Ship Designs News

After spending about 3 billion dollars, the Constellation frigate program was shut down with absolutely nothing to show for it.The New York Times produced an Op-Ed titled “America can’t make what the Navy Needs.”That title may indicate the United States does not have the technical ability to build ships for the US Navy. However, the article itself clearly shows that the issue relates to the Navy not being able to figure out what it wants US shipbuilders to build.The Navy wanted US shipbuilders to build a standard design.

Kongsberg Maritime is participating in the prequalification phase of the competition for the Royal Norwegian Navy’s new standardized vessels (P1118). The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has announced a national competition for vessel design and concept development covering up to 28 standardized vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy.“We are participating in the competition with our full product portfolio, including ship design and integrated system solutions for advanced vessels.

Fincantieri and the U.S. Navy have reached an agreement to redefine the future of the Constellation-class frigate program, ensuring work continues on the first two ships while cancelling four later units as part of a wider fleet review.The shift follows the Navy’s overhaul of its force-structure plans and aligns with new priorities aimed at accelerating next-generation ship designs and revitalizing segments such as icebreakers, amphibious platforms and special-mission vessels.Fincantieri…

On October 28, 2025 U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, convened the Senate hearing “Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding”. This hearing examined how to modernize and accelerate U.S. commercial shipbuilding while strengthening a larger maritime industrial base.Senator Sullivan opened with a statement that included: “Our nation faces a critical strategic challenge as foreign competitors…

Webb Institute awarded Dr. James S.C. Chao, Founder and Chairman of Foremost Group, an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his visionary leadership in the global maritime industry and his profound commitment to education, philanthropy, and sustainability.The ceremony was held on Webb’s Glen Cove campus before the Board of Trustees, students, and faculty. Dr. Chao delivered brief remarks reflecting on his extraordinary journey, from a young sea captain to one of the most respected figures in international shipping.“The sea has been my lifelong classroom,” said Dr. Chao.

NYK’s Group company Keihin Dock has signed a joint demonstration agreement with Oceanic Constellations (OC), an ocean-tech startup, seeks to establish a mass-production system for small unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).The move aims to accelerate the development of innovative solutions to tackle industry-wide marine challenges in Japan.OC plans to implement a world-first approach to consistent ocean monitoring by deploying multiple USVs equipped with sensors and communication…

ABB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish nuclear energy company Blykalla to support and accelerate the deployment of small modular lead-cooled reactors to the maritime industry.Building on the terms of an existing MoU between Blykalla and ABB signed in October 2024, which targets developing lead-cooled SMR technology to support Sweden’s clean energy requirements, the agreement expands the partnership and aligns with growing momentum for nuclear energy as a marine power source.Blykalla’s Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor (SEALER) is a highly compact…

Everllence has announced the first order for its 175DF-M (dual-fuel methanol) engine for a superyacht currently under construction by an undisclosed European shipyard.Everllence’s scope of supply covers 2 × 12V175DF-M and 1 × 16V175DF-M variable-speed yacht gensets, including methanol fuel-supply systems. Delivery is scheduled for July 2027.The company reports that many customers from the ferry, cruise, offshore, tug, superyacht and governmental segments have shown a strong interest…

Researchers in South Korea at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have reportedly developed a hull-attached sensor-based system for predicting underwater radiated noise (URN), a key factor in naval stealth operations.KIMM Develops First Hull-Attached Sensor System for Predicting Underwater Radiated NoiseNew algorithm predicts underwater noise in real timeBoosts naval stealth and operational efficiencyThe new technology allows real-time monitoring of underwater noise levels generated by naval vessels…

Stig Magne Espeseth, who has headed up Norway-based ship designer HAV Design for the past 20 years, will step down as managing director and move into the role of SVP Design. In his new role as SVP Design, Espeseth will apply his unique competence to further develop the company’s design department in order to develop new ship designs that will be offered to the market in line with a revised business development and sales/marketing strategy. He will also head up development of design…

Classification society Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has issued a formal Review Attestation for Survitec’s Seahaven evacuation system, confirming its status as a novel life-saving appliance (LSA) under IMO Resolution A.520(13). The attestation recognizes Seahaven’s position as an innovative safety evacuation solution for high-capacity passenger vessels, such as cruise ships.Developed by Survitec, a global leader in Survival Technology, the Seahaven system is engineered to evacuate up to 1…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that opens the door for joint development projects to develop international naval ships.With the goal of achieving approval in principle, ABS will apply its goal-based and prescriptive requirements to three different types of naval ship designs from HHI, including HDA-24000: Auxiliary Logistic Support Ship, HDF-3200: Frigate, and HDP-2200: Offshore Patrol Vessel.“With extensive experience supporting government ships worldwide…

[The following are exerpts and paraphrasing from testimony given by Matthew O. Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), to Congress on the morning of February 26, 2025.]While maritime strength and shipbuilding historically have been a cornerstone of global power, shifting times and geopolitical pressures impact readiness and output. Today, as the world’s geopolitical landscape shifts, so too does the reality of the U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair industry. In testimony before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, Matthew O.

The maritime industry’s elusive quest to achieve so-called ‘zero’ emissions continues. Where it ends is not a one-size-fits-all discussion.The year-end maritime industry discussions tend to move away from global influence and back drift to national and domestic debates. As this happens, a positioning of a relatively small group of American owners and operators prepare for the upcoming business year and markets. The propulsion debate continues to be future fuels based upon sustainability and climate change.

In September 2024, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, issued her Chief of Naval Operations Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy. Admiral Franchetti describes this Navigation Plan as the strategic guidance to the U.S. Navy.This Navigation Plan embodies “Project 33” in recognition of the fact that Admiral Franchetti is the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations. Project 33 articulates two overarching objectives: An imperative to be ready for the possibility of war with the People’s Republic of China by 2027…

STAX Engineering, based in Long Beach, California, has experienced significant growth since launching its innovative emissions capture and control technology earlier this year.Available as a land- or barge-based solution, the company’s mobile, flexible exhaust capture system is designed to fit all ships without modification, removing 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from all exhaust funneled into its system before the exhaust is released as purified gas.The idea for the solution comes from seasoned inventor and engineer Bob Sharp…

ClassNK has published industry-first estimated leak frequencies for ammonia fuel from onboard components for ammonia-fueled ships. For new ammonia-fueled ship designs, risk assessments involve the consideration of the probability of ammonia leak from each component. However, statistical data of onboard ammonia leak have been extremely limited, making probability estimation difficult.ClassNK, in collaboration with the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability (RISS)…

Shanghai Electric earlier this month celebrated the combined naming and delivery of two service operation vessels (SOV) at ZPMC, Qidong base, China. The vessels are based on two different ship designs from Ulstein Design & Solutions AS and are the first purpose-designed vessels for the offshore wind industry in China.The Zhi Cheng 60 is an ULSTEIN SX197 design measuring 72.6m in length and 17.5m in beam. It can accommodate 60 people and has a deck area of 400 sqm.The Zhi Zhen 100 is based on the larger ULSTEIN SX195 design.

Claus Winter Graugaard suddenly passed away on July 30 at age 51.Graugaard was widely recognized as a pivotal leader both at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and in the broader maritime industry. Since joining the Center's leadership team in January 2021, he played an integral role serving as Chief Technology Officer - Onboard Vessel Solutions.He was widely respected for his professionalism, dedication and relentless drive in advancing the maritime industry's transition to a sustainable future.

ECOLOG's low pressure, shallow-draft, low carbon footprint 40,000 cbm liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design has been awarded an approval in principle (AIP) from ABS, the classification society announced.This AIP is the result of cooperation within a joint industry project (JIP) on the detailed design development, taking into account LCO2 critical characteristics, including operational requirements with respect to low pressure and shallow draft. The design maximizes energy integration and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.The project team included Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.

At a high-level, there are three solutions to transferring technicians from shore bases to offshore wind farms for construction and O&M activities: crew transfer vessel (CTV), helicopter, and SOVs/CSOVs.SOVs and CSOVs generally house 60-120 technicians offshore for a few weeks at a time, allowing them to transfer to structures on integrated heave compensated gangways, by daughter craft or on CTVs. The vessels are also equipped with cranes, storage, and small workshop areas.SOV: Service operations vessels…

2024 marks 50 years of ship design work for Kongsberg Maritime. From setting the benchmark that set the standard for offshore supply vessels in the 1970s, to advanced anchor handlers that transformed the oil and gas industry, and a growing reference list in fishery and merchant ships, Kongsberg Maritime’s range of ship designs has continued to evolve over the past five decades.The early 1970s, at the dawn of the offshore oil and gas industry, saw the very first vessels, designed…

ClassNK has granted approval to the basic design drawings of a multi-purpose container carrier developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) utilizing 3D models.This marks the world's first ocean-going ship to complete the basic design process, including class approval, solely through 3D drawings from the conceptual design to the basic structural design, during the initial stages of ship construction, according to NYK Line and ClassNK.Traditionally, the sharing of design information among shipyards…