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Naval architecture in the electric age
4th Aug 2026
A render of a new hybrid fast ferry Chartwell is designing for the rural island community of Fair Isle. (image: Chartwell Marine Ltd).
Chartwell Marine is known for its work in the offshore wind market, but it is also expanding its work in the fast passenger ferry market, applying lessons learned from offshore vessel design right across the board.
Christophe Rident, senior naval architect, who is leading Chartwell’s expansion into the ferry sector, says electrification currently represents the most practical near-term pathway for fast ferry decarbonisation.
Chartwell has invested heavily in developing a new low-wake ferry hullform specifically optimised for electric propulsion systems and lower operating speeds in response to how electrification has fundamentally changed the design process.
"Realistically vessel operators that will be able to