Scandlines to convert ferries to hybrid operation Copenhagen-based Scandlines is converting two of the ferries operating the Puttgarden-Rødby route to plug-in hybrid operation, involving an investment of around €31 million. The aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%, the company states. The refit includes the installation of 5MWh battery systems on each […]
The Hovercraft Society has published the first issue of its Light and Recreational Hovercraft Directory, created to place a spotlight on hovercraft-related events, rides, hire opportunities and service around the world, as well as sharing the details of internationally based hovercraft builders and suppliers. Alan Bliault, technical secretary, The Hovercraft Society (and a contributor to […]
The design of the US Navy’s troubled FFG 62 Constellation-class frigate programme is further behind schedule than realised, and the ship is now much heavier than anticipated, which could compromise its performance. According to a June 2025 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 2025 Weapon Systems Annual Assessment, the US Navy continues to face […]
Global political instability may now be the number one concern for shipowners, operators and C-suite personnel, according to the fourth and most recent edition of the International Chamber of Shipping’s (ICS’) Maritime Barometer Report. The 2024-2025 edition of the report indicates that this instability remains the biggest concern for respondents for the third consecutive year […]
This year, the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) concluded its 12th International Maritime Student Design Competition, an annual initiative hosted to encourage students to create designs for safe, stable and affordable domestic ferries – and particularly for rivers and regions within developing countries, or which are prone to higher-than-average rates of accidents. Last year, the […]
These days of political unrest mean directly facing another set of challenges: how innovation meets the new realities of warfare. This isn’t just a matter for the UK’s military, but its industry and academic partners too. In fact, the recurring theme of the latest UK Naval Engineering Science & Technology (UKNEST) event made clear that […]
Japan’s offshore wind farm sector is gaining momentum as part of the country’s push for carbon neutrality by 2050. The country aims to install 10GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, and as much as 30-40GW by 2040, with a focus on both fixed-bottom and floating turbines – the latter technology being particularly important due […]
Updated guidance on tackling ‘non-traditional’ fires, including those involving batteries and alternative fuels, take prominence in the British Tugowners Association’s (BTA’s) recently published Use of Tugs in Firefighting e-doc, which offers industry-standard guidance for tug operators. “In 2023, over 200 shipboard fires were reported globally, highlighting the urgent need for effective firefighting protocols,” the BTA […]
I can’t remember the first time I covered the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association’s (WFSA’s) international student design contest for a safe, affordable domestic ferry, but our report on the 12th instalment of the competition in the June 2025 issue of The Naval Architect reminds me of the many winners that the dearly departed Ship […]
The UK Government is to build up to a dozen new attack submarines as part of the AUKUS programme, in response to “rapidly increasing threats”. The decision means that the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded. In a statement, the government said: “The increase in submarines will transform the UK’s submarine-building […]
MPC Container Ships reports that it has installed Berg Propulsion’s green-fuel technology aboard its 150m, dual-fuel sister vessels NCL Nordland and NCL Vestland. As part of the contract, Berg also acted as “co-designer” for each ship’s engine room layout and propeller arrangement, comments Mattias Hansson, senior global sales manager at Berg. Built this year by […]
Zero USV has launched the extra-long-range (XLR) version of its Oceanus12 USV, which is intended to ramp up the 20 days/2,500nm endurance of the original Oceanus12 to 60+ days/7,500nm+. Zero USV says: “[The XLR Oceanus12] is built for missions in remote areas or regions where access to traditional fuelling points is limited, ensuring that operations […]