Ferries & Fast Craft
Ferries & Fast Craft focuses on vessel design, performance optimisation, and operational technologies shaping high-speed and passenger transport sectors. You can expect topics such as hull design and hydrodynamics, propulsion systems including hybrid and electric solutions, lightweight and innovative new materials, and advanced navigation and safety systems.
Gain insights into regulatory compliance and efficiency improvements in the unseen workhorses of the maritime industry.
SS GREAT BRITAIN: VOYAGE TO CARBON NEUTRAL
Historic Ships
SS Great Britain showcases how heritage preservation and sustainability can work together. Advanced conservation engineering maintains the pioneering iron hull within a tightly controlled low-humidity environment, while data-driven optimisation and enhanced system monitoring are reducing emissions. The evolving strategy reveals new pathways to decarbonise complex preservation infrastructure without compromising protection.
PRESERVING OUR SHIPS FOR POSTERITY - A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MANAGING HISTORIC SHIP PROJECTS
Historic Ships
Historic ships face mounting conservation pressures, from funding constraints and maintenance demands to disappearing specialist skills. The Engineered Conservation approach applies holistic engineering, stakeholder alignment, and proactive asset management to improve sustainability. Drawing on diverse vessel projects, it reveals practical lessons, measurable benefits, and limitations shaping maritime preservation efforts today.
REVERSE ENGINEERING THE NEOLITHIC BOATS OF THE AEGEAN SEA: TYPOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION, RECONSTRUCTION AND SEAKEEPING ASSESSMENT
Historic Ships
New analysis of hundreds of recently discovered Aegean rock-art boat images is reshaping understanding of early seafaring. By combining reverse engineering, climatic design principles, and ship science, researchers reconstructed and tested Neolithic vessels, revealing sophisticated maritime capabilities and suggesting far earlier, more dynamic networks of trade, connectivity, and innovation.
A CASE STUDY OF HISTORIC SHIPS IN CANADA: THE STEAM TUG MASTER
Historic Ships
A century-old steam tug in British Columbia exposes the challenges facing maritime preservation in Canada. Fragmented policies, inconsistent heritage designation criteria, and limited government support complicate restoration efforts. Through the story of Master, the broader need for a coherent national framework emerges, highlighting risks, opportunities, and urgent conservation priorities today.
BUILDING THE REPLICA THAMES BARGE BLUE MERMAID
Historic Ships
The Blue Mermaid project demonstrates how traditional maritime design can be reimagined for modern needs. Recreating a 1930 engineless Thames Sailing Barge required innovative engineering, regulatory navigation, and operational insight. The vessel’s revival highlights emerging sail cargo opportunities, offering lessons in sustainable transport, heritage preservation, and resilience for future generations.
Newsletters
Stay connected with the global maritime community through RINA’s newsletters.
Whether you are a member or not, you can receive updates from The Naval Architect, alongside selected RINA news, events and industry insights. Members also gain access to a wider portfolio of exclusive newsletters on key topics in the maritime industry.
- The Naval Architect (currently available to all members & non-members)
- Power & Sustainability (members-only)
- Ship Repair & Maintenance (members-only)
- Warship Technology (members-only)
- Ferries & Fast Craft (members-only)
- Offshore Technology (members-only)
