Hydrogen propulsion is emerging as a practical pathway to decarbonise high-speed crew boats. Evaluating dual-fuel engines with containerised compressed hydrogen storage, the design demonstrates significant diesel savings while enabling retrofit integration. The findings highlight a realistic transition strategy, balancing emissions reduction, operational performance, and commercial feasibility for operators worldwide today.

Dynamic ballast systems are helping naval architects improve safety and performance in high-speed craft. Through simulation of a 13m RIB, the research examines how ballast-driven trim control, added mass, vessel speed, and hull geometry influence ride quality. The findings provide practical guidance for reducing crew injury risks and enhancing operation.

Hydrofoil-supported catamarans could redefine sustainable regional ferry transport. Using advanced CFD simulations, foil optimisation, and resistance analysis, researchers developed a high-efficiency passenger vessel concept for Mediterranean routes. The integration of hydrofoils reduced drag and improved performance, highlighting promising opportunities to lower emissions while maintaining high-speed operational capability for future fleets.

Reimagining cruise travel through sustainability and passenger comfort, this concept proposes a new generation of low-impact cruise vessels informed by market analysis and environmental expectations. Integrating alternative materials, greener onboard systems, and design lessons from ships and yachts, the approach balances luxury, affordability, and reduced ecological footprint for future travellers.

As maritime rescue organisations pursue net-zero ambitions, researchers are evaluating hybrid propulsion systems combining fuel cells and batteries for small lifeboats. By assessing weight, volume, emissions, cost, and safety, the work addresses critical engineering constraints and offers a framework for selecting practical, low-carbon energy solutions for future search-and-rescue fleets worldwide.

New research is revealing how modest operational changes can significantly improve safety aboard high-speed craft. Combining advanced simulator trials with the WaveReader real-time motion sensing platform, engineers quantified reductions in shock and vibration exposure, showing that small speed adjustments can lower crew risk, enhance efficiency, and support smarter decision-making onboard.

Methanol-fuelled leisure vessels could offer a practical route to long-range maritime decarbonisation. This design study explores propulsion options, safety considerations, and vessel architecture for offshore operations, highlighting methanol’s advantages over competing fuels. The findings reveal how alternative fuel technologies may balance environmental performance, operational capability, and future readiness at sea.

Procuring a pilot boat for extreme weather demands more than robust engineering. This case examines a structured procurement framework integrating technical assessment, risk management, cost-benefit analysis, and crew expertise. The resulting lessons reveal how human factors and evidence-led decision-making can shape safer, higher-performing maritime operations in challenging environments today ahead.

New insights into the RNLI’s D Class lifeboat are improving understanding of crew exposure to shock and vibration. Combining sea trials, towing-tank experiments, and evaluations of innovative mitigation technologies, the programme reveals how vessel flexibility influences impacts and identifies practical solutions to enhance safety, comfort and operational effectiveness for crews.

Advanced manufacturing is transforming submarine construction by integrating real-time ultrasonic phased-array inspection directly into the welding process. The AWESIM programme enables immediate defect detection, reducing costly rework and schedule delays while improving weld quality. Early results demonstrate significant productivity gains, highlighting a promising pathway toward smarter, more efficient naval fabrication and maintenance.

The Naval Submarine Code is becoming a cornerstone of submarine safety assurance worldwide. As a goal-based framework, it enables navies to assess diverse designs against consistent safety objectives while supporting innovation and lifecycle risk management. Its adoption through NATO’s ANEP-102 highlights growing emphasis on robust governance, flexibility, and operational safety.

Submarine survivability is gaining renewed focus as evolving threats challenge traditional design priorities. Using advanced vulnerability modelling to assess a modern submarine concept, the research demonstrates how targeted design features can reduce damage risks after impact. The findings highlight new opportunities to strengthen resilience, improve mission effectiveness, and reshape future underwater warfare strategies.