear technology is essential to combatting the real dangers we face, including water, food and energy shortages, and maintaining social stability”. Regarding nuclear energy’s relative pariah status compared to other alt-fuels, he added: “The historical record should be re-examined…an important question is how society has persisted with such a gross misperception for 70 years.

“The work to educate the public about the real effects of nuclear energy is not ours alone. We therefore strive to work with organisations and groups that are dedicated to scientific truth and good scientific communication.”

Turkish boatbuilder and tug specialist Sanmar Shipyards has launched what it describes as its first high-performance tugboat for a client in Greece. The newbuild, which was ordered by harbour towage and salvage fleet owner/operator NEMECA, is based on Canadian naval architect Robert Allan Ltd’s (RAL’s) RAstar 2900SX design, which was drawn up exclusively for Sanmar. This class features an overall length of 29.4m, a moulded beam of 13.3m and a moulded depth of 5.5m, and can accommodate a crew of up to 10.

The vessel is equipped to FiFi 1 firefighting capability and powered by a pair of CAT 3516E main engines, each rated 2,350kW at 1,800rpm. The builder says that this is sufficient to guarantee a bollard pull in excess of 80tonnes.

NEMECA’s fleet services Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Kavala, where, in addition to towage and salvage duties, it offers anchor-handling, rig-moving and supply-duty operations.

Rüçhan Çıvgın, commercial director at Sanmar, comments: “This is a relatively compact tug that punches well above its weight…outperforming larger rivals.”

A UK consortium comprising Morek Engineering, Solis Marine Engineering, Tope Ocean, First Marine Solutions and Celtic Sea Power has devised a new class of floating wind installation vessel, primed for energy efficiency and sustainable operations. Having formally unveiled the concept at a Society of Maritime Industries event in London in May, the partners say they are now “advancing toward the next design stage” in the hope of attaining approval in principle (AiP) for the concept from a major class society by December.

Dubbed the Future FLOW Installation Vessel (FFIV) (the ‘FLOW’ standing for ‘floating offshore wind’), the ship would run on methanol and would feature a hydrodynamically optimised hull, azimuth thrusters and a DP2-rated dynamic positioning system. The vessel would also feature expanded mooring line capacity, care of a sizeable below-deck cable tank for synthetic mooring ropes, and lockers capable of holding “kilometres of chain”, the consortium states.

The partners envisage a length of 95m overall (or 88m between perpendiculars), a moulded breadth of 25m and a draught of 8.5m, with onboard accommodation provided for 42 personnel. The FFIV will also feature a tow winch and anchor-handling winch, a work-class ROV and a bollard pull capacity of 104te.

The consortium adds: “[The vessel] will work with any of the three main anchor types for floating wind turbines being considered by the industry: drag embedment anchors, which require installation by high-bollard pull anchor-handling vessels; suction piles; and driven piles, which require large subsea cranes to install them into the seabed. In each case, the FFIV meets the requirements of the next phase by installing the mooring lines onto the installed anchors, enabling quick connection to floating foundations towed to the offshore site.”

The project was conducted as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), a £206 million initiative to decarbonise the UK domestic shipping sector, funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK. Catch the July 2025 issue of The Naval Architect for more on this vessel, including an interview with Bob Colclough, naval architect, MD and founder of project lead Morek Engineering.

Shipyards form green alliance

Four leading shipyards have co-founded the Global Green Shipyard Alliance (GGSA), an international coalition committed to accelerating the maritime industry’s sustainability transition. The alliance aims to fast-track clean technology adoption, improve environmental performance and set unified ESG standards across their global operations.

Dubai’s Drydocks World is one of the four founding members of the GGSA, alongside Astilleros Shipyard Group, Spain; BREDO Dry Docks, Germany; and IMC Shipyard Services Group, which has facilities in Singapore, China and Thailand. By creating a platform for knowledge sharing, joint development and scalable innovation, the GGSA says it seeks to deliver a range of practical solutions, from hybrid propulsion and energy-efficient retrofits to digital optimisation and emissions compliance.

Imran Inamdar, Drydocks World COO, comments: “Through the GGSA, we have an opportunity to work alongside our peers to drive measurable improvements across shipbuilding and retrofitting practices. This collaboration enables us to raise performance standards, improve operational outcomes and bring practical solutions to market faster.”

Seatrium secures FSRU conversion contract

The Singapore shipyard group Seatrium has confirmed a significant contract award from Höegh Evi for the conversion of the LNG carrier Höegh Gandria into a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU). The work scope includes the installation of a regasification skid and integration of critical supporting systems such as cargo handling, utilities, offloading, electrical and automation systems. Engineering work started in May this year, with the 18-month project culminating in the FSRU’s deployment to the LNG terminal at Port of Sumed, Egypt, under charter by Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS).

In recent months Seatrium has also completed six cruise ship retrofits: Norwegian Spirit from Norwegian Cruise Line; Queen Elizabeth from Carnival UK Maritime; Star Voyager from Star Cruises; Le Laperouse and Paul Gauguin from Ponant Explorations Group; and Regatta from Oceania Cruises. In addition to routine docking and maintenance, Seatrium carried out  energy efficiency improvements and enhancements to the underwater propulsion systems.

Colombo Dockyard completes first-ever cable layer repair project

Colombo Dockyard recently completed drydocking repairs for Ile De Brehat, a 139.7m long cable lay vessel owned by Alcatel Marine Networks. The project was initiated by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), the vessel’s technical managers.

While this is a first in terms of repairs for the Sri Lankan yard, Colombo Dockyard already has a proven track record in cable layer construction, having delivered two such vessels within the past five years to customers in Japan and France. Beyond routine drydock maintenance, Ile De Brehat underwent cable-laying equipment repairs, the replacement of cable strong points, A-frame and crane cylinder overhauls and the installation of the Nereus active heave compensation (AHC) and offshore burial lay systems (OBLS). Additionally, the shipyard carried out propulsion machinery overhauls and accommodation refurbishments.

As a developer of cruise missiles and recon systems, and with the US government as a key customer, it’s fair to say that Virginia-based Leidos has cut its teeth on defence solutions.  However, the company’s latest unmanned unwater vehicle (UUV), the Sea Dart, is designed to support both naval and commercial customers, undertaking tasks ranging from mine countermeasures and battlespace preparation to undersea asset inspections (including around oil rigs and wind farms) and environmental sensing. The concept is for a modular, payload-agnostic bot, obviating the need to deploy separate UUVs for different applications. 

The UUV is available in two configurations. The 1.63m-long Sea Dart-6, named for its full diameter of 6” (152mm), weighs 29.4kg, can descend to 600m and exceeds 12knots, with an endurance of 11-19 hours. The Sea Dart-9, meanwhile, weighs 54.3kg and features a length of 1.57m, a diameter of 9” (229mm) and a speed of 8knots. This model appears to be the pick for lengthier, higher-payload missions in less remote waters, given its 19-hour+ endurance and depth rating of 300m. 

The Sea Darts are powered by lithium-ion batteries – rated 1.1kWh for the Sea Dart-6, 2.2kWh for the Sea Dart-9 – and each variant incorporates a direct-drive DC brushless motor with a three-bladed propeller, plus four control fins for pitch and yaw. A modular hull section measuring 26.5” (673mm) can be added, should end users require a larger battery spread for an endurance boost. The vehicles come with dual-band 2.4/5 GHz WiFi.  

Dave Lewis, Leidos senior VP of sea systems, adds that the Sea Dart is compatible with the US Navy’s unmanned maritime autonomy architecture (UMAA) – a standardised, modular and scalable software framework designed to support both UUVs and USVs. Leidos’ portfolio includes medium-sized USVs such as the Sea Castle force multiplier and the 40knot-capable Sea Archer, a UUV designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) work in high-risk waters.  

Leidos is particularly keen to stress the Sea Dart’s relative affordability: with a base cost of approximately US$150,000, both variants of the vehicle will cost “up to 80-90% less than other small UUVs with similar performance”, the company claims. This cost efficiency is partly credited to the use of commercial off-the-shelf components to reduce production costs and speed up manufacturing times, and partly to the Sea Dart’s open architecture model, which allows it to integrate with various software systems and payloads without the need for proprietary or specialised hardware. The UUV also uses common tech elements across its two (and future) variants to reduce lifecycle costs and maintenance expenses.  

As a result, Leidos envisages a strategy of high-volume production, stating that it aims to initially produce 180-200 Sea Dart units yearly. This should tie in with the US Department of Defense’s ongoing Replicator initiative, which is focused on the rapid scaling of unmanned systems, including sea drones and minimal-crew/zero-crew vessels, using commercial technologies. Although not explicitly confirmed by Leidos, the Sea Dart’s low cost and UMAA compatibility suggest it could support swarm tactics for operations such as minefield mapping, for example.  

Now, a 12.75” (324mm)-diameter version of the vehicle is “under consideration”, Leidos reveals. 

Having saved more than 6,400 lives in its 130+ year history, the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society (Redningsselskapet) is a cornerstone of maritime safety in Norway. Like many rescue agencies, though, the Society often must negotiate treacherous sea conditions at high speeds, raising the risk of severe slamming – a threat to volunteer first responders, onboard casualties and the boats alike – and this is especially the case off Norway’s rugged coastline. 

Earlier this year, Redningsselskapet decided to make Hefring Marine’s Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) a staple of its operations, building on a relationship that goes back to 2020, “when the IMAS was still in its infancy” Hefring Marine’s head of sales, Michael Given, tells The Naval Architect. This long-standing partnership has also enabled Redningsselskapet to provide feedback to Hefring Marine, enabling the company to tweak the IMAS in response to end-user recommendations. 

 At the time of writing, eight Redningsselskapet vessels were reported to be using the IMAS, though the Society intends to roll the system out across its entire 50+ vessel fleet between now and 2026.  

The IMAS was developed to undertake multiple human-machine interface (HMI)-related roles, such as helping crew to avoid excessive slamming and to keep tabs on their vessels’ energy consumption. In the case of the Redningsselskapet contract, the emphasis was on crew safety and rescue boat integrity.  

The system’s key features include its ‘safety speed’ predictive AI model. Given explains: “The model captures various types of real-time information – such as the engine data, weather info or any other useful data from the onboard sensors – and then compares that to historical data and decides the safest speed for the vessel, based on the sea conditions it is currently in. This is to avoid high G-force impacts and potential damage to the vessel and people on board.” 

This is important, Given adds, because there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to determining a safe speed. “Some of the Redningsselskapet boats include ambulance vessels with critically ill patients on board, who really don’t want to experience slamming,” he says. “For these boats, users can set a G-force tolerance limit on the IMAS to minimise impacts at a specific location on board, such as a patient’s bed, using an additional sensor. 

“But, on fast response vessels, crew need to set that limit a bit higher – to, say, 3-4Gs – because those vessels have a different operational profile: they’re going hell-for-leather and can accept a bit more punishment than ambulance boats. They just need to make sure the vessel isn’t damaged and to keep the crew safe.” 

The IMAS console displays two speeds: the vessel’s current speed over ground and the ‘safety speed’ required to keep the boat and crew safe, which is calculated from the abovementioned data. “The safety speed fluctuates in real time,” Given says, “so, if you enter a rough-water area, that speed will come down. If your speed over ground exceeds the safe speed, the whole dial goes red and warns the operator that you need to slow down now or you’re likely to have an impact over your threshold.” 

The alert is sent to the bridge but can also be relayed back to shore, via the cloud. “Red-alert impacts are recorded, so you can look back and see which conditions led to those impacts,” Given adds. “That’s something that can help with insurance concerns – but also can help naval architects and boatbuilders to redesign existing boats, for enhanced safety.” 

As an example, Given recalls an incident off the coast of Iceland, where a search and rescue (SAR) boat was hit on the bow by a freak wave rolling out of harbour. The impact, which was measured at 7.8Gs, broke the boat’s engine mounts and cracked some of its welds.  

“The IMAS was paramount in understanding what happened in that incident,” Given says. Using this info, which included a 3D model highlighting the velocity with which the wave hit the boat, the boatbuilder and naval architect were able to analyse the ‘weak points’ of the current design – in this case, the intersection between the cabin, the stringers and the beam – and to make modifications to refine the design to be more robust.  

While avoiding heavy slamming is obviously a big issue, the IMAS can also help operators to reduce their energy consumption and emissions, care of the system’s ‘eco speed’ functionality.  

Like the safety speed option, the system’s eco speed mode gathers real-time info on the most fuel-efficient speed to pursue in the boat’s current environment. As Given explains, Hefring Marine’s client base for the IMAS includes everything from “large fishing trawlers to small, fast RIBs” – and so, again, determining an eco-friendly speed depends on each individual vessel type and its operational environment. 

Neoline’s dream is taking shape, writes Bruno Cianci. Following the January launch of Neoliner Origin, which took place at the RMK Marine facility in Tuzla, Istanbul, this 136m, sailing and diesel-electric ro-ro cargo vessel will enter service connecting the Atlantic coast of France with the port of Baltimore, making intermediate calls in St. Pierre & Miquelon and Halifax (Nova Scotia). Like the ship in question, this transatlantic route is a first of its kind, offering new destinations and involving a vast spectrum of rolling and non-standard freights, including refrigerated containers and oversized parcels.

The cargo carrier will have a commercial speed of 11knots and a monthly frequency. The distance between St. Nazaire and Baltimore will require 13 days of travel westbound and 15 days eastbound. Thanks to an extra 3knot speed margin to which the operator can resort in the event of delay, Neoline will ensure regularity and punctuality in departures and arrivals, thus meeting clients’ needs and deadlines.

Conceived in 2011, Neoline was born out of the determination of an informal group of nine professionals, led by ro-ro ship captain Michel Péry, all determined to create and optimise new propulsion methods and achieve a substantial drop in CO2 emissions. The team shared a conviction that sails are the only solution: immediately available and powerful enough to propel heavy cargo vessels. As well as exploiting the wind as its primary driving propulsion, though, the vessel is supported by auxiliary diesel-electric power, enabling the vessel to maintain its sailing schedule.

The ship is fitted with twin carbon-mast SolidSail rigs, designed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, that can be folded down to clear bridges and to access most ports. Each mast can hoist one 1,050m2 SolidSail and one 450m2 jib (by Onesails), totalling 3,000m2 of canvas. Below surface, the ship features deep retractable anti-drift fins, designed by Fouré Lagadec, that prove efficient and particularly useful while sailing upwind.

Equipped with a 12m-wide loading ramp, Neoliner Origin can handle a wide range of parcel sizes and packaging in three loading areas (a 2,100m2 main garage, a 500m2 twin deck and a 950m2 lower garage), all weatherproofed. Its transport capacities are optimised to load both light freight (cars, pallets, etc) and oversized parcels, up to 9.8m high and 200tonnes in weight, without the need for lifting.

Neoliner Origin has two types of propulsion system: sails and a mechanical propeller. The latter comprises a controllable-pitch propeller connected to a PTI/PTO gearbox clutched to a diesel medium-speed, 3,200kW ABC engine and to a 900kW electric motor. This allows the powertrain to work efficiently in every possible configuration, and to integrate batteries in the future. Thus, there are three sail modes: exclusively sails; mechanical propulsion (mainly for manoeuvring); and hybrid.

Neoliner Origin aims to reduce its fossil fuel consumption by more than 80% compared to a same-sized conventional ship operating at 15knots. But there is more to the story, as Neoline technical manager Guilhem Péan explains: “Apart from fuel savings, our ship is much more silent than conventional motorised vessels, and therefore its impact on marine mammals and the environment is drastically lower. And of course, the less the engines and equipment are used, the less maintenance and spare parts or consumables are required. Besides, when the sails are in use, the vessel’s roll motion is dampened, and comfort thus improved.”

Neoline CEO Jean Zanuttini adds: “We are actively working on plans for other versions of Neoliner Origin. Our goal is to scale the concept and increase the capacity for cargo while progressing toward zero-emission shipping.”

From a US$3.5 billion push to become the world’s fully AI-native city by 2027, to this year’s roll-out of a fleet of self-driving robotaxis, tech vibes are strong in Abu Dhabi. Add recent reports of blockchain adoption, quantum research and a large-scale solar energy capture project, and the capital city of the UAE appears to be buzzing with innovation.

This tech-drive includes the launch this year of the UAE’s first dedicated remote operations centre (ROC) for USV testing, hiring and maintenance. Named ‘The Quarterdeck’ and scheduled to commence operations from Q3 2025, the ROC will be located at Addax Tower, a 60-storey commercial skyscraper located on Al Reem Island.

The Quarterdeck is the brainchild of long-term partners Nexus Remote Solutions and Janus Marine and Defense, and its chief aim is to enable start-ups and scale-ups to test-drive both commercial and defence-related USVs and UUVs. Jack Dougherty, owner of Janus Marine and Defense, tells The Naval Architect: “There just aren’t that many public ROCs out there. Currently, the UAE has three ROCs spanning the commercial and defence markets, yet all three are privately owned and closed to external contractors. The Quarterdeck is the first ROC in the UAE that will allow smaller-sized companies to get their hands on the same technology and facilities found in private ROCs, and to utilise a larger USV to its fullest capacity and take it offshore, including the use of satcomms, without having to invest in their own ROCs.”

John Woroniuk, Nexus founder, adds: “We’re open to small-to-medium-sized companies and surveyors who want to innovate USVs: mainly in the oil and gas industry but also the naval sector. The Quarterdeck is like an R & D centre where you can hire high-tech equipment and undertake vessel trials – and we can offer to operate manned or unmanned vessels for you. This enables companies to manage USV operations across the Gulf and beyond.”

What’s more, while attitudes toward USV development tend to vary from state to state in the US, and from country to country across Europe, Dougherty notes that the UAE offers “excellent conditions” for uncrewed vessel operations – most notably, an absence of red tape, while avoiding a literalistic interpretation of the SOLAS requirements. “The UAE government is especially receptive to technology that has the potential to boost health and safety,” Dougherty adds.

Last year saw the launch of the Nexus Janus (NJ) Portal, a hub developed by Janus, Nexus and Current Scientific Corporation to manage and integrate various USV sensors and payloads (including anything from cameras and side scan sonars to machine guns). The NJ Portal was first showcased at 2024 Autonomous Ship Expo and Conference in Amsterdam, where it was used to operate a pan-tilt-zoom electro-optical/infrared (PTZ EO/IR) camera based in Vancouver, plus a 12m USV in Abu Dhabi, simultaneously and in real time from a single laptop at the show. The NJ Portal’s reported benefits include the ability to compress and truncate high-speed data for seamless transfers between the USV and shore-based (or mothership-based) analysts.

The NJ Portal technology will be incorporated into The Quarterdeck. Dougherty explains that the facility will offer three soundproofed pods, each staffed by a trained USV pilot and two sensor operators. The Quarterdeck will also feature a larger conference room, for company presentations and live trials. The sensor operators will look after whatever payload gear needs to be demonstrated, whether that’s gripper tools, weaponry, a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) or a smaller ROV.

Dougherty says that users can either hire Unique’s USVs or run the tests on their own units, adding: “Another reason we established The Quarterdeck was that it seemed a missed opportunity for those companies shipping in their USVs for UAE shows like IMEX. They brought their USVs into the country at great cost but were then unable to test them or demonstrate them to clients – so we thought, you might as well keep them out here for a few months.” Similarly, he highlights: “Nobody in the UAE wants to fly all the way to Glasgow just to see how their USVs and their payloads perform in the North Sea.”

One ongoing issue with ROCs is the absence of international standards for pilots operating USVs remotely from another country. Regarding rules and regulations, Doughtery comments: “Obviously, if a ship is flagged in Panama and being run out of the North Sea, but the ROC is based in the GCC, that creates regulatory issues – but, to be transparent, nobody knows how to get over these yet. It took IMO four years to come up with its ‘four degrees of autonomy’ for maritime autonomous surface ships [MASS] labels, so, for now, I think we’ll have much more luck dealing with the local statutory and regulatory agencies.”

The global shipping fleet must adopt low- and zero-emission fuels to meet the climate goals set by IMO, writes Tore Stensvold. The goal is a 20% reduction in total GHG emissions by 2030, and a 70% reduction by 2040, both relative to 2008 levels, with the end goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Ammonia and hydrogen are seen as two likely and possible fuel options. However, the properties of ammonia and hydrogen fuels introduce safety risks related to toxicity and flammability.

In March, DNV issued the whitepaper Safe introduction of alternative fuels – focus on ammonia and hydrogen as ship fuels. Linda Hammer, principal engineer at DNV Maritime, and one of the authors of the whitepaper, tells The Naval Architect that the paper was issued to support and assist shipowners who want to use the fuels before the IMO regulations are in place.

“IMO is working on developing regulations, but it is a long process,” says Hammer. “IMO has issued interim rules for ammonia and will proceed with interim rules for hydrogen. It will take many years before they are mandatory.” She explains that it is still possible to get ships approved with alternative fuels, but the process is more burdensome and time-consuming. One must use the risk-based approval process known as the alternative design approval (ADA) process and the regulatory framework for alternative fuels through the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code).

Hammer says that the exact requirements for the approval process may vary from case to case, depending on the flag administration’s acceptance of available interim guidelines and classification rules as their approval basis, and on factors relating to the design and its maturity.

DNV has aimed to develop ammonia and hydrogen classification rules with prescriptive requirements as far as possible, acknowledging that this will ensure increased predictability for owners, designers, and shipyards. “DNV issued class rules for ammonia in 2021 and for hydrogen in 2024,” Hammer continues. “If the flag administration agrees, those rules can be applied. It is very important that those who are building early contact the flag state to clarify the approval processes and scope – and whether they can use the classification rules.”

So far, only a couple of tugboats and one deep-sea vessel, Fortescue’s Green Pioneer, have been converted and use ammonia as the primary fuel in a dual-fuel engine. “Fortescue used the ADA process,” says Hammer. “We are also working with Eidesvik on the conversion of the [94.9m] platform supply vessel Viking Energy to ammonia operation, using our class rules for onboard installations and equipment.”

Of the global fleet of around 60,000 ships over 1,000gt, 20% account for about 80% of emissions, according to DNV’s Maritime Forecast 2024. This means the most significant impact will come from measures applied to the 12,000 largest ships. Currently, 98.8% of these ships use combustion engines that burn some form of heavy oil or marine distillates.

“It is extremely important that shipyards and suppliers are involved in the design phase,” says Hammer. “Technical safety barriers and safety margins must be incorporated into the plans as soon as the first drawings are available.” Equally important is that the crew knows how to handle the fuels, is aware of the risks and understands the system well to maintain and operate it. DNV recently issued a competence standard for those operating ships that will use ammonia as fuel.

“It’s not enough to build the ships and equipment safely if the crew doesn’t know how to handle and operate it and what to do in a given situation,” says Hammer. “We have extensive knowledge of ammonia-handling because it is shipped as a commodity on large gas carriers. Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant in refrigerated ships and fishing vessels.”

Visitors to Amsterdam will now be able to enjoy fine dining on the water free of smoke and noise, as the relaunched floating restaurant Henry Schmitz resumes operations, following an internal overhaul and conversion to electric power.

The 16.7m x 3.7m saloon boat, originally built in the early 1900s and now operated by Amsterdam Jewel Cruises, has been equipped with an electric motor and battery for zero-emissions dinner cruises on the city’s canals. The boat’s March relaunch appeared to be well-timed: 1 April saw the introduction of new emissions rules for Amsterdam’s inner-city waterways, effectively banning diesel or petrol boats within its canal network – although some exemptions exist for commercial boats with older permits.

Prior to its powertrain overhaul, Henry Schmitz had been powered by a marinised version of an old IVECO Alfo truck diesel engine. The refit, carried out at Shipyard Wed. Brouwer in Zaandam, saw this diesel replaced by an Deep Blue 50i electric motor and a Deep Blue Battery 40, both supplied by e-propulsion specialist Torqeedo. The shipyard removed the diesel and tank, while Torqeedo partner Kenco handled the electric installation and wiring.

Torqeedo tells The Naval Architect that shipwright Martijn Scheerman particularly deserves credit for artfully removing the boat’s wooden superstructure to enable the powertrain swap-out, thus “maintaining the grandeur of the original details”.

With its current engine and battery combo, Henry Schmitz’s weight is now estimated at 28tonnes. The boat can offer dinner cruises for up to 20 guests, accompanied by a captain/skipper and one to two hosts. “There’s a fairly big, copper bar right in the middle, and all tables carry two to three couverts [the plates, cutlery and bread laid out for guests] max, to keep it cosy and intimate,” Torqeedo says. Amsterdam Jewel Cruises adds that the boat will only lay out eight tables max, to achieve the same intimate effect.

The Deep Blue Battery 40 is rated approximately 40kWh and supplies the power required for both the e-motor and the boat’s galley. The battery type was developed to withstand harsh marine environments, with an IP67 waterproof rating and a rugged design, reflecting Torqeedo’s range of maritime applications, including installations aboard powerboats, workboats, water taxis and small yachts.

In terms of performance, “typically, canal cruises through Amsterdam take a leisurely pace – about 5knots or so”, Torqeedo says. “The canals are narrow and congested, and there are lots of things to see. On a typical trip, the guests will come aboard for a welcoming drink at 17:00 and then cruise around until 22:30-23:00 for dinner with a view.” Henry Schmitz usually sails daily, with passenger bookings taken a month or so in advance.

Torqeedo adds that a typical day’s sailing uses no more than 20% of the battery’s charge. The boat is docked overnight for charging. On rare occasions, when the boat ventures farther – such as crossing the busy River IJ to pick up a private party, for example – it will run at full speed, reaching a hull speed of 10knots for about an hour. “Even so, by the end of the day, the boat usually retains 55% of its charge,” Torqeedo says.

Meanwhile, Amsterdam looks set to build on its drive to reduce noise and CO2 emissions: the city has pledged to install a total of 2,500 charging points for electric boats by 2030, meaning that the likes of Henry Schmitz will have easier access to electric power than ever before, regardless of their itineraries.

UK high-speed boat and RIB-builder Marine Specialised Technology (MST) Group reports that it has secured a £6 million funding package from domestic bank NatWest. Ben Kerfoot, group managing director, tells The Naval Architect: “The funding will be used to finance the build stage of projects that are increasingly larger and more complex, to satisfy the growing needs of the global maritime defence and security markets.”

The arrangement with the bank appears to have been highly cordial. Kerfoot adds: “Working in a specialist industry as we do, NatWest really took the time to understand our business, and we look forward to having this enhanced financial capability to scale our operations and meet rapidly accelerating demand. This is a milestone moment for us.”

Founded in 2002, and currently employing 135 staff at its 35,000m2 waterside facility in Bromborough, Merseyside, MST Group specialises in producing small boats for military clients. In addition to building the boats, the company offers bespoke training for vessel operation, technical support and boat maintenance/repair services, as well as handling spare parts and boat upgrades.

MST Group’s boat lines include the SEABOAT class, the first of which was delivered to the German Coast Guard in 2003. Since then, the company has gone on to secure contracts with the Netherlands’ Defence Materiel Organization (now COMMIT) and the UK Ministry of Defence, among others, and recently delivered the first in its FIC-1700 range of 17m fast interceptors to a Mediterranean client.

The FIC-1700 is powered by four 600hp (447kW) Mercury Verado engines, and was designed specifically for visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) tasks, being capable of a top speed in excess of 55knots, a 650nm range and “what we suspect will be a class-beating 0-50knot acceleration”, Kerfoot reveals. He adds: “The second unit is undergoing factory testing and will then join its sister boat already in active service.”

In a statement issued earlier this week, MST Group said: “[Our] services and operations also tie in with metro mayor Steve Rotherham’s stated aim to grow the economy through three key clusters within the Liverpool Combined Authority region, one of which is ‘advanced manufacturing’.”

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has selected Aker Arctic to design a next-generation Baltic icebreaker as part of the Winter Navigation Motorways of the Sea III (WINMOS III) project, co-financed by the EU. In addition to initial design, technical evaluation and concept comparisons, the contract includes model tests and the development of a final concept design package.

The working title for the new icebreaker design – ‘B+’– reflects its classification between the largest A-class and mid-tier B-class icebreakers in terms of vessel size and capability and an icebreaker capable of being deployed in the Bothnian Bay at the beginning of the icebreaking season when icebreaker assistance is required primarily by smaller commercial vessels. Later in the season, the new icebreaker could be relocated south to the Bothnian Sea or the Gulf of Finland, as required.

The initial design phase will include the evaluation of alternative fuels and machinery configurations. In addition, Aker Arctic will investigate the use of electrical energy storage systems to balance out fluctuating loads on the icebreaker’s propulsion system based on likely operational profiles required of a Baltic Sea assistance icebreaker.

The first phase will also include the comparison of three alternative vessel concepts in terms of performance and costs, including acquisition, in-service and maintenance costs over the lifetime of the vessel. The performance of at least two concepts will be evaluated with model tests. The final concept design package will be completed in early 2026.

Aker Arctic CEO Mika Hovilainen says the design will highlight the need for a vessel with the ability to “operate in more dynamic and fragmented ice fields”, as well as demonstrating good seakeeping characteristics and low fuel consumption in open water transit.

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult reports that it has selected nine UK companies for its 2025 Launch Academy technology acceleration programme, created to provide “wraparound support” to innovative companies working in the offshore wind segment. The nine-month programme is also being supported by EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, bp and ScottishPower Renewables.

The annual Launch Academy was initially rolled out in 2020, and has since supported 57 companies in raising a combined £26.7 million in private investment and £8.4 million in grant funding. Assistance is provided through various modules, focusing on areas such as legal, marketing, export, accountancy, intellectual property (IP), investor readiness, technology assessment and business case reviews – support “worth up to £60,000 per company”, ORE Catapult says. When the programme draws to a close, each company will have the opportunity to pitch to ORE Catapult’s network of private investors and industry members.

Following the company selection announcement, which was hosted in Blyth, Northumberland on 30 April, Teresa Enriquez, offshore innovation manager at ScottishPower Renewables, commented: “Continuing to grow and develop our domestic supply chain to support the offshore wind industry is a must for our sector. Innovative SMEs – like the latest Launch Academy cohort – are right at the heart of that.

“The Launch Academy is a win-win programme, providing companies with tailored support to help them thrive in this sector – especially those transitioning from other industries – while developing innovative solutions that address the real-life challenges being faced by developers like us on a daily basis. It’s great to be part of such a positive programme.”

The nine companies include: Cornwall-based engineering firm Reflex Marine, developer of the JAVELIN anchoring system for floating offshore wind installations; Heavy Lift Projects, Edinburgh, which provides marine and quayside heavy-lift equipment; Zero USV, Plymouth, developer of the Oceanus12 autonomous surface vessel class; and London-based engineering consultancy Bora Engineering, which has developed an optimised storage solution for shipboard mooring line reels.

The other five companies include: METOL Ltd, Loughborough, which offers a thermoplastic polymeric oligomer compound for the manufacture of recyclable composite structures (such as wind turbine blades); Glaswegian project solutions provider Interocean; Edinburgh-based data platform and software developer Vekta Group; project scenario planning and analysis specialist Unasys; and Murcott Energy, Worcester, developer of the Murb – a portable vertical-axis floating turbine, designed to serve as a quick-to-deploy, temporary offshore power source.

Largest suction sail installation completed

Bound4blue has completed the installation of the world’s largest suction sails, with four 26m-high eSAILs being fitted to Atlantic Orchard. Chartered by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and owned by Wisby Tankers of Sweden, the specialised juice carrier had the sails fitted in a single stop already scheduled for its 10-year special survey at Astander Shipyard in Spain.

The four eSAILs were installed in under a day per unit. This installation marks the third so far this year for bound4blue and is the latest in a series of installations that has seen the DNV type-approved suction sails fitted to vessels ranging from MR tankers to general cargo and RoRo vessels.

Drydocks World and Cochin Shipyard to explore ship repair opportunities

Dubai’s Drydocks World has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cochin Shipyard Limited, with the aim of developing ship repair clusters within India. The aim is to bring global best practices to the ship repair sector in the country and add significant new capacities for this type of work, to meet local demand.

Two locations, Kochi and Vaidinar, have been identified for special focus, as having the potential to become new ship repair centres to be developed under the terms of the new MOU.

Steelpaint secures multiple vessel contract

German coatings firm Steelpaint has secured an order to supply its Stelpant system to 20 dry bulk vessels operated by one of the world’s largest shipping companies. An additional 19 bulkers are scheduled for application next year.

The Singapore-based shipping group, which manages a fleet of large bulkers totalling 16 million dwt, has opted to apply the coating to 39 ships as part of a fleet maintenance initiative focused on steel preservation, reduced downtime and operational efficiency. Vessels ranging from 70,000-200,000dwt will undergo coatings work at Chinese shipyards Youlian (Zhoushan), Youlian (Shekou) and Qingdao Beihai. Application will focus primarily on tank tops and lower hopper regions, where frequent impact from grabs and bulldozers can cause wear and damage to conventional coatings. It is anticipated Stelpant will also be applied to hatch coamings and inner bottom plating.

Madeira Island’s Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI) has ordered two Autosub Long Range-branded AUVs from the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) to aid its research and ocean scientific activities off the coast of Portugal, and further afield.

The AUVs are designed for multi-month endurance without the need for research vessel back-up, and both come equipped with scientific sensors. One of the vehicles, a 3.6m unit rated for depths of 1,500m, will undertake oceanographic and biogeochemistry-related surveys of the water column, using a turbulence probe. Equipped with rechargeable batteries, this AUV has range of up to 1,330km. 

The other AUV, measuring 4m in length and rated for depths of 6,000m, will focus on seabed mapping. Also powered by batteries, this vehicle has a range of up to 600km. 

Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira Island’s waters deepen to approximately 1,000m within 10km of the shoreline, while water depth exceeds 3,000m beyond 15km. 

Rui Caldeira, principal scientist at ARDITI, comments: “The data [the AUVs] gather will support our and our partners’ research and help regional and national governments enforce EU Directives. Combined with USVs and traditional ships, they will also help to make Madeira Island an attractive ultra-deep-sea location for testing for international partners.”  

NOC says it is also building additional AUVs for its own fleet and expects to have eight Autosub Long Range vehicles at its disposal by the end of 2026.

Benetti’s Livorno yacht factory has delivered the first model in the builder’s B.Now 67 series, christened Iryna, to her unspecified owner. Co-designed by RWD, the 66.2m x 11.2m, six-deck vessel has a steel hull, an aluminium superstructure and a maximum draught of 3.1m, and displaces 1,150tonnes at full load. 

The megayacht incorporates Benetti’s Oasis Deck concept, which spans 190m2 of surface area and features open-out wings to extend the deck’s width, while offering “an unobstructive 270° view towards the stern”, Benetti says. Overall, Iryna boasts 500m2 of useable outdoors space, while interior features include a 65m2 main salon and a full-beam owner’s suite on the upper deck. Two VIP cabins are arranged on the main deck, and four on the lower deck, enabling the vessel to accommodate up to 15 guests. 

The hull and superstructure colouring takes in three different shades of grey. “The boat is also characterised by extensive, mainly curved glazing that covers up to 70% of the overall vertical surface area,” Benetti adds. 

Powered by twin Caterpillar 3512E engines, Iryna has a range of 5,000nm at a cruise speed of 12knots. The vessel is also equipped with a Naiad 200kW bow thruster. Onboard capacities include 115,000litres of fuel oil and 33,000litres of fresh water. The project took around three years to complete, Benetti says, with classification having been handled by Lloyd’s Register. 

Turkey’s tug output is showing no signs of a let-up, whether for domestic or overseas customers – and with Robert Allan Limited’s designs very much at the forefront for the steady stream of newbuilds.

A report published on Statista, titled Export value of tugs and pusher craft from Turkey between 2012 and 2023, claims that Turkey exorted new tugs and pushers to the value of just over US$416 million in 2023, representing an increase of nearly 36% on the previous year. The country has also been pioneered a number of eco-friendly tug firsts, designing vessels capable of running on alternative fuels. Examples include the 2014 launch of the twins Borgøy and Bokn, hailed as the first two pure-LNG-fuelled tugs in the world, and the 2020 delivery of the 18.7m ‘zero emissions electric tug’ (ZEETUG) by Navtek: a vessel powered by lithium-ion batteries.

One major Turkish player is Uzmar, originally founded in 1972 as a pilotage and towage services firm, before coming to build tugboats for its own requirements from 1993. In February this year, the builder delivered the 32m x 13.2m tug TIGER to Italy-headquartered tug and barge operator Ocean SRL. This vessel will be used for operations including towing, pushing, firefighting, vessel escort, ship rescue and stand-by duties. Uzmar says that it managed to complete TIGER just eight months after the contract with Ocean SRL was signed.

TIGER was built to the specs of the RAstar 3200 class, provided by Canadian naval architect Robert Allan Limited (RAL). RAL’s tug designs – including the RAstar, RAmparts and VectRA series (and their offshoots) – have proven popular with Turkish shipbuilders such as Uzmar, Sanmar and Med Marine, covering a range of applications, from harbour towing to offshore support.

TIGER features a depth of 5.5m and has a the capacity to store 199m3 of fuel and 40m3 of fresh water. The tug is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516E main engines, each rated 2,350bkW at 1,800rpm and featuring IMO Tier III-certified aftertreatment systems. Propulsion-wise, the vessel is fitted with two Kongsberg US255 Z-drives with 2.8m fixed-pitch propellers, while deck equipment includes an Ibercisa split drum escort forward winch, an aft towing winch and a towing pin, supplied by Data Hidrolik, to support vessel escorting and towing operations. Uzmar reports that TIGER has a bollard pull capacity of 80tonnes and carries the class notations Escort Tug, Recovered Oil Second Line (FP>60°C) and Firefighting 1.

Uzmar is now working on a battery-methanol tug for port and terminal services supplier Svitzer, scheduled for handover in the second half of 2025. The tug will incorporate a 6MWh battery, manufactured by AYK Energy, to assist it in providing zero-emissions escort tug duties in the Port of Gothenburg. This vessel is based on Svitzer’s TRAnsverse design – which, as the name implies, features additional design input from RAL. AYK Energy explains: “The battery will be supported by dual-fuel methanol engines for back-up and range extension. The escort duty tug is expected to conduct more than 90% of its operations using its battery-electric powertrain.”

The 806gt vessel will feature an overall length of 34.9m, a bollard pull ahead of 85tonnes and the capability to reach speeds up to 14knots. It will also utilise escort steering and braking forces, rated 150tonnes and 200tonnes respectively, measured at 10knots.

Meanwhile, Turkish builder Sanmar Shipyards recently completed the sea trials for the third fully electric tugboat constructed for SAAM Towage. Sanmar has stated that the newbuild effectively constitutes “the first fully electric tugboat to operate in Latin America”, as well as marking the eighth all-electric newbuild produced by Sanmar,

The builder adds that it has another six fully electric tugboats under construction at its facility in Tuzla. The newcomer follows the ElectRA 2300-class tugs SAAM Volta and Chief Dan George, which Sanmar delivered to SAAM Canada in Q4 2023, for operations in the Port of Vancouver (see Significant Small Ships of 2023).

This latest launch is based on RAL’s ElectRA 2500SX design, provided to Sanmar on an exclusive basis. The boat features an overall length of 25.4m, a 12.86m beam and a draught of 5.6m, and has a maximum battery capacity of 3,616kWh. Rüçhan Çıvgın, commercial director of Sanmar Shipyards, says: “It was extremely important, when we were developing the ElectRA series with RAL and [battery manufacturer] Corvus Energy, that the move to electricity and other alternative fuels should not come with any loss of power or performance.” According to the partners, the ElectRA 2500SX exhibits a bollard pull of at least 70tonnes and a speed of 12.5knots – which certainly seems to have pleased the operator.

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has published a new recommendation, Rec. 186, which has been developed to help determine a standardised approach to integrating additive manufacturing (AM), AKA 3D printing, into marine and offshore applications.

IACS comments: “AM has emerged as an alternative to traditional manufacturing processes by fusing materials to produce objects from a digital 3D model into a series of 2D cross sections for layer-by-layer physical prints, ultimately producing a 3D object.” The association notes that AM’s benefits include “greater design freedom”, along with reduced material waste and a higher degree of flexibility when it comes to on-demand production and customisation.

In particular, IACS adds, ‘Rec. 186: Additively Manufactured Metallic Parts for Marine and Offshore Applications’ establishes a framework for “the qualification, approval and certification of additively manufactured metallic parts”, including guidance on part design, feedstock selection, AM processes, post-processing and inspections and testing. The association adds: “By incorporating recognised international standards such as ISO/ASTM 52900 and AWS D20.1, it aligns AM technology with existing Unified Requirements [UR], particularly UR W for materials and welding, ensuring equivalent reliability and safety.”

Rec. 186 outlines several “key areas” for the “safe and effective adoption of AM in the marine sector”. These include: AM processes such as powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition and binder jetting, as well as detailed parameters for each of these processes; the introduction of tiered testing levels – referred to here as ‘AM Levels 1-3 – for class and certified items; “rigorous qualification processes” and recycling protocols for AM feedstocks (such as powder, wire and binder feedstocks); maritime-specific qualifications for parts, which would also involve pre-build simulations; and non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, such as CT scans.

The recommendation is intended to assist not only shipyards and vessel operators but OEMs in using AM to develop safety-critical marine components. Alexandre Astruc, chair of IACS’ expert group on materials and welding, comments: “3D printing is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for the marine sector, offering a flexible, speedy and customisable solution for environments where the consequences for safety, sustainability or operational uptime can otherwise be significant.

“While [AM’s] potential for rapid production is notable, its true strength lies in its ability to provide innovative, on-demand solutions tailored to complex maritime challenges. In developing Rec. 186, IACS is seeking to safeguard the benefits offered by AM by ensuring it is underpinned by a standardised framework for verification and certification that gives confidence to all parties.”

Further details on Rec. 186 can be accessed at https://iacs.org.uk/resolutions/recommendations/181-200/rec-186

The IMO Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) gives ship operators wide freedoms on how to reduce their vessel and fleet carbon intensity. However, according to recent analysis carried out by Wärtsilä Marine, 47% of the global merchant fleet will need to upgrade its emissions performance to avoid slipping into the C to E CII bands across their expected lifetime.

Companies can choose to change the fuels they use, implement operational measures such as reducing speed, or install one or more of the 44 energy-saving measures listed in IMO’s fourth Greenhouse Gas Study. The key challenge for owners and operators, then, is not just to familiarise themselves with these measures – a daunting task given the number available – but also to decide when it makes sense to invest in them.

According to Peter Hanstén, director for business development at Wärtsilä Marine: “The question of timing is key because CII compliance requires only a few percentage points in improvement each year. That means, for many vessels, the targets could be met by installing new technologies or employing operational solutions every year or few years, to deliver incremental gains.

“Alternatively, several years’ worth of targets could be banked in a single jump – for example, by switching to clean fuels.”

Which options work best for a company will depend on many factors, says Hanstén, not least the vessel’s current carbon intensity, its remaining lifetime and the operator’s ability to invest. Considerations will also need to include fuel availability and market expectations. It is clear, for example, that reducing reliance on fossil fuels and substituting them with alternative fuels will be the big change needed for vessels to meet the long-term carbon intensity reductions required by CII. But that shift will be expensive and its timing uncertain, as the widespread availability of alternative fuels remains unsettled.

Similarly, reducing vessel speed may be an effective way of conserving energy for some vessels, but will be impractical for the many that rely on speed to fulfil contracts and remain competitive. Hanstén suggests: “On the other hand, stacking marginal energy gains from other measures can keep ships compliant with short- and medium-term targets. These can be planned in advance so that investments are made in line with the required stepped improvements.

“Beyond compliance, these measures cut current fuel costs and give operators an optimised baseline of vessel efficiency that will minimise future fuel costs once vessels do make the leap to cleaner power. This also needs to be factored into calculations of return on investment [ROI].”

The starting point for developing a longer-term CII investment plan needs to involve a rigorous analysis of the existing fleet. “This is the approach adopted by Wärtsilä Decarbonisation Services when supporting shipowners including Princess Cruises, Dubai-based Tristar Eships and Brazilian energy company Raizen,” says Hanstén. “Together, we build a complete picture of the current state of play by gathering data from a variety of sources, including vessel operational profiles, technical characteristics and fuel consumption reports, or from Wärtsilä data collection units installed onboard. Machine-learning techniques are then used to process this data and predict how vessels’ emission performance will degrade over time.” Once processed, the data can be used to build a digital model of each vessel, which is used to simulate the effects of different energy saving measures, or different combinations of technologies and how they interact with each other.

Big efficiency gains can come from some surprising areas, which are sometimes overlooked, Hanstén points out, one example being the propeller. He says: “Propellers are typically designed at newbuild stage to meet a single speed point that may not remain optimised to the vessel’s operating profile in later years. A new propeller design, along with reduced vessel speeds and engine power, can lead to combined propulsive efficiency improvements of up to 15%.” Another high-gain area that Wärtsilä believes is often overlooked is the harnessing of wind power to assist propulsion. Rotor sails, for example, can reduce a vessel’s fuel consumption and associated GHG emissions by up to 30%, based on Wärtsilä’s experience through its license and cooperation agreement with Anemoi Marine Technologies for the latter’s Rotor Sail system.

EGCS retrofit combines carbon capture technology

Value Maritime (VM) has installed its combined exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) and carbon capture unit aboard the 75,000dwt Nexus Victoria, an LR1-type product tanker owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).

VM’s 15MW next-generation EGCS Filtree system can filter sulphur and ultra-fine particulate matter, and can capture 10% of the vessel’s CO2 emissions, with the potential to further increase this to 30% if needed. The retrofit installation of the technology was completed in Singapore under the supervision of VM’s technical team.

LNG retrofits surge 

Lloyd’s Register’s (LR’s) Engine Retrofit Report 2025 highlights a resurgence of LNG retrofits in 2024, as shipowners sought immediate carbon reductions to navigate regulatory requirements. However, while LNG offers a near-term compliance solution, the report warns that deeper emissions reductions will be necessary beyond the next decade.

Supply chain readiness is another important factor highlighted in the report. It warns that, without improved coordination between engine manufacturers, fuel system suppliers and shipyards, lead times for conversion projects could stretch beyond 18 months.

Another significant issue identified in LR’s initial report, published in 2024, was the limited capacity of shipyards capable of undertaking alternative fuel conversions. While the number of capable yards has increased, the latest report identifies that current retrofit capacity is still only approximately 465 vessel conversions annually, well below the projected peak requirement of more than 1,000 conversions a year.

The LR Engine Retrofit Report 2025 can be downloaded from www.lr.org

FPSO refurb contract secured by Drydocks World

Drydocks World Dubai has been awarded a contract for the refurbishment and life extension of the FPSO Baobab Ivorien by Modec Management Services. Scheduled to commence in May, the eight-month project will involve 1,000tonnes of steel renewal, 250,000m² of tank coating, and 11,500m of new piping.

The work scope also covers enhancements to crew living quarters and the integration of technologies to enhance its operational efficiency and reliability. Upon completion, the vessel’s lifespan will be extended by 15 years on its return to deployment offshore West Africa.

Demand for dependable research, survey and intervention vessels is booming, positioning this sector as one of the fastest-growing in the maritime industry. This demand is being driven by numerous factors, including: a surge in offshore wind farm projects, necessitating detailed seabed mapping and environmental impact assessments prior to turbine installations; ongoing exploration needs within the oil and gas sector; and the growing requirement for vessels capable of supporting research projects focused on ocean health, climate change and biodiversity.

Formed in 2008, Norwegian operator Reach Subsea specialises in deploying work-class ROVs to gather ocean data for clients. “We were looking for something that could make us a bit more competitive in this market,” Bjørg Mathisen Døving, VP for the REACH REMOTE fleet at Reach Subsea, tells The Naval Architect, “and we also wondered why we were utilising a big vessel for what were quite easy ROV deployment tasks.” An encounter with Kongsberg Maritime in 2015 led Research Subsea to consider the use of a remote-controlled USV.

This uncrewed craft would not only taxi a work-class ROV from site to site, but also act as an ‘energy carrier’, providing the power required by the ROV for its offshore tasks. The USV and ROV would be operated from remote operations centres (ROCs), on land or on another ship. This concept would evolve into Reach Subsea’s REACH REMOTE 1 USV, which was launched in January 2025.

“We started off with a pilot programme, using a pool at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, where we tested the vessel’s hull and the ROV, and their movements,” says Døving. “From there, we worked with Kongsberg on a field study. At Reach Subsea, we have years of experience and knowledge of ROV operations, so we were able to add a lot of details for the final concept, especially regarding the onboard ROV launch and recovery system [LARS].”

For Døving, the vessel offers numerous benefits compared to traditional crewed vessels. For instance, the smaller overall vessel size (think no need for heads, crew berths, fresh-water tanks or a galley), combined with the use of hybrid electric propulsion, spells lower rates of fuel consumption per operation, minimising the boat’s environmental impact. Reach Subsea and Kongsberg restricted the USV’s length to just under 24m, to meet the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s (MCA’s) Workboat Code 3 requirements.

From a safety perspective, moving operations to onshore ROCs also removes the dangers faced by human crews in rough offshore environments. Additionally, as smaller, quieter vessels, USVs significantly reduce underwater noise, minimising disturbance to sea life.

There is also the benefit of reducing unplanned downtime by using shipboard predictive maintenance technologies to keep tabs on the performance of vital equipment and systems. Moreover, remote-controlled operations open up new job opportunities for a more diverse workforce, including people who may be restricted from travelling offshore, due to disabilities or family commitments, for example.

Kongsberg then contracted shipbuilder Trosvik Maritime to fabricate the USV. This was an unusual arrangement for Kongsberg. As Marthe Kristine Sand, Kongsberg senior project manager, explains: “Normally, Kongsberg would supply the systems directly to the yard for outfitting – but this time, the yard acted as our subcontractor. This meant we were able to offer REACH REMOTE 1 as a complete package, including the vessel, its systems and navcom package.” Sand, Døving and Kongsberg senior ship designer Erik Leenders (who headed up the USV’s design) oversaw the development of the newbuild from the earliest design phase to the fabrication stage.

REACH REMOTE 1 isn’t just dependent on its ROV for underwater tasks; the USV can also perform its own surveys, using two Kongsberg EM2040 multibeam echosounders and a Topas PS120 sub-bottom profiler, which can gather data up to 500m-deep. The ROV is an electric work-class ZEEROV model, produced by Norwegian tech specialist Kystdesign. Rated 150hp (112kW), the vehicle measures 2.75m x 1.7m x 1.69m, weighs 3,800kg and can carry up to 600kg of sensors and scientific equipment. The ZEEROV can descend to depths of 2,000m, and has been specially developed for 30 days’ worth of prolonged immersion, matching the USV’s range.

Described by Leenders as “the heart of the vessel”, the ROV LARS has been customised for crew-free operations, deploying the ROV beneath the surface through a 5m x 3m moonpool. Døving adds: “The umbilical that runs with the ROV is also a lifting umbilical with a SWL of 8.6tonnes. So, in principle, it acts like a winch. We could use the LARS with any drone or underwater vehicle that fits.”

The engine room houses two Volvo Penta diesel engines with permanent magnet motors, which provide power for both the vessel and the ROV. Kongsberg supplied the USV’s two lithium-ion battery banks, which can be used for peak shaving and added redundancy in the event of engine failure, or to power the vessel in pure-electric mode. Running solely on batteries would limit the vessel’s endurance somewhat – perhaps to between half a day and a day, Leenders estimates – but this is an important feature should the boat have to enter eco-sensitive areas. The USV uses two ZF azimuthing thrusters, one fore and one aft, to maintain its DP2 dynamic positioning capability.

One of the most significant shifts in the maritime sector has been the consideration of nuclear energy as a potential fuel for commercial vessels. In just six to seven years, this idea has transformed from an unlikely prospect to one gaining considerable support in various circles.

A fuel energy comparison produced by class society Lloyd’s Register has concluded that uranium and thorium, both potent nuclear fuels, can generate over 80.6 million MJ and 79.4 million kilojoules (KJ)/kg respectively, compared to 142KJ/kg for hydrogen, 46KJ/kg for diesel fuel and 19KJ/kg for liquid ammonia. In the energy stakes, nuclear power clearly has a lot to deliver to an industry that’s up against fast-approaching emissions deadlines and, in many cases, tight budgets.

One expert watching these developments closely is Jonathan E. Stephens, professional nuclear engineer and manager at BWX Technologies (BWXT), who delivered a presentation, Nuclear Technology for Commercial Maritime Propulsion, at the RINA President’s Invitation Lecture in London in November 2024. For Stephens, it’s not a case of whether the wider maritime sector embraces nuclear power, but when.

“We’ve seen a definite shift in civil maritime, driven by the IMO decarbonisation mandates,” Stephens tells The Naval Architect. “A lot of shipping companies are looking at ways they can meet the 100% decarbonisation target and concluding that there are no other viable options.

“The only ways operators can meet that target is either with e-fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, or an onboard nuclear plant. With the former, you need to show that you’re generating those fuels with emissions-free sources of energy – and that’s an entire other challenge. So, many ship operators are concluding that it’s at least worth looking at onboard nuclear plants, especially as this technology has been installed on vessels before.”

Nuclear power at sea is nothing new, of course. Navies have been tapping this energy source to fuel submarine and aircraft carrier operations since the 1950s. It’s not as simple as transferring submarine reactor tech to the ferry, cruise ship, yacht and container ship sectors, though. Stephens explains: “Naval vessels can run on nuclear plants for a very long time without refuelling – up to 20 years, typically – but that’s because they are using highly-enriched uranium [HEU].” In fact, he adds, most of these military ships use what we might call ‘weapon-grade’ uranium, having been enriched to contain more than 90% of the uranium-235 (U-235) isotope. “That’s the type of stuff that, if you have the wherewithal to do so, you can use to build a bomb,” Stephens says, “so, for proliferation reasons, it’s not really on the table for commercial use.”

In contrast, most commercial powerplants on land use low-enriched uranium (LEU), which usually features U-235 isotope content as low as 5%. For commercial vessels, though, Stephens sees highassay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) as the most viable option. This is uranium that has a U-235 content higher than 5% but lower than 20%, which can be added to the ‘Gen-IV’ range of advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs).

“HALEU is enriched to just under 20% because that’s the threshold at which it’s considered a proliferation issue,” says Stephens. “So, most of the advanced reactor concepts out rely on the use of HALEU. The downside is that HALEU features one-fifth of the enrichment of HEU, so you’re also going to get shorter cycle lengths out of it.” While not widely used commercially yet, HALEU is steadily being adopted by various industries; to produce medical isotopes, for example.

A major advantage of nuclear power for ships is that once a nuclear reactor has been installed on board, the ship has enough fuel to last for the entire operational lifespan of the reactor’s design cycle, Stephens says. This contrasts with sourcing e-fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen at regular intervals, as the supply chains for these alternative fuels are still underdeveloped in places. “For the earlier reactors that are out there, I would guess we’re talking five-year cycles,” he adds. “Ideally, you would line that up with the vessel’s overhaul schedule anyway, and either replace the reactor’s entire core or refuel the core – but you wouldn’t need to do anything fuel-wise in the interim.”

Stephens is especially excited about some of the opportunities that the emergent Gen-IV reactors may offer. “Some of the advanced reactor concepts out there aren’t quite ready for prime time yet,” he says, “but we envision that one day we’ll have reactors capable of continuous online refuelling.” This is a design feature where the operator can keep the reactor running at full power while adding new fuel and removing spent fuel, thereby avoiding downtime. It would also enable users to extend the reactor’s operational cycle – just as one tops up a car with diesel as required, without first draining the whole tank.

“These reactors would either take fuel in the form of billiard-ball-sized pieces, or in a liquid form,” Stephens predicts. However, he concedes, continuous online refuelling at sea would be a technically challenging process, and comes with safety and training issues. “I think we’re years away from that at the moment,” he says.

Another key issue for shipowners considering nuclear power is deciding from where they would obtain the nuclear reactors or fuel. As Stephens points out, this would largely depend on each shipowner’s location and their country’s government policy, in the absence of an international regulatory framework. “There are still a lot of unanswered questions,” says Stephens. “This is why we’re trying to push this first inside the US or UK; it’ll be easier than trying to figure out how this will work internationally, especially when you start talking about countries that don’t even have a nuclear regulator.”

Additionally, he sees the reactor installation process as being hassle-free. “The thinking is, you would build the vessel without the nuclear reactor in it, then bring the vessel to either an existing port in the US or UK that has been outfitted to support it – or maybe to a special port built specifically for the purpose of installing nuclear reactors,” he says. “These advanced reactors are largely factory-manufactured, so it wouldn’t take a big construction effort on site.

“The manufacturer would make the package and then you would ‘drop it in’ to where it’s going to go aboard the vessel. So, it’s a relatively straightforward operation, especially given what these vessels and shipyards are used to doing in terms of handling installations. There’s no radioactivity in a fresh reactor core, so there would be no real problem regarding exposure to radiation.”

With more than 1,000 newbuilds and decades of high-speed action under its belt, sports boat brand Performance Marine is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with the launch of the Performance 90X: a design intended to comprise a “perfect fusion of brute force and absolute control”, the company says.

Getting to this stage has been quite the ride; the company and its various designs passed through several hands over the years before reaching its current German owners, Frauke and Stefan von Klebelsberg, who are now restructuring operations to future-proof Performance Marine’s output.

The 90X is heavily influenced by the hull of the group’s previous, 9m-long Performance 907 sports cruiser: a planing design, built in PVC. The revamped 90X was handled by German yacht design and engineering studio iYacht, which was responsible for both the design and the engineering of the new boat. iYacht encountered a few challenges – not least being the deck, an intricate structure comprising nearly 20 moulded parts.

Udo Hafner, iYacht CEO, tells The Naval Architect: “The deck itself is highly sophisticated, incorporating a wide range of functional and comfort elements. To ensure both safety and stability, our team of designers and engineers worked in close collaboration throughout the entire process, synchronising all aspects of the design.

“We were directly involved with the tooling company, ensuring that every detail was meticulously refined to meet the highest standards. This hands-on approach allowed us to optimise the modular construction, guaranteeing precision and structural integrity while maintaining the performance and aesthetic that define the 90X.”

The 90X boat’s propulsion system offers several options, including inboard Mercury MerCruiser engines with power outputs ranging from 430-1,130hp (approximately 320-843kW), coupled with a Bravo One XR drive. The variations include: two MerCruiser V6, 4.5litre-displacement models, with a total output of 500hp; two V8, 6.2litre-displacement models with a total output of 700hp; two V8, 8.2litre-displacement models with a total output of 860hp; or two V8, 8.7litre-displacement units with a total outputof 1,130hp.

The boat’s top speed comes to an eye-watering 70knots. “The Mercury Zero Effort DTS system replaces traditional throttle and shift cables with cutting-edge digital precision, delivering instantaneous throttle response,” iYacht adds. “This advanced technology ensures an unmatched driving experience with ultra-fast performance.” Future customers can opt for a joystick piloting system, integrating engines, gearboxes, steering and thrusters into a single unit,  for greater ease of handling and, especially, docking.

The 90X cockpit was designed with a keyless ignition system that doubles as a wireless engine cut-off switch in an emergency. The onboard infotainment system includes multiple screens across the boat, enabling passengers, the driver and co-pilot to check the vessel’s speed, while a dedicated boat app enables users to remotely monitor battery and fuel levels, or to even change the lighting and start cooling onboard drinks, using smart devices on shore.

As part of its design remit, iYacht also optimised the available onboard space, allowing the designer to  produce a cabin with a net headroom of 1.75m and a king-sized bed. iYacht designer Joachim Benders comments: “I spent a great deal of time focusing on ergonomics—exploring the relationship between function, space, and people. I carefully analyse how guests move onboard, and assess how the design translates into real-world experiences for users.”

TECHNICAL PARTICULARS: Performance 90X

Length, oa: 9.15m / Breadth: 2.6m / Draught: 0.43m / Max power: 832kW / Max speed: 70knots / Fuel capacity: 600litres / Water capacity: 117litres / Passengers: 8 / Design category: B

The three new surface effect ships (SES) recently delivered by Strategic Marine to Angola’s Energy Craft fleet are remarkable in more ways than one: sea trials demonstrated a top speed of 53knots but at a similar nautical-mile fuel consumption as far slower boats, writes Stevie Knight. The Crewliner 35 also delivers personnel without making them feel as if they’ve been travelling by cocktail shaker. However, the design’s inception was actually sparked by two dramatic crashes.

First, in 2014, came the sudden decline of the global oil and gas market. This meant day rates dropped like a stone for most vessels, says Eduard Ercegovic, technical director and co-founder of Aircat Vessels – who was then managing a fleet of chartered vessels for an offshore support company. The second was the 2016 Super Puma helicopter disaster in Norway, which claimed the lives of all 13 on board. This was followed by a sudden fall in helicopter availability.

Further, in the background was the ageing state of the long-range, 60-90-pax fast crew vessel (FCV) fleet – the vessel types that Ercegovic often chartered. The speed asked of FCVs means they can’t run forever, he explains: “They just get exhausted.” That left a niche in the market: what was needed was a more cost-effective alternative to helicopter transport and a more efficient, faster boat than a standard FCV.

So, Ercegovic and his colleague, Aircat Vessels managing director Jérôme Arnold, partnered with Norwegian naval architecture firm and SES specialist ESNA to create the Aircat 35 Crewliner. These vessels are basically a cross between a hovercraft and a catamaran; they generate an air cushion between the hulls to reduce resistance by lifting up to 80% of the boat’s weight out of the water. The effect is to reduce the vessel’s draught from 2.4m to a mere 0.8m.

This is achieved by a pair of large, 478kW fans, integrated into the forward half of the hulls. “These are not really custom-made – they’re actually the same blowers that you use for factory ventilation,” Ercegovic reveals. The dual fans push the air into the cushion that’s captured between two skirts; one fore, one aft of the boat’s high tunnel – but these have quite different characteristics. The forward skirt matches the bow angle and is made up of seven vertical, finger-like folds all nestled together, rather than a single sheet. If one of these fingers gets damaged, it will naturally deflate – but its sisters will automatically crowd in to take up the space, providing redundancy.

The rear skirt is very different and better described as a tiered structure of horizontal bags, maintained at just a little more pressure than the main cushion. These stern lobes, with the help of two vents, passively adapt to the waves by forming and reforming around the waves, to reduce pitching and a certain amount of roll – although that’s also minimised by the vessel’s 13.9m beam.

However, the main cushion is more actively modulated by four damper cassettes (vents) controlled by a computerised SES management system, which gathers data from multiple pressure sensors in the tunnel and from a motion reference unit (MRU). Since the electric actuators that open and close the dampers allow instant adjustment, the result is high-speed ride control.

“You can change the setting to maximise the lift and minimise the draught when you are going full speed in relatively calm seas,” says Ercegovic, adding that this leaves just enough draught for the propulsion and cooling to be effective. It’s also possible to dial it down since different, preset modes allow the crew to choose a ‘ride control sensitivity’. “There is some penalty to the speed if you increase the comfort, but it’s usually just a few knots,” Ercegovic says.

Canada’s minister of national defence Bill Blair has announced the award of an implementation contract to Irving Shipbuilding for construction of a new class of destroyers, to be known as the River class. The River-class destroyers will replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers and 12 Halifax-class frigates with a single ship that can handle multiple threats. At present, 15 examples of the vessels are expected to be built.

The design is based on BAE Systems’ Type 26 warship, which is being built by the UK for the Royal Navy, a variant of which is also being built for Australia as the Hunter-class frigate. The first three Canadian ships will be named Fraser, Saint-Laurent and Mackenzie.

The new vessels will have a length overall of 151.4m, a beam of 20.75m and a speed of 27knots. They will displace 7,800tonnes, have a maximum navigational draught of 8m and a range of 7,000nm. With accommodation for 210 personnel, they will have the capability to embark a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, plus space for embarking remotely piloted systems.

The new destroyers will use a variant of the Aegis combat system with Cooperative Engagement Capability, and will be equipped with lightweight torpedoes, the Rolling Airframe Missile air defence system, two stabilised rapid-fire 30mm naval gun systems and surface-to-surface anti-ship missiles. Their primary air defence system will take the form of vertical launch systems for the Raytheon Standard Missile 2 and Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles. They will have reconfigurable mission and boat bays and a combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) propulsion system based on a Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine, four Rolls-Royce MTU diesel generators and GE electric motors.

The initial implementation contract is for an agreed contract period of six years, with a contract extension to follow as the successful construction progresses.

The Government of Canada has established the cost to build and deliver the first three ships at C$22.2 billion (US$15.4 billion). This estimate includes the costs that will be paid to Irving Shipbuilding through the implementation contract, as well as costs associated with the delivery of the equipment, systems and ammunition that Canada will acquire to bring the first three ships into service. It is estimated that the implementation contract will contribute C$719.3 million annually to Canada’s GDP and create or maintain 5,250 jobs annually between 2025-2039.

“By investing in our own industry, Canadian workers are helping to build the fleet of the future, equipping the Navy and our members in uniform modern and versatile ships they need for Canada’s important contributions to peace and security at home, and abroad,” said Blair.

To help bring the River-class vessels into service and support them throughout their lifecycle, the Department of National Defence (DND) is building a land-based testing facility on a portion of DND-owned land in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Construction is expected to begin this summer, with completion expected in 2027.

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, UK and the Japanese Floating Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work towards reducing risks and costs related to floating offshore wind.

The MoU, signed in Tokyo on 7 March, follows nine months of collaboration between ORE Catapult and FLOWRA. The initiative will cover areas such as personnel exchange, standardisation of component technologies and the creation of a “test and demonstration alliance” to develop technology on a large scale, ORE Catapult says. The MoU coincides with a wider recent co-operation between the UK and Japanese governments with regard to the development of these turbine types.

Jonathan Reynolds MP, UK secretary of state for business and trade, comments: “This partnership with Japan will turbocharge the development of this vital renewable energy. International partnerships like this will attract investment and deliver long-term, stable growth that supports skilled jobs and raises living standards across the UK, making our ‘Plan for Change’ a reality.”

The UK government’s Plan for Change aims to “make Britain a clean energy superpower” while kickstarting new economic opportunities for domestic businesses. The ORE Catapult-FLOWRA MoU will ultimately combine “UK R&D capability” and “Japanese industrial manufacturing capacity” for a surge in floating offshore wind technology development, ORE Catapult adds.

As well as providing economic benefits for each country, a robust offshore floating wind capability will bolster energy security for the UK and Japan, while assisting both to pursue their decarbonisation goals, adds Dr Cristina Garcia-Duffy, director of research and technical capabilities at ORE Catapult. For example, the Japanese government has set ambitious targets of 10GW of offshore capacity by 2030, increasing to 45GW by 2040. Floating wind turbines are expected to play a significant role here, due to Japan’s limited availability of shallow-water sites for fixed-bottom turbines.
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Additionally, the UK government’s British Energy Security Strategy, rolled out in 2022 in response to gas supply disruption in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, aims to generate 60GW of electricity from offshore wind sources by 2030, an estimated 5GW of which would be supplied by floating offshore wind turbines.

Norway-based Kongsberg Maritime has secured a leading role in a project to convert the double-ended car ferry MF Hamlet to battery-powered operation. The conversion of the 111.2m ferry, which is operated by Öresundslinjen on the route between Helsingør, Denmark, and Helsingborg, Sweden, will include the installation of battery packs and new permanent magnet motors for the azimuth thrusters.

Kongsberg says: “The primary goals of the project include achieving zero emissions, enabling full electric operation with batteries and having mechanical propulsion redundancy. The ferry will utilise high-voltage charging in port, taking only eight to 12 minutes, with low-voltage charging via gensets as an alternative.”

Kongsberg will also rebuild the existing thrusters and convert them to electric operation, installing new permanent magnet motors for each of the four main azimuth thrusters, each rated 1,530kW. The company adds that it will “provide a comprehensive energy, automation and control package, which includes interface to the main switchboard, retrofitting the K-Chief 600 to the new K-Chief system with an energy management system, and implementing Mcon thruster control with control chairs on the two bridges”.

Energy storage systems will be supplied by Echandia directly to the owner, while the Oresund Drydocks shipyard will handle the mechanical aspects of the conversion. The installation company, SH Group, will produce and install new deck houses and handle the cabling and wiring work.

The conversion job is scheduled to start in November this year at Oresund Drydocks, but the vessel will visit the yard later this month for preparation work during a scheduled maintenance docking. 

IHC Dredging has been contracted to supply two Beaver 65-class cutter suction dredgers to PT. Dua Samudera Perkasa, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Jhonlin Group.

PT. Dua Samudera Perkasa previously took delivery of a Beaver 65, Jhoni 59, in August 2024. That vessel is now working at the coal transport and biodiesel terminal at Batulicin, South Kalimantan, alongside the Beagle 4-class dredger Samson, which IHC delivered to Jhonlin Group in 2023.

The Beaver 65 design features a length overall of 58m, a 12.4m beam and a depth of 2.97m. The dredger type has an average draught of 1.9m (max 2.02m) and more than 2,800kW of installed power.

Like other vessels in the Beaver 65 class, the new duo will be equipped with 650mm-diameter suction/discharge pipes. However, while these dredger types typically have a maximum dredging depth of 18m, this has been extended to 25m max for the new pair.

IHC Dredging adds that each new dredger will be equipped with upgrades including: a fuel separation system; a “state-of-the-art” radioactive production measurement system; and a dredge track presentation system (DTPS) with an accuracy of up to 20mm, providing the dredge operator with a digital overview of the hopper, cutter, excavator, clamshell and bucket line dredges. The two newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in September this year.

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) says it plans to use Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service as a tool to accelerate licensing processes for nuclear in maritime applications.

The idea is to use the Azure OpenAI platform to analyse historic nuclear licensing data, which should help licensing engineers to draft new permit documents far more quickly, LR anticipates. The platform will also enable engineers to search for “regulations, precedents and other valuable information buried in large regulatory datasets” in a comparatively timely manner, LR says.

Jeff Scott, LR deputy chief technology and innovation officer, comments: “Regulations shouldn’t be a roadblock to innovation—they should be a launchpad. By teaming up with Microsoft, we’re using AI to cut through the red tape and fast-track the future of nuclear in maritime. It’s an exciting step toward making clean energy a reality on the water.”

Mark Tipping, LR’s global offshore power-to-X director, adds: “We have a large data source from decades of regulatory applications, which these AI capabilities can interrogate swiftly to identify good practice and lessons learned. Together, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in deploying nuclear technology, which is navigating complex, slow and costly licensing processes.

“Collaborating with Microsoft provides us with an excellent opportunity to combine two very different areas of expertise: their AI capabilities; and our vast history and knowledge of maritime and nuclear safety.”

One claimed benefit of the Azure OpenAI Service is the ability for end users to ask direct questions instead of writing complex database queries. When used in conjunction with Microsoft’s Azure AISearch, users can search through vast repositories of historic data, including documents, PDFs and databases, using keyword and semantic search capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers has launched its Review Committee of Nuclear Energy Utilization in Maritime Industries. Set to run for two years, the Review Committee, headed by Taiga Mitsuyuki, associate professor at Yokohama National University, will analyse the various barriers to maritime nuclear (including technical challenges, public acceptance and financial viability) and how to overcome them, using domestic and international case studies for reference.

The domestic case studies will include input from persons involved in the development of the 130m, nuclear-powered Japanese vessel Mutsu, which was launched in 1969. Built by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (now IHI Corporation) and originally powered by a pressurised water reactor (PWR), Mutsu was subject to criticism, and particularly so from local fishermen, after a minor radiation leak during its first test run in 1974. The programme was shelved, and the PWR removed in 1995, with the vessel being repurposed as the oceanographic research ship Mirai.

The Review Committee says it will wrap up its work in November 2026.

Singapore shipyard group Seatrium has turned in an impressive set of results in its first full year of operations since its creation, following the merger of the Sembcorp Marine and Keppel O&M shipyard operations in April 2023. The company achieved an underlying net profit of S$200 million (US$148.3 million) in 2024, compared with a loss of $S28 million in 2023. Revenues surged 27% year-on-year to S$9.2 billion.

One of the driving forces behind the improved results was the performance of its ship repair division, which achieved a 7% increase in revenues to S$1.1 billion. The company worked on a total of 231 ship repair and refit projects during the year, compared with 291 in 2023, thereby achieving a significant increase in the average value of work per vessel.

Chris Ong, Seatrium CEO, says: “Marine decarbonisation and fleet rejuvenation continue to drive demand in this part of our business.” The company recently completed a contract to retrofit the first onboard carbon capture and storage system (CCSS) on board the 160m LPG tanker Clipper Eris for Solvang, as a result of which the vessel will be able to store up to 70% of its carbon emissions on board. Seatrium has recently secured a second CCSS retrofit contract for Mitsui OSK Lines.

Seatrium has also taken steps to strengthen its repeat customer base with regard to ship repair and retrofit work. Over the past year, the company has signed or renewed four favoured customer contracts (FCCs), taking the number of such agreements in place to two as of March 2025. Ong adds: “These FCC contracts are important as they provide us with revenue visibility and enable forward capacity planning.”

Oil and filter changes at 250 or even 500 hours, as recommended in manufacturers’ maintenance manuals, make for a demanding service schedule. However, the introduction of the Fleetguard filtration monitoring system, FleetguardFIT™, proved service intervals could safely be extended to 1500 hours for M/S Hendrika, a dry cargo vessel. This reduced engine maintenance costs by approximately half for ship owners, the de Boer family, based in the Netherlands. Prior to the FleetguardFIT installation, the de Boers serviced the engine oil and filters every 800 hours.

FleetguardFIT, which stands for Filtration Intelligence Technology, monitors filters and engine oil health in real time using smart sensing, state-of-the-art algorithms, cloud computing, and on-board diagnostics. Developed by Atmus Filtration Technologies, this system optimizes filter and oil life. Servicing only when needed saves time and money and avoids unnecessary downtime. In addition, the de Boers discovered that the increase in efficiency provided by FleetguardFIT reduced environmental impact which could help them win more business.

M/S Hendrika

Engine

M/S Hendrika is the first marine vessel in the Netherlands with FleetguardFIT. Installed on the 1,000 HP engine are two LED air filter restriction indicators, an oil quality sensor, and differential pressure sensors for the lubrication filter and the fuel water separator.

Following installation, the de Boers have been able to monitor oil and filters through the FleetguardFIT portal. The color-coded dashboard displays any actions required and the remaining useful life of all monitored consumables. For fleet owners, equipment status can be viewed per vessel, enabling them to track maintenance events and consumable performance over time. One notable aspect of the portal is its critical alert feature. M/S Hendrika avoided costly downtime thanks to a critical air filter alert from FleetguardFIT.

FleetguardFIT can also provide third parties, such as insurance companies, with proof that oil and filter changes have been carried out on time, critical alerts have been responded to promptly, and oil quality has always been correct during the engine’s operating hours.

Paul Louwe, senior technical support engineer for Atmus Filtration Technologies says, “The right filters on high horsepower engines can last two to even eight times longer than manufacturer’s recommendations. Furthermore, predictive maintenance based on real-world conditions can save thousands in unplanned downtime per vessel per year, which can be significant for a fleet owner.”

Although not part of a fleet of vessels, for M/S Hendrika, the benefits of the condition-based monitoring system are clear. As well as meeting the original goal of reducing maintenance costs by extending the life of the oil and filters, it has helped extend equipment life and maximize uptime, while lowering the environmental impact of the business.

FleetguardFIT is suitable for air, oil and fuel filters, and lube oil on diesel and natural gas engines and can be used on other types of non-classed inland-waterway vessels, such as passenger ships and carriers of other types of cargo.

For more information about FleetguardFIT, visit Fleetguard.com

Fleetguard, a brand of Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc., is a leading brand in advanced filtration solutions, offering a wide range of products such as fuel filters, lube filters, air filters, crankcase ventilation, hydraulic filters and coolants.

As something of a stellar year for ship production, 2024 saw a 38% year-on-year increase in orders for alternative-fuelled newbuilds, totalling 515 ships, according to data released by DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform.

The AFI data suggests that container ship orders led the charge, with 69% of these orders opting for alt-fuels, predominantly (67%) LNG. Container vessels and car carriers accounted for 62% of all green-fuel orders last year, indicating that the maritime sector is taking decarbonisation seriously. The data also shows that 166 new orders opted for methanol as a fuel, comprising 32% of the AFI order book. Of these methanol orders, 85 were placed in the container ship segment.

Ammonia-fuel vessel orders were also on the up, increasing from eight in 2023 to 27 last year. However, the AFI data underscores that LNG emerged as the industry’s alt-fuel of choice in 2024, accounting for 264 orders; a significant increase on the 130 orders recorded in 2023. The data also highlights that the number of LNG-fuelled ships in service increased to 641 by the end of 2024, with a record number of deliveries (169) of these vessel types recorded in this period. DNV anticipates the number of LNG-powered ships in operation to double by the end of the decade.

This growth has been accompanied by an expansion of LNG bunkering infrastructure, with the number of LNG bunker vessels increasing from 52 in 2023 to 64 last year. However, DNV notes, there is still a demand-supply gap, which is “expected to widen over the next five years, based on the orderbook”. The class society adds: “With the EU regulatory package ‘Fit for 55’ setting requirements on a large network of ports to have LNG bunkering infrastructure, it is expected that the availability of LNG in ports will increase.”

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, maritime at DNV, comments: “While recent figures are promising, we must keep pushing forward. The technological transition is underway, but supply of alternative fuel is still low. As an industry, we need to work with fuel suppliers and other stakeholders to ensure that shipping has access to its share of alternative fuels. It is also important that the safety of seafarers is ensured as we make this transition. This will require investment in upskilling and training.”

DNV shortly followed up on its AFI findings with the publication of a white paper entitled Biofuels in Shipping, in which it assessed biofuels such as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and HVO. This paper concludes that both biofuels have significant potential for reducing GHG emissions, thereby aiding compliance with CII, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime. However, the paper warns, widespread adoption of biofuels is limited by the availability of sustainable, affordable biomass and competition from other sectors.

In 2023, the paper notes, biofuels constituted just 0.3% of shipping’s total energy use. The paper highlights the need for shipowners to consider alt-fuels alongside biofuels, given that biofuel use in shipping mostly involves blending with traditional fuels. Going forward, it will also be important to develop technical and operational considerations for using biofuels as drop-in fuels, accounting for factors such as fuel quality, system compatibility and performance monitoring, the paper cautions.

Coincidentally, 2024 saw Singapore record a surge in alternative fuels adoption, with sales of alt-fuels surpassing 1.3 million tonnes for the first time. Figures released by the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reveal increases in bunkering sales for biofuels (up 68.5% to 883,000tonnes), LNG (up 318.9% to 464,000tonnes), methanol (2,000tonnes) and ammonia (9.74tonnes).

The MPA is proactively pushing decarbonisation in its waters. For example, under the terms of the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative (MSGI), the MPA has pledged to provide up to 100% port dues concession to any oceangoing vessel calling at the Port of Singapore that uses zero-emissions fuels and technology (including battery power), zero-carbon fuel or certain low-carbon-content fuels and biofuels, until 31 December 2027.

Orkney-based Green Marine is expanding its range of in-house subsea O&M services by investing an undisclosed but seven-figure sum into the creation of a Subsea Services Department, focused on underwater maintenance across UK offshore wind farms.

The new department, which will open in late spring, aims to meet growing demand in an O&M market projected to reach £270 million by 2030, Green Marine says. The department will introduce a range of services, including: general visual inspections; 3D surveys, incorporating real-time simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) analysis; evaluations of the physical, biological and geological conditions of specific marine sites; and O&M monitoring, with a focus on subsea cables/pipelines and offshore structures.

Jason Schofield, Green Marine MD, says: “While this entails an initial seven-figure capital investment, the longer-term company strategy is to continue investing and expanding way into the future. We benefit from a strategic location in Orkney with the world’s second-largest installed offshore wind capacity on our doorstep.” He tells The Naval Architect that a new team will be employed to support the rollout of the department, adding at least three to four full-time jobs. “This will expand quickly as the department and equipment utilisation grow too,” Schofield says.

Green Marine recently received a cash injection from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which will be used to purchase subsea technology like ROVs and sensors. For example, the company has invested in the VALOR ROV, supplied by Rovtech (which acquired the VALOR line from Seatronics in January). This 860mm-long ROV is rated for a depth of 300m and has a maximum payload capacity of 21kg. Green Marine also intends to shop for tech from companies such as Sonardyne, Norbit, Voyis, Tritech, Digital Edge Subsea and EIVA.

Elaborating on the Subsea Services Department’s purpose, Myles Metson, Green Marine operations and technology director, says: “Ultimately, this means we are not reliant on equipment availability or unknown personnel. We can ensure rapid mobilisation and reduced overheads during off periods. It also relieves a major headache for our clients when reliant on a multitude of equipment, operators and expertise to deliver complex services.”

Green Marine has previously been involved in projects across offshore wind farms including Dogger Bank, Moray East and Triton Knoll, among others. The company also provides crew transfer and dive support services.

Italy’s Fincantieri, one of Europe’s premier cruise shipbuilders, has achieved considerable success of late in this sector. Recently, its Monfalcone shipyard delivered the 160,000gt Mein Schiff Relax, the first of two environmentally friendly InTUItion-class cruise ships with dual-fuel (LNG and MGO) capability that Fincantieri is building for this shipowner. The sister ship will set sail in mid-2026.

The new design features: catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 emissions standards; a generative turbine, using the residual heat from the diesel generators; and an electrical shore-power connection. The vessel is also equipped with an innovative waste treatment system capable of transforming organic materials into recyclable components through a thermal process.

Fincantieri also confirms that a letter of intent signed with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) last year has been converted into a firm order for four new cruise ships, each approximately 226,000gt. These vessels, the largest ever built for NCL, will also be constructed at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard, with deliveries scheduled for 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036. This order strengthens the long-standing partnership between Fincantieri and NCL, with Norwegian Aqua, the first unit in the Prima Plus class, set for delivery in the next few months. Additionally, three other vessels are currently in various stages of design and construction.

Alongside its thriving cruise newbuilding activities, Fincantieri has been busy in recent months with several significant vessel refit and upgrade projects. In September 2024, the company completed an important drydock project, including the overhaul of the davits and thruster, and the refurbishment of the laundry, on the Princess Cruises Island Princess. Then, from October to November, Fincantieri undertook a complex engine room overhaul aboard Caribbean Princess in Palermo. Additionally, it carried out mechanical work on the propulsion system, and significant engine maintenance for Costa Deliziosa in its Trieste yard. Then, towards the end of 2024, Fincantieri completed essential maintenance, and five-year class checks, for Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady in Palermo.

Many of these cruise refit and repair projects have had a clear environmental focus. A notable example involved the installation of the advanced wastewater system for Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper in Trieste. Furthermore, on many projects, Fincantieri applied silicone paint to reduce friction, save fuel and make the vessels’ cruises more energy-efficient. Fincantieri also has a contract to implement high-voltage shore connection (HVSC) systems on four cruise ships to enable them to shut down their engines during port stays, and is carrying out engineering studies to assess the viability of retrofitting existing cruise vessels to run on methanol or HVO.

Now, Fincantieri seems set to enjoy another busy year for its cruise refit activities. In March and April 2025, it plans back-to-back drydockings of Majestic Princess and Emerald Princess, including five-year class special surveys, hull blasting and silicone painting, thruster and stabiliser overhauls, scrubber work, steel repairs and the installation of new air lubrication and membrane bioreactor systems. The work will also include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-associated upgrades for cabins and public spaces. All of these work packages will be undertaken at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard.

In Q3 2025, MSC Lirica and Viking Sea will visit Fincantieri yards for special class survey renewals and planned maintenance activities, while, in November, Silver Muse will undergo a series of conversions and modifications, together with scheduled maintenance works, in Palermo.

Fincantieri is currently investing to enhance its logistics capabilities for cruise projects in Trieste and Palermo, with the aim of improving warehousing, materials handling, maintenance scheduling and transportation for both inbound and outbound logistics. These investments are expected to lead to greater operational efficiency, minimise waste and ensure timely deliveries for clients and suppliers. Additionally, the company is strengthening its Miami subsidiary, Fincantieri Services USA, to provide cruise operators with quick responses to their specific requirements, including ship inspections and onboard assistance for repair and refurbishment activities in North America.

Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled a new range of naval support vessels. The Logistics Support Ship (LSS) design consists of two vessel types, the LSS 9000 and LSS 11000, which are 127m and 140m in length respectively.

“The vessels will be equipped with NATO-standard replenishment-at-sea technology, and will have roll-on/roll-off capability and substantial cargo transportation capacity,” says Damen. They are designed to facilitate the efficient transfer and transport of fuel, munitions, provisions, personnel and other essential supplies, enabling fleets to remain operational during extended deployments.

Damen adds: “With a modular design, the LSS can be easily and rapidly configured and upgraded for special operational requirements, such as disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and training exercises.

“A key feature of the LSS is the ability to operate in diverse maritime environments, from the open ocean to littoral waters. This versatility arises from an advanced design and engineering process and the combination of both military and commercial technology, a combination that helps to reduce OPEX and CAPEX.”

In addition to operational efficiency, and in line with the ambitions of many navies, the LSS design has a focus on sustainability, with the vessels fitted with propulsions systems that will reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Damen commercial manager for defence and security Piet van Rooij says: “We have developed the LSS based on discussions with our naval clients around the world. As such, we are confident they represent an appropriate response to the operational challenges they are facing, now and in the future. The LSS offers enhanced capabilities, efficiency and sustainability at a very competitive price.”

A report jointly issued by tech firm CORE POWER, marine insurer NorthStandard and class society Lloyd’s Register (LR) paints an optimistic picture for the safe development and installation of small nuclear reactors aboard commercial ships and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) in the UK – provided the government gets behind the effort.

The paper, entitled Advanced Maritime Nuclear: A Unique Opportunity for the UK, argues that the Department for Transport must incorporate nuclear-fuelled vessels and FNPPs into an updated version of its Clean Maritime Plan, to meet IMO greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets and to benefit from a £2.5 trillion economic opportunity, potentially revitalising the UK shipbuilding segment.

Over the past five years, attitudes toward using nuclear energy as ship’s fuel have shifted significantly. Since the 1950s, nuclear reactors have powered multiple warships and submarines. However, the concept of installing small reactors aboard commercial vessels, such as ferries, cruise ships, OSVs or superyachts, was generally discounted, largely because of nuclear power’s ‘bad’ reputation.

However, rising energy costs, plus growing doubts about the accessibility of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, HVO, methanol and ammonia, have sparked new interest in nuclear energy for ships. A small but growing band of shipping professionals now view the deployment of small modular reactors aboard commercial vessels as one of the most likely means of meeting IMO’s plan to realise net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050.

Additionally, at COP 28, hosted in Dubai in 2023, the UK pledged to triple nuclear energy generation with the launch of its Civil Nuclear Roadmap to 2050 – a publication that included nuclear-fuelled ships on the agenda. In December 2022, the UK’s Merchant Shipping (Nuclear Ships) Regulations came into effect, accompanied by Marine Guidance Note on nuclear ships MGN 679 (M), which addresses areas such as safety assessments, design and construction, radiation safety and reactor installation suitability.

In the foreword to the recent joint paper, British hereditary peer and shipbroker Lord Mountevans writes: “The UK has the skills, expertise and history of innovation to lead the development of nuclear-powered shipping. By leveraging our decades of experience with small reactors for the Royal Navy, we can decarbonise maritime transport, create jobs and strengthen Britain’s position as a clean energy world power. This is a unique opportunity for the UK.”

The paper also proposes that nuclear-powered ships could feed energy back into land-based grids, providing electricity to homes and ports, as well as to areas affected by power blackouts. “FNPPs could also be used to alleviate the issues surrounding shore power and expensive connections to the UK national grid,” the authors state.

Outstanding insurance and regulatory gaps must also be addressed, though, the paper notes. Paul Jennings, MD of NorthStandard, comments: “The ability to commercially insure nuclear-propelled ships will be vital to the success of bringing nuclear to maritime. It is important that governments understand the need for a civil marine nuclear liability convention within the framework of IMO and work towards creating an appropriate liability regime.”

Jennings is echoed by Andy McKeran, LR’s chief commercial officer, who says: “Global regulatory alignment is crucial. Existing frameworks must be updated to reflect modern reactor designs and operational needs. The UK has the expertise to lead these efforts at IMO and with the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], setting the foundation for safe, insurable and scalable nuclear-powered shipping.”

Meanwhile, CORE POWER CEO Mikal Bøe remarks: “Maritime nuclear is the catalyst that can reverse the trajectory of the British shipping sector, creating unique competition to Chinese shipbuilding and ocean transport.” He warns: “Over time, the cost of inaction will far outweigh the cost of being the champion in this rapidly emerging market.”

The March issue of The Naval Architect features an interview with pro-nuclear advocate Dr Jonathan Stephens, manager, core design at BWX Technologies, assessing the current and future viability of small reactor installations aboard various vessel types and FNPPs

The UK shipbuilding sector needs to address significant skills shortages in AI, robotics and automation if it is to thrive in the long term, a report from National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) claims.

The report outlines the need to further adopt these three emerging technologies to enhance operations such as welding, joining and inspections in confined or hazardous spaces.

“The roles of some welders will evolve to combine traditional skills with expertise in new technologies and materials, as advanced technologies such as robotics and additive manufacturing are integrated into operations,” NMIS writes.

Greg Cranstoun, industry and skills engagement lead at NMIS, comments: “Scotland has a deep-rooted history of shipbuilding, particularly on the Clyde, but the challenges of a skills shortage apply to the whole of the UK.”

NMIS notes that, in 2022, shipbuilding contributed £3.1 billion to the UK economy, supporting more than 44,600 jobs. That year also marked the introduction of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which has called for a 50% reduction in the UK sector’s skills shortage by 2030.

“We need to ensure we have the right people with the right skills lined up to meet demand,” says Cranstoun. “Technology is only going to become more prevalent as the adoption of AI and robotics increases in all sectors, and there are significant gains that could come from using advanced equipment to improve both health and safety and productivity in shipyards.

“Manufacturers need to think ahead to the types of roles this will create, and how to equip the current workforce and future employees with the skills to take this forward.”

As for how to get there, the report calls for a “collaborative approach between industry and training providers, to design programmes that prepare workers for these hybrid roles”. This approach would include the updating (and tailoring) of existing training courses for relevance, and the development of new training courses. Stakeholders should also drive new educational standards and targeted curricula while implementing short courses and continuous professional development (CPD) programmes to plug current knowledge and skills gaps.

The report also recommends the creation of new job descriptions, including (but not limited to): quality control inspector in shipbuilding; robotics integration engineer; welding engineer; industrial equipment maintenance technician; and robotics systems design and implementation engineer, for example. These newly defined roles should help manufacturers to evaluate gaps between existing roles and future requirements, the report opines.

NMIS, which is operated by the University of Strathclyde, collaborated with Innovate UK’s Workforce Foresighting Hub to produce the report, drawing on the latter’s advanced AI tools and workshop and survey findings to capture and analyse the data. NMIS adds that these collated insights could also be adopted and acted on by other sectors, including offshore wind and oil and gas.

Meanwhile, Mantas Lukauskas, self-styled ‘AI evangelist’ at neoxis.ai, says that the current “AI gold rush era” has accelerated developments in AI and machine learning to the extent that some companies may struggle to keep up with the pace of change.

“The more models appear, the harder it becomes to keep track of them all, let alone experiment and deploy them effectively,” Lukauskas says. “However, the multi-model ambitions quickly become technically and logistically complex.” He warns that the AI landscape “will only get more crowded” in the run-up to 2030.

Lukaskaus recommends weighing up considerations such as complexity, security and compliance, performance variance and cost before committing to new AI or machine-learning tech. The best solution may be to rely on a centralised platform that can speak to multiple providers via a single interface, he continues, adding: “The real competitive advantage is to stay nimble.”

Ulstein Design & Solutions has been contracted to provide the design for a heavy-lift ship for Japanese contractor Penta-Ocean Construction (POC). The vessel will specialise in offshore wind foundation installation work within the country’s waters, and will comprise a customised version of Ulstein’s HX118 design, which features a length of 215m, a 56m beam and a maximum draught of between 7.5-10m.

The customised design includes a tub-mounted, revolving, 5,000tonne-capacity Huisman main crane, permitting heavy-duty monopile installations. The crane comes with a main hoist and a universal quick connector, and has been designed with a compact tail swing, to optimise available deck space. Huisman will also supply the ship’s monopile-handling system, which features a motion-compensated pile gripper.

Ulstein has also incorporated its U-STERN concept into the vessel’s design. The U-STERN enables longitudinal storage of large components, such as monopiles, meaning these components can be stored along the length of the ship rather than across it, thereby maximising space and preventing overhanging.

When it’s time to install these components, the U-STERN enables them to be upended (lifted vertically) directly along the ship’s centreline. The U-STERN design also allows the ship to face directly into the waves during the installation process, reducing the impact of wave motion on the ship, to make the installation process smoother and safer – as well as to reduce fuel consumption by minimising the ship’s need to compensate for wave-induced movements.

Ulstein comments: “Combining the U-STERN with transverse and longitudinal skidding systems, offshore lifts for monopiles are eliminated as the main crane is only used to support the upending and lowering of the foundation.”

Both Ulstein and POC have been tweaking the ship’s basic design since summer 2024, including a round of extensive model tests. The heavy-lifter will be built by Singapore’s Seatrium Group, with completion scheduled for May 2028 and operations set to commence in the autumn of that year, Ulstein tells The Naval Architect.