December 2025
Research Vessels
Inside find insights on our selection of Great Ships of 2025, including the Ship of the Year, R/V David Packard.
Table of Contents
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U.S. Energy Innovation: Closing the Loop on the Carbon Lifecycle with LCO2 Transport
ABS offers Approval in Principle and first look at Aptamus's LCO₂ vessel design
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MSC’s Decarbonization at Scale
How the World’s Largest Boxship Fleet Is Squeezing More Miles from Every Molecule
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Saronic Technologies: Building the Autonomous Fleets of the Future
In a shipbuilding industry defined by tradition, one new entrant is seeking to rewrite the rules of how naval vessels are designed, built and delivered. Saronic Technologies, founded just three years ago, is racing to create what CEO Dino Mavrookas calls “a next-generation shipbuilding ecosystem” — one capable of delivering unmanned surface vessels (USVs) at the speed and scale the U.S. and its allies will need to compete on tomorrow’s seas.
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WAPS: Making the Wind Blow for Shipping’s Decarbonization
In the evolving landscape of maritime decarbonization, few subjects are as timely or arguably as misunderstood as wind-assisted propulsion.
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Army Beats Navy – the Hegseth Way!
Sticking to legacy tactics won't beat China — adopt Secretary Hegseth's and the Army initiatives or surrender the edge.
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The Future of Alternative Fuels: The Fortescue Green Pioneer
Proving that ammonia is suitable as maritime fuel.
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Ship of the Year: R/V David Packard
In 2010, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) began the process of replacing its research vessel, R/V Western Flyer. With Glosten at their side as vessel designer, MBARI considered three types of ships for their new project. The Western Flyer was a small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH), but the parties agreed on a monohull design for the new vessel. In 2021, Freire Shipyard won the bid to build the vessel, and R/V David Packard came to life.
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Great Ships of 2025: BYD Shenzhen
LNG Dual-Fuel, World’s Largest Auto Carrier
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Great Ships of 2025: Frederick Paup
15,000 cu. yd. Hopper Dredge = “the Cookie Monster” of Beach Replenishment
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Great Ships of 2025: Van Oord Boreas
Dual Fuel Methanol WTIV is the Largest Investment in Van Oord history
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Great Ships of 2025: Wind Ally
First-in-Class WTIV
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Great Ships of 2025: GLDD Hopper Dredge Amelia Island
Wabtec Power for the Ship and Dredge Pumps
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Wallem builds momentum on future-proof ship management strategy
Hong Kong based group’s readiness to manage shipping’s transition to new fuels is integral to the growing number of ships it has under management.
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Thordon Bearings & the Evolution of Water-Lubricated Bearing Systems
Thordon Bearings has steadily carved out a niche in the global marine industry with its eco-friendly water-lubricated bearings, helping shipowners to effectively eliminate the risk of harmful pollution in marine environments.
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IMO: Stick to Your [Sustainability] Guns
IMO has kicked the can of sustainability down the road by delaying the Net Zero Framework. It was a strange retreat.
