The Naval Architect – News

Ship repair and retrofit trends boost Seatrium

Ship repair and retrofit trends boost Seatrium

Singapore shipyard group Seatrium has turned in an impressive set of results in its first full year of operations since its creation, following the merger of the Sembcorp Marine and Keppel O&M shipyard operations in April 2023. The company achieved an underlying net profit of S$200 million (US$148.3 million) in 2024, compared with a loss […]

Alt-fuel adoption on the ascent, DNV notes

Alt-fuel adoption on the ascent, DNV notes

As something of a stellar year for ship production, 2024 saw a 38% year-on-year increase in orders for alternative-fuelled newbuilds, totalling 515 ships, according to data released by DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform. The AFI data suggests that container ship orders led the charge, with 69% of these orders opting for alt-fuels, predominantly (67%) […]

Fincantieri stacks up cruise build and repair work

Fincantieri stacks up cruise build and repair work

Italy’s Fincantieri, one of Europe’s premier cruise shipbuilders, has achieved considerable success of late in this sector. Recently, its Monfalcone shipyard delivered the 160,000gt Mein Schiff Relax, the first of two environmentally friendly InTUItion-class cruise ships with dual-fuel (LNG and MGO) capability that Fincantieri is building for this shipowner. The sister ship will set sail […]

Green Marine dives deep with new subsea-focused investment

Green Marine dives deep with new subsea-focused investment

Orkney-based Green Marine is expanding its range of in-house subsea O&M services by investing an undisclosed but seven-figure sum into the creation of a Subsea Services Department, focused on underwater maintenance across UK offshore wind farms. The new department, which will open in late spring, aims to meet growing demand in an O&M market projected […]

New Logistics Support Ship designs from Damen

New Logistics Support Ship designs from Damen

Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled a new range of naval support vessels. The Logistics Support Ship (LSS) design consists of two vessel types, the LSS 9000 and LSS 11000, which are 127m and 140m in length respectively. “The vessels will be equipped with NATO-standard replenishment-at-sea technology, and will have roll-on/roll-off capability and substantial cargo transportation […]

Call for UK to exploit ‘unique’ nuclear opportunity

Call for UK to exploit ‘unique’ nuclear opportunity

A report jointly issued by tech firm CORE POWER, marine insurer NorthStandard and class society Lloyd’s Register (LR) paints an optimistic picture for the safe development and installation of small nuclear reactors aboard commercial ships and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) in the UK – provided the government gets behind the effort. The paper, entitled […]

Build it smart: UK yards must tackle AI and robotics skills gap

Build it smart: UK yards must tackle AI and robotics skills gap

The UK shipbuilding sector needs to address significant skills shortages in AI, robotics and automation if it is to thrive in the long term, a report from National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) claims. The report outlines the need to further adopt these three emerging technologies to enhance operations such as welding, joining and inspections in […]

Polish Navy orders submarine rescue vessel

Polish Navy orders submarine rescue vessel

The Polish Ministry of Defence has placed a contract for the construction of a submarine rescue vessel, to provide support for the new subs it is building under the Orka programme. Ratownik (Rescuer) will replace the rescue vessels ORP Piast and ORP Lech, which have now been in service for 50 years. The contract is the second time […]

New test kit to detect yacht hot tub hazards

New test kit to detect yacht hot tub hazards

System monitoring company CM Technologies (CMT) has launched a new test kit for Legionnaire’s disease, which, CMT warns, can easily breed in onboard hot tubs, spas and pools. “Hot tubs are a real problem,” comments CMT managing director David Fuhlbruegge. “Most yachts have them these days, with operating water temperatures of between 37°-40°C, which is […]

Repair round-up: Maersk teams up with CSL for Indian repair drive

Repair round-up: Maersk teams up with CSL for Indian repair drive

From AHTS to drone deployment Norway’s Green Yard Kleven has been awarded a fifth ship conversion contract with Brazilian shipowner Oceanica. The yard will convert the vessel Oceanicasub XVII from an anchor-handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel to a ship capable of performing ROV operations. Oceanicasub XVII will be equipped with mezzanine decks for ROV equipment, […]

Preview: Surge in demand for WAPS retrofits

Preview: Surge in demand for WAPS retrofits

Manufacturers of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) are reporting a surge of interest in their products in the wake of new greenhouse gas policies and the industry’s wider decarbonisation efforts. As well as supplying newbuilds, these manufacturers are noting an upswing in retrofit orders. One such WAPS manufacturer is BAR Technologies, whose CEO, John Cooper, says: […]

MV ‘Iana’ prepped for sustainable short-sea sailings

MV ‘Iana’ prepped for sustainable short-sea sailings

Dutch builder Thecla Bodewes Shipyards has delivered the first vessel in its new SALMO multipurpose vessel series to Appingedam-headquartered short-sea shipping operator Transtal Shipping. Christened MV Iana, the vessel features a hybrid diesel-electric powertrain but has also been future-proofed for the addition of e-fuels including hydrogen, ammonia and methanol. MV Iana was designed in-house by Thecla […]