Feebate mechanisms are emerging as a powerful lever for maritime decarbonisation. Using multi-agent simulation to model shipping company behaviour, this research reveals how fuel charging and incentive schemes can accelerate adoption of alternative-fuel vessels, reduce emissions and shape industry investment decisions, while highlighting the critical importance of timely policy implementation.

Enhancing passenger comfort is driving new advances in maritime vibroacoustic engineering. By combining simulation techniques such as Statistical Energy Analysis, Ray Tracing and Finite Element Modelling with innovative tools including acoustic cameras and motion amplification, designers can predict, optimise and verify noise and vibration performance, delivering quieter, more comfortable and higher-quality onboard experiences.

The last two decades has seen an increasing emphasis, through terms like Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0, to do more with data using IT technology and embracing automation. In the marine industry, this has focused minds on targeting inefficient data handing processes or improving the way the humans are supported by tools. A negative characterisation of this progress would show concern towards job losses, yet humans are

In-service stability monitoring is transforming vessel safety by replacing periodic verification with continuous, data-driven assessment of stability performance. Combining onboard loading information, statistical analysis and signal-processing techniques, the approach tracks changes in vertical centre of gravity over time, delivering earlier insights, greater confidence and enhanced operational assurance for both crewed and autonomous vessels.

Digital technologies are revolutionising ship machinery management through real-time engine monitoring, digital twins and machine learning. By enabling predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and improving fuel efficiency, these innovations strengthen safety and operational performance. The research also highlights key challenges in deploying advanced condition-based maintenance algorithms across increasingly complex maritime systems.

Hybrid Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are pushing the boundaries of cross-domain autonomy by operating seamlessly in air and water. Using computational fluid dynamics to analyse dive and breach manoeuvres, researchers reveal critical insights into impact forces, buoyancy and propulsion performance, informing the design of more capable amphibious autonomous systems future missions.

Digital continuity is becoming a decisive factor in shipyard productivity. By extending the digital thread from design systems directly to production equipment and logistics, organisations can improve data reliability, boost confidence in manufacturing decisions and strengthen supply chain visibility. The results reduce rework, improve quality and accelerate more efficient shipbuilding operations.

Digital transformation is reshaping ship design by challenging the traditional Design Spiral. As enterprise digital backbones connect data, processes and stakeholders across the vessel lifecycle, design becomes a network of interconnected iterations rather than a linear sequence. The shift promises greater collaboration, traceability and decision-making efficiency, unlocking new opportunities for lifecycle optimisation.

Simulation-driven ship design is redefining vessel development by replacing fragmented design cycles with integrated, automated optimisation. By combining high-fidelity CFD, stability analysis and digital engineering tools, this approach enables designers to explore complex trade-offs simultaneously, delivering lower resistance, improved performance and faster innovation for next-generation low-carbon ships and alternative propulsion solutions.

AIS data is becoming a powerful design tool for naval architects, replacing assumptions with real-world operational evidence. By analysing vessel activity, speed profiles, port stays and environmental conditions, designers can more accurately size energy systems, evaluate battery and alternative fuel viability, and optimise vessel concepts for realistic, efficient and sustainable operations.

Navantia is advancing propulsion system design through a highly automated digital engineering approach that accelerates concept evaluation and reduces design fixation. By combining commercial simulation tools, in-house Python automation and parallel computation, the solution rapidly explores and optimises architectures, enabling faster requirements verification, deeper analysis and more informed engineering decisions for future naval vessels.

Digital transformation is reshaping shipbuilding through integrated design and engineering digital threads that connect data, tools and stakeholders across the vessel lifecycle. Challenging the limitations of the traditional design spiral, emerging V-model approaches promise greater agility, collaboration and resilience, enabling shipyards to accelerate innovation and adapt effectively for future demands.