The Naval Architect – News

All-electric overhaul for car ferry ‘MF Hamlet’

All-electric overhaul for car ferry ‘MF Hamlet’

Norway-based Kongsberg Maritime has secured a leading role in a project to convert the double-ended car ferry MF Hamlet to battery-powered operation. The conversion of the 111.2m ferry, which is operated by Öresundslinjen on the route between Helsingør, Denmark, and Helsingborg, Sweden, will include the installation of battery packs and new permanent magnet motors for the azimuth […]

IHC Dredging secures Indonesian order

IHC Dredging secures Indonesian order

IHC Dredging has been contracted to supply two Beaver 65-class cutter suction dredgers to PT. Dua Samudera Perkasa, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Jhonlin Group. PT. Dua Samudera Perkasa previously took delivery of a Beaver 65, Jhoni 59, in August 2024. That vessel is now working at the coal transport and biodiesel terminal at Batulicin, South […]

Using AI to fast-track maritime nuclear licensing

Using AI to fast-track maritime nuclear licensing

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) says it plans to use Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service as a tool to accelerate licensing processes for nuclear in maritime applications. The idea is to use the Azure OpenAI platform to analyse historic nuclear licensing data, which should help licensing engineers to draft new permit documents far more quickly, LR […]

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 […]