Design Group News

One of North America’s busiest ferry routes is joining the growing trend for U.S.-based operators to make the efficiencies of electrification central when they modernize their fleets, after an integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system from ABB was selected for the new ship ordered by Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA).Shipbuilder Senesco Marine contracted ABB to deliver full propulsion and automation systems for the 75-car passenger and vehicle ferry, which will replace the 45-year-old Cape Henlopen in connecting Lewes, Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey.

As global demand for data storage and processing accelerates — driven by cloud computing, streaming media, and the explosive growth of artificial intelligence — the physical footprint of data centers has become a growing challenge. Land-based facilities face mounting constraints: limited space, water scarcity, grid congestion, long permitting timelines and rising community opposition. Against that backdrop, a once-niche concept is moving rapidly into the mainstream conversation: floating data centers.For maritime designers…

Rozema Boat Works, Inc., of Mount Vernon, Washington, was recently awarded a multi-year IDIQ contract by the U.S. Coast Guard for the construction of up to six second-generation Special Purpose Craft – Heavy Weather (SPC-HWX II) vessels. The all-aluminum boats are designed for extreme weather operations and will replace the legacy 52-foot SPC-HWX boats, which were originally commissioned in the 1950s and 1960s and officially retired in 2021.Rozema Boat Works is joined by a strong design and engineering team for this effort.

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) Designs New York’s First Hybrid-Electric FerryWatch the full interview with David Turner, Projects Manager, Elliott Bay Design Group, on the technical highlights of the HARBOR CHARGER on Maritime Reporter TV:On August 12, 2025, The Trust for Governors Island unveiled the HARBOR CHARGER, New York State’s first hybrid-electric passenger vehicle ferry. Designed by Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) and constructed at Conrad Shipyard, the vessel represents a defining moment in New York’s maritime history.

The Trust for Governors Island unveiled its new hybrid-electric ferry, the Harbor Charger, the first of its kind in New York State and aa addition to the Trust’s existing ferry fleet. The arrival of the new boat coincides with the 20-year anniversary of Governors Island opening to the public, as well as major recent progress in its development as a leading destination for climate research and education—marking a significant milestone in its transformation. The Harbor Charger was…

SCHOTTEL is to equip a new OX series tractor tug from U.S.-based aluminum workboat builder Silverback Marine with two SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers type SRP 100. Designed in collaboration with Seattle headquartered Elliott Bay Design Group, the truckable tug will have a bollard pull of almost seven tons and ensure excellent maneuverability with an extremely compact size of just 7.9 meters (26’-0”) in length and 4.4 meters (14’- 6”) in width. The vessel, being built for the U.S. Department of Defense, is expected to be delivered in late 2025.

Ships are designed to operate for decades—often up to 50 years or more. While routine repairs and sometimes major retrofits are expected throughout that lifespan, these vessels must be engineered from the start with longevity in mind. As the maritime industry pushes for greener, low-emission technologies, new challenges arise in lifecycle design—especially when balancing sustainability with long-term reliability. As a result, designers are faced with obstacles that are not present…

Australia does not have nuclear power stations, and it does not have nuclear weapons.I remember having lessons and debates on it in high school, many years ago. My favorite science teacher was dead against either use of nuclear technology.One of the most interesting arguments I remember hearing was that the technology developments that make nuclear power more efficient would also help make nuclear bombs more efficient.Fiji is much the same as Australia, and it has even ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons…

Queensland's ship design group Seatransport and Houston-based Deployable Energy are collaborating with Lloyd’s Register (LR) to develop nuclear power generation for different applications, including strategic response vessels in remote areas. Using micro modular reactor (MMR) technology, two to five MMRs of 1MWe capacity each will power a 73-metre amphibious vessel, designed for emergency response and disaster relief duties in remote areas. This will enable the vessel to operate for 8-10 years without refueling…

Jim Towers is Principal in Charge as well as a Senior Naval Architect and Marine Engineer at Elliott Bay Design Group. He has 45 years of marine experience in vessel design and construction with a specific emphasis on structure. A recognized industry expert in vessel design and a part of numerous vessel construction and refurbishment projects, Jim has worked for the Pacific Northwest's top shipyards, where he developed his engineering talent and was involved in the construction of many high-speed aluminum vessels.

The domestic passenger vessel answers the call for cleaner and more efficient platforms. It is truly an electric time to be a part of this niche industry.In the shadow of a rapidly changing political landscape, the domestic passenger ferry sector is nevertheless seeing an increasing number of newbuild vessel orders. Older fleet vessels, some approaching financial and operational obsolescence – also environmentally undesirable on a waterfront that more than ever demands cleaner carbon signatures – are going the way of the dinosaur.

While in New Orleans, Maritime Reporter TV visited with Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) and Diversified Marine to discuss the Electrified Truckable Tug.Hitting tightening maritime emission targets will require innovation and collaboration across the sector, the type of teaming recently announced between Elliott Bay Design Group and Diversified Marine with the introduction of the electrical truckable tug.“This is a great collaboration with Diversified Marine; they had a tug design and they came to us to electrify it,” said Steve Carlson, Principal in Charge, EBDG.

Silverback Marine has been awarded a multimillion-dollar DoD contract for its new OX series truckable tractor tug.Designed in collaboration with Elliot Bay Design Group of Seattle, Silverback Marine partnered with Darley Defense to secure the contract. Thespecific department of the DoD will remain anonymous until the first vessel is delivered, scheduled for late 2025.For illustrative purposes, Silverback Marine received permission from industry friends including Tradewinds Towing…

Marine energy transportation company Centerline Logistics has formed an exclusive partnership with naval architecture and engineering firm Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) to construct and deploy a series of barge-based clean power solutions for ports lacking conventional shore power infrastructure.EBDG's patent-pending Clean Harbor Alternative Mobile Power (CHAMP) barge is an innovative floating platform, capable of reducing ship emissions by up to 93% while they are idling in port.

Panama City, Fla. based shipbuilder Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Friday announced it has officially cut first steel for the new Fisher Island Ferry, Falcon, at its Allanton Facility.The Elliott Bay Design Group-designed auto and passenger ferry will be constructed at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is expected for delivery in Spring 2026. The 152-foot (loa) vessel will have capacity for up to 30 cars and 150 passengers.In attendance for the steel cutting were members of the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc.

Joe Hudspeth has joined Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm Elliott Bay Design Group as director of sales. He will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with existing clients, identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, and supporting strategic expansion and growth.Hudspeth brings to the role more than 20 years of commercial maritime industry experience, having most recently served as director of business development for global marine at BAE Systems. Before that, he was vice president of business development at Bellingham, Wash.

Marine News spoke to leaders at three North American naval architecture and marine engineering firms about some of the latest trends impacting their business today. Morgan Fanberg, CEO, Glosten; Robert Ekse, President, Elliott Bay Design Group; and Wade Carson, CEO, Vard Marine, weigh in on topics ranging from digitalization and decarbonization to the naval architect talent pool.How are advances in digitalization and AI impacting the naval architecture business today? How will…

San Francisco’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), operator of the San Francisco Bay Ferry system, is moving forward with plans to introduce the United States' first fleet of zero-emission, high-speed, battery electric ferries, this week unveiling design renderings and announcing a battery systems supplier.The newbuilds, to be procured as part of SF Bay Ferry's Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program, include two 400-passenger vessels that will operate…

Freeland, Wash. shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) announced it has appointed Lacey Greene as Vice President, New Construction Sales, effective from mid-July 2024.A second-generation shipbuilder, following in the footsteps of her father who worked at NBBB for many years, Greene started her career 20 years ago on the NBBB labor crew during the build of the SEAFIGHTER, also known as the X-CRAFT, and the paddle-wheel cruise boat EMPRESS OF THE NORTH, now the AMERICAN EMPRESS.

There are many forces pushing stakeholders across the global maritime industry to decarbonize.In the U.S. inland waterways, regulations aren’t one of the main drivers—at least not at the moment, according to Mike Complita, principal and vice president of strategic expansion at Elliott Bay Design Group, a naval architecture firm.Speaking on a panel at the IMX trade show in Nashville, Complita said proposed rules from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are “driving massive change on the West Coast”…

When envisioning the future of vessel design, considerations for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) may not always take precedence. Yet, the significance of proper HVAC systems cannot be overstated, particularly when it comes to ensuring optimal passenger experience. Among the critical aspects of HVAC, ventilation and air circulation onboard vessels stand out as pivotal factors in maintaining healthy and clean air environments.In this paper, we delve into the key role that Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis plays in optimizing vessel ventilation systems.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) won a contract to build a new auto and passenger ferry for the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) in Florida. The vessel will be built at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is expected for delivery in Spring 2026.“Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) delivered the vehicle passenger ferry HERON to the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) over 20 years ago, and we understand that she has been the most reliable ferry in their fleet.

Pacific Northwest boatbuilder Silverback Marine has added to its lineup of electric powered workboats with the launch of a new 24- by 8.5-foot landing craft.Powered by twin Photon 300 electric outboards, the all-electric Sherpa 24 offers clean, quiet access to beaches and estuaries, making it an optimum platform for marine biology, survey and other noise-sensitive operations in sea-to-shore applications, according to Silverback. The high torque of the Photon electric system will also allow for unmatched towing capacity for a vessel of this size…