The Naval Architect provides in-depth information on all aspects of vessel design, construction and engineering. Practical applications of latest technology and case studies are accompanied by analysis and foresights. Published every two months, the magazine covers everything from superyachts and short-hop ferries to tankers and heavy-lift vessels; from battery pack installations and sail-assisted solutions to LNG tank retrofits; and from offshore safety to warship resilience.
Fuel cell technology powering up at speed
Power & Sustainability (Newsletter)
Samskip's fuel cell-powered shuttle will operate between Rotterdam and Oslo (image: Courtesy of Samskip).
Delivering maritime fuel cells that can drive deepsea shipping is not only within reach but is inevitable according to some.
Oceanbird sets sail to zero-emission target
Power & Sustainability (Newsletter)
Tirranna's Oceanbird Wing560 was installed in June (image: Wallenius Marine).
Maritime wings are taking off! The latest design from Alfa Laval and Wallenius Marine is promising to make wind the primary source of vessel power.
Solar added to roro energy mix
Power & Sustainability (Newsletter)
Wattlab's first full-scale installation on a seagoing vessel, the Vertom Tula (image: Wattlab)
Solar power has finally found its way onto ships. Slow uptake of solar energy is seen as surprising. Coastal shipping is showing that solar can improve efficiencies.
EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF AUTONOMOUS FERRIES FOR URBAN MOBILITY
Autonomous Ships
Autonomous passenger ferries could reshape urban mobility by reducing congestion and supporting more sustainable transport networks. Evaluating a proposed uncrewed ferry service in Denmark, this study examines legal, technical and commercial viability, revealing that while regulation and technology show promise, economic sustainability remains a significant challenge for large-scale deployment.
IMPLEMENTING A NEW PLATFORM INTO THE U.S. NAVY: A SYSTEMS VIEW
Autonomous Ships
Facing growing fleet-capacity challenges, the U.S. Navy is exploring a bimodal force structure that combines smaller warships with autonomous capabilities. The Lightly Manned Automated Combat Corvette offers a compelling concept, but success depends on integrating technology, doctrine and long service-life considerations across a complex system-of-systems architecture for future maritime operations.
START WITH THE WHY - THE VALUE OF MARS COMPETENCE CENTRE
Autonomous Ships
Regulating maritime autonomy demands governance that can keep pace with technological change. Examining emerging frameworks for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, this paper highlights the need for collaboration between industry and regulators. The proposed MARS Centre offers a novel model to bridge expertise gaps, support adaptive regulation and enable innovation safely.
DANELEC AND DANPILOT REMOTE PILOTING
Autonomous Ships
Remote piloting technologies are reshaping maritime navigation, enabling pilots to monitor vessels from shore-based control centres. By eliminating physical pilot transfers, the approach enhances safety, reduces operational costs, cuts fuel consumption and emissions, and improves efficiency. The initiative highlights how digital innovation can deliver safer, smarter and more sustainable shipping
An Yun - Eco chemical/oil tanker for CPC Corporation - Copy
Significant Ships
An Yun is a chemical/oil tanker that has been designed and constructed by CSBC and features energy-saving adaptations to enhance its performance.
The USV launch and recovery 'missing link'
Sealartec's ALR-S converts a standard ramp at the stern of a vessel into a fully autonomous recovery system
Sealartec's radical ALR-S technology can convert a conventional ship's stern ramp to a fully autonomous recovery system for unmanned surface vessels
'ROC + Dock' project darts towards the wrap-up phase
The prototype docking station, deployed on the River Dart in September, enables docking and recharging of South Devon College's 'USV Dart' without manual intervention
The UK-based ROC + DOCK project has brought together remote-controlled operations, a dual-function simulator and a ‘hands-off’ docking station, to encourage force multiplication of uncrewed vessels in ports and harbours
Hybrid CSOV 'Windea Clausius' joins Bernhard Schulte Offshore fleet
The 89.6m 'Windea Clausius' was "built to operate in strong currents and is less limited by weather conditions", Ulstein says
The latest addition to Bernhard Schulte Offshore’s CSOV fleet, Windea Clausius, combines a methanol-ready hybrid propulsion plant with Ulstein’s Twin X-STERN design for energy efficiency and ease of operations
Wind power for patrol boats? Ask the New Generation
The PAMNG is a 53.7m-long boat powered by a diesel-electric hybrid system and a Wisamo wingsail
We've seen wingsails applied to bulkers and tankers - but aboard a smaller patrol boat? The latest design from MAURIC, set for launch in 2027, could open up an entirely new market for wind-assisted propulsion systems
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