The debate over requirements definition and systems engineering continues to shape the procurement of complex naval vessels, where balancing operational needs, affordability, and technical feasibility remains a significant challenge. Growing recognition of the close relationship between requirements and design is driving calls for more integrated and iterative approaches to early-stage ship development.

Hybrid propulsion systems are attracting growing interest as shipowners seek practical pathways to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. This study demonstrates that battery-diesel-electric propulsion can be integrated into modern bulk carriers with minimal impact on cargo capacity, while careful system placement may also offer operational benefits through improved weight distribution and trim optimisation.

As environmental, safety, and regulatory expectations increase, ship recycling is under growing pressure to modernise and improve operational standards. The development of knowledge-based expert systems offers a means of supporting decision-making across the recycling process, helping stakeholders enhance safety, environmental performance, and management of increasingly complex ship dismantling activities.

As ship design projects grow in complexity, designers are increasingly seeking methods that can accommodate uncertainty and keep options open for longer. This research demonstrates how set-based design, supported by intelligent decision-support tools, can improve resilience to late-stage design changes, enabling more informed decisions and reducing the risk of costly redesign during development.

Slamming remains one of the most demanding load cases in marine structural design, with significant implications for vessel safety and durability. Improved numerical methods are enhancing the prediction of water-impact pressures and forces, providing deeper insight into the effects of hull geometry and impact conditions while supporting more robust structural assessments.