Autonomous navigation is moving closer to commercial reality with a collision-avoidance system designed for large vessels operating in busy waterways. Using a COLREGs-compliant heading-set approach integrated into autopilot controls, the framework safely manages complex multi-ship encounters, enabling reliable route recovery, enhanced safety, and greater confidence in Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship operations.

A new simulation framework is strengthening naval resilience against underwater explosion threats. Combining explicit dynamic modelling, Doubly Asymptotic Approximation, and Underwater Shock Analysis techniques, researchers identified critical blast locations that generate severe whipping responses. The methodology delivers valuable insights into hull integrity, survivability, and risk-informed design for next-generation naval vessels.

Real-time corrosion detection is transforming offshore asset inspection. By combining YOLOv8n object detection, ResNet-50 feature extraction, XGBoost classification, and GAN-generated training data, the system delivers high-speed, accurate identification of corrosion from live video feeds. The approach promises safer operations, reduced inspection costs, and more proactive maintenance of critical infrastructure.

Active fin technology is showing strong potential to improve vessel stability across varying sea conditions. Using advanced hydrodynamic modelling, researchers evaluated how controlled fin movements influence roll and pitch behaviour, finding significant motion reductions and shifts in natural frequencies. The results highlight important design considerations, particularly the varying effectiveness of active fins at different operating speeds.

Advanced simulation capabilities are enhancing confidence in ship performance predictions under realistic sea conditions. A newly developed 3D numerical wave tank captures large-amplitude vessel motions at forward speed, overcoming key modelling challenges and numerical instabilities. Validated against established results, the approach offers a powerful tool for safer, more efficient ship design and analysis.

New advances in hydrodynamic modelling are improving the prediction of added wave resistance across diverse ship types. Using a three-dimensional boundary element method with forward-speed corrections, researchers achieved strong agreement with experimental data. The capability offers valuable insights for energy efficiency, performance optimisation, and more reliable vessel design decisions today.

Deep learning is reshaping computational fluid dynamics by offering mesh-free alternatives to traditional Navier-Stokes solvers. By evaluating CNNs, Physics-Informed Neural Networks, Transfer Learning, and hybrid approaches, the research highlights emerging capabilities to model complex flows, accelerate simulations, and uncover hidden fluid dynamics while reducing computational barriers in high-dimensional engineering applications.

India’s push to expand inland waterway transport is accelerating demand for zero-emission passenger vessels. This overview examines battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies, their operational limitations, and the engineering challenges facing Indian shipyards. The findings highlight critical pathways, obstacles, and opportunities in advancing decarbonised inland mobility and sustainable growth today ahead.

Deep learning is advancing autonomous vessel navigation through an enhanced TD3 reinforcement learning framework. By combining epsilon-greedy exploration, Line-of-Sight guidance, and optimized reward design, the approach delivers smoother rudder control and more reliable path following. The findings highlight AI-driven opportunities for safer, more efficient maritime autonomy in complex operating environments.

Floating offshore wind faces a critical challenge: achieving cost efficiency at scale. Examining the often-overlooked role of anchoring and mooring systems, this perspective exposes competing priorities, technical complexities, and industry fragmentation. It also explores collaborative pathways that could accelerate innovation, strengthen viability, and unlock cleaner energy futures for generations ahead.

Floating wind’s rapid expansion is creating unprecedented demand for specialised offshore vessels. With more than 60 GW forecast by 2035, aging fleets, oil and gas competition, and complex mooring operations are exposing critical capacity gaps. Emerging vessel concepts promise solutions, but challenging economics could reshape the industry’s next phase ahead.

Decarbonising naval small craft requires balancing operational capability with ambitious net-zero goals. Evaluating ammonia, hydrogen, battery-hybrid and synthetic fuel options, the study examines critical design trade-offs involving payload, speed, range, and logistics. Its findings provide strategic guidance for future defence procurement, innovation, research priorities, and sustainable maritime capability development pathways.