The Naval Architect

The Naval Architect

@navalarchitect.bsky.social

A Professional Engineer (PE) with decades of experience in ship design, construction, repair and conversion, having worked in the international maritime industry in Europe, USA, N Asia and New Zealand.

254 followers119 following408 posts

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Alarming for a ship which only recently completed its 1st Special Survey to breakdown in heavy weather. This is what happened last weekend to heavy load carrier UHL FREEDOM (IMO 9897121, Portugal/Madeira-flag, DnV-class, 16,729gt) managed by Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Bulk. Well done to the Dutch rescuers

Breakbulk.News@breakbulk.bsky.social

Heavy lift vessel #UHLFreedom suffers engine failure in the #NorthSea during force 9 winds, injuring three crew members and triggering helicopter evacuations and emergency tug deployment near #Schiermonnikoog. #HeavyLift #MaritimeSafety #ProjectCargo

breakbulk.newsHeavy Lift Vessel UHL Freedom Loses Propulsion in North Sea Storm, Three Crew InjuredHeavy lift vessel #UHLFreedom suffers engine failure in the #NorthSea during force 9 winds, injuring three crew members and triggering helicopter evacuations and emergency tug deployment near #Schiermonnikoog. #HeavyLift #MaritimeSafety #ProjectCargo
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Today, the UK COVID Inquiry confirmed something most of us already knew- that discharging hospital patients into care homes caused the virus to wreak havoc amongst the most vulnerable- causing the deaths of so many including my own beautiful Mam. Lest we forget: www.thenational.scot/news/1850492...

thenational.scotWATCH: Tory minister blames scientists then backtracks in awkward interviewTORY health and social care minister Helen Whately is facing criticism after attempting to blame scientists for Covid-19 care home deaths then backtracking during a Sky News interview.
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Finally, 20 years after the AL SALAM BOCCACCIO 98 ferry disaster (IMO 6921282), the organisation responsible for its safety classification- Registro Italiano Navale (RINA)- has been found GUILTY in an Italian court of law, but fined only €56,000 per life lost www.puentedemando.com/en/rina-ferr...

puentedemando.comRINA Ordered to Pay Over €60 Million for 1,071 Deaths in the 2006 Ferry Disaster ‘Al Salam Boccaccio 98’ » Puente de MandoThe Civil Court of Genoa has ordered RINA to pay over €60 million in compensation to approximately 700 families of the victims of the ferry “Al Salam
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

In 1993/94, the UK Government under Prime Minister John Major saw to it that HMNB Rosyth and the Royal Dockyard were decimated (aided and abetted by then 1st Sea Lord Adm Jock Slater). Is it time to rebuild Rosyth as a base for deployment of ships, drones etc. and diversify the “South Coast Navy”?

Channel 4 News@channel4news.bsky.social

Russian submarine threat: on a NATO exercise in Scotland www.channel4.com/news/russian...

channel4.comRussian submarine threat: on a NATO exercise in Scotland"Step up and spend more." Those were the words of Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, who warned the Labour Party conference of a looming threat of war, with dangerous adversaries on Britain's doorstep.
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

For years, Lloyds Register habitually avoided any reference to its key role in ships engaged in the transatlantic slave trade until 2025 when it decided to apologise. With that out of the way, normal glossing can continue (See link in case you couldn’t find the apology) www.lr.org/en/about-us/...

lr.orgTransatlantic trafficking history | LRLR commissioned research with the Wilberforce Institute, a world-leading institute in the study of slavery, to investigate our historical connections.
Lloyd's Register Foundation Heritage Centre@lrfheritage.bsky.social

A look back at the the evolution of shipbuilding from the age of sail ➡️ modern steel ships 🛠️⚒️ Established in 1760, Lloyd’s Register has played a crucial role in maritime safety, collecting evidence of innovation in shipbuilding at pivotal moments in the 19th and 20th century.

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Interesting that ABS, #DNV and Rina are the 1st class societies to join the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network. Just as interesting that Lloyds Register has not! Curious- anything to do with its earlier track record when it was classing dodgy tankers? How the mighty have fallen macn.dk/macn-welcome...

macn.dkMACN welcomes ABS, DNV and RINA as its first classification society members - MACNThe Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) has welcomed ABS, DNV and RINA as the first classification societies to join the network. The move follows a decision by MACN members at the General Assembl...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

The scale of this latest ferry tragedy is now emerging… Heartbreaking.

Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Podcast@shipwreckspod.bsky.social

Another update on the Virgo Transport 8 ferry disaster in Indonesia. 52 now confirmed dead with 83 still missing. www.yahoo.com/news/world/a...

yahoo.comDivers recover a total of 52 bodies from capsized ferry in Indonesia after a dayslong searchDivers in Indonesia have recovered a total of 52 bodies in a dayslong operation that followed the capsizing of a ferry in rough seas earlier this month, officials said Friday. The Virgo Transport 8 f...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Another Indonesian ferry tragedy, with reports emerging of the loss of VIRGO TRANSPORT 8 (IMO 8625179, 4277gt, b.1987) which apparently foundered in heavy seas in the Java Sea. SAR operations underway- 94 people rescued, 6 bodies recovered but another 143 missing www.malaymail.com/news/world/2...

malaymail.comIndonesia races to find missing ferry from Surabaya carrying over 200 passengers in Java SeaJAKARTA, Sept 13 — An Indonesian ferry carrying 243 passengers and crew is out of contact while sailing north in bad weather from Java to Borneo, rescue officials said Sunday.The...

The Naval Architect reposted

Francisco Blaha
@franciscoblaha.bsky.social

I think the problem starts with classifying an old prawn trawler as a "ferry"; it clearly wasn't designed for cargo or passengers, and that's the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority's (VMSA) responsibility. SAR operations can't be blamed for unsafe vessels being at sea. www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/1...

rnz.co.nzAt least 30 missing after inter-island ferry sinks off Vanuatu coastVanuatu authorities have been searching for survivors after an inter-island ferry carrying 34 passengers and 11 crew members sank in critical weather conditions.
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

This morning, a journalist in Sana’a, Yemen who’s in contact with the Houthi leadership, said that only Saudi shipping would be targeted entering Bab al- Mandab Strait, but if any other country should support the Saudis, eg USA, then ships controlled by US interests would also become targets.

Conflict Research@conflictwatch.bsky.social

Saudi backed forces collapsed in Yemen under pressure from the Houthis and surrendered en masse.

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Latest report re the tragic sinking of the Guyanese ferry BARIMA, citing possible reasons for its loss. Important that the flag state conducts a proper inquiry, noting the ferry was built in 1939 by Ferguson Brothers on the Lower Clyde, classed by Lloyd’s until 1941 edition.cnn.com/2026/07/20/a...

guardian.co.ttGuyana launches criminal probe as crews scour waters for survivors after ferry capsizesThe search for sur­vivors con­tin­ued in Guyana Mon­day af­ter a fer­ry, be­lieved to be over­loaded, cap­sized over the week­end, with the gov­ern­ment not­ing that at least 35 of the 67 peo­ple res­...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

The unexplained loss of bulk carrier OCEAN WINNER (IMO 9145530, Panama-flag, BV-class, 39,755gt, b. 1998) “opens a can of worms” according to local press reports. It’s been a long time since a bulk carrier sank in this way- 2 survivors hold key to the investigation www.orissapost.com/sinking-of-m...

orissapost.comSinking of MV Ocean Winner opens a can of worms - OrissaPOSTParadip: A Panama-flagged cargo ship carrying iron ore from Paradip port to China is believed to have sunk in Indian waters after disappearing about 220 nautical miles (396 km) from Port Blair in the ...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

A quite detailed report of the latest MSC container ship casualty- MSC SILVANA VIII (IMO 9309459, Cyprus-flag, DNV-class, b. 2006, 94,489gt)- HUGELY embarrassing for the Chinese shipyard and for MSC’s technical superintendents. www.linkedin.com/pulse/breaki...

linkedin.comBreaking!MSC 8,401-TEU Containership Partially Submerged off Zhoushan Following Shipyard StayThe 2006-built MSC SILVANA VIII is seen heavily listed and partially submerged near Daishan, Zhoushan, after spending nearly three weeks at a local ship-repair facility. The casualty comes in the vess...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Another preventable ferry tragedy as fire swept through MUTIARA SENTOSA II (IMO 9021382) (Indonesia flag, BKI-class, 14,896gt, b. 1992). Authorities today confirm 5 fatalities, 41 missing. Losses would be much higher without the assistance of a passing feeder container ship.

Reuters@reuters.com

At least five people were killed and dozens were still missing after a ferry, Mutiara Sentosa 2, caught fire off Indonesia's Madura island, the country's search and rescue agency said in a statement. Survivors and bodies recovered from the ferry arrived at Surabaya port.

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

@mercoglianos.bsky.social @vesselspotter.eurosky.social

Bart⚓️@bartgonnissen.bsky.social

The Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has issued an urgent 24-hour directive to the owners of the beached Cameroon-flagged Supermax Caroline Bezengi (IMO 9224439) maritime-executive.com/article/oman...

maritime-executive.comOman Gives Owner of Stranded Tanker Caroline Bezengi 24 Hours to ActThe Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has issued an urgent 24-hour directive to the owners of the beached Cameroo...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Has the “cavalier” risk appetite of Mr Procopiou, owner of Dynacom Tankers, finally caught up with him and his ships? By running the gauntlet, has he made his fleet a target, putting the lives of his seafarers- the true heroes- at risk? Will insurers stay on board? cyprus-mail.com/2026/07/21/i...

cyprus-mail.comIran strikes again at Procopiou’s fleetA second tanker managed by Greek shipowner George Procopiou’s Dynacom Tankers Management has been struck in the Strait of Hormuz, as commercial traffic through the waterway fell to a near st...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Weather route assessment is a vital component to ensure safe navigation of ships all over the world. It depends on accurate metocean data. News of the removal of weather buoys is odd. Why not just leave them in situ instead of spending huge sums to remove them? maritime-executive.com/article/trum...

maritime-executive.comTrump Administration Invests in Removing Ocean Research BuoysMoving the objectives of Project 2025 one step closer to completion, the National Science Foundation is removing 900 ocean data collecting buoys that...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Mitigating risk of infection on cruise ships: Is there more to be done by naval architects in improving ship design? Or is this more of a human behavioural issue which needs better management? www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

theguardian.com‘You only have so much space’: the limits of reducing infection risk on cruise shipsIt is hardly a surprise that outbreaks can occur and experts say many of the factors involved are not easy to change
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

1/ Once more, naval architecture and epidemiology meet again. It happened over a century ago with the spread of the so-called “Spanish Flu” virus. It emerged on DIAMOND PRINCESS at the onset of COVID-19. Now it’s HONDIUS with the hantavirus. Actually it regularly happens on ships with norovirus.

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

1/ Once more, naval architecture and epidemiology meet again. It happened over a century ago with the spread of the so-called “Spanish Flu” virus. It emerged on DIAMOND PRINCESS at the onset of COVID-19. Now it’s HONDIUS with the hantavirus. Actually it regularly happens on ships with norovirus.

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

2/ What can naval architects learn from epidemiologists in the design of passenger ships which would mitigate risk of viral spread? Or is the answer better pre-boarding preventative measures? Cruise guests should be reminded that today’s ships offer first aid! A Medical Officer is from a bygone age!

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Very interesting report about the continual proliferation of ‘shadow’ tankers using the Eastern OPL anchorage for STS operations. In terms of safety & environmental risk, don’t forget 2 names: PABLO and YOUNG YONG - notable casualties, with little evidence of lessons learned.

Mark Douglas@maritimekiwi.bsky.social

The EOPL is a hotspot for the shadow fleet because of its convenient location and the permissive attitudes of nearby authorities, said Farzin Nadimi “It’s a very convenient place for hiding activities,” Nadimi said. “Malaysian authorities basically look elsewhere.” edition.cnn.com/2026/04/27/a...

edition.cnn.comThe lawless floating gas station where Iranian oil changes hands | CNNThe seizure of the MT Tifani has put a spotlight on this shady patch of waters off Malaysia.
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

After transiting the Strait of #Hormuz via Omani territorial waters, Celestyal and MSC send their cruise ships through Bab-el-Mandeb Strait (“Gate of Tears”) and the Suez Canal whereas MEIN SCHIFF 4 and 5 go round the Cape of Good Hope. maritime-executive.com/article/msc-...

maritime-executive.comMSC and Celestyal Cruise Ships Transits Suez After Escape from Persian GulfAfter getting their cruise ships out of the Persian Gulf, two cruise lines elected to send their ships through the Suez Canal to speed their repositi...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

While some countries are talking about the importance of investing in shipbuilding as part of their economic and security resilience strategies, China is quietly getting on and doing it, eg Hengli Heavy at Dalian splash247.com/worlds-bigge...

splash247.comWorld’s biggest cranes take shape at Hengli Heavy - Splash247Construction has begun on three ultra-large gantry cranes at Hengli Heavy Industry’ super drydock on Changxing Island in Dalian, with the project set to shatter multiple world records and further ceme...
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Interesting to see the latest additions to the list of oil tankers under US sanctions. Most are Panama flagged aframaxes classed by Korean or Lloyd’s Register of Shipping & managed by an Indian company called Fleet Tanqo. Quite the investigation by OFAC!

TankerTrackers.com, Inc.@tankertrackers.com

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has JUST slapped sanctions on nine tankers which mostly transport Russian oil. home.treasury.gov/news/press-r... tankertrackers.com/report/sanct... (click on the US flag twice) #OOTT #Tankers

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

A genius move or a sign of desperation? The decision of the USA to impose a maritime blockade of the Strait of #Hormuz is already resulting in shockwaves in the shipping industry, trying to navigate its way through the Iranian impasse. Feeling sorry for the thousands of seafarers trapped in the Gulf

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

2/ In blockading #Hormuz, the USA is specifically targeting China, India and other nations whose ships - many in the so-called “shadow” fleet - are currently “allowed” to navigate the Strait. In the meantime, the channels are being swept for mines. Piling on the pressure.

The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Latest Gulf casualty: container ship QINGDAO STAR (IMO 9318163, Marshall Is flag, Lloyd’s class, b2006, 39,906gt) hit by a projectile above the waterline, all crew safe. A reminder that until further notice, Iran remains firmly in control of all navigation. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

theguardian.comCeasefire changes little for shipping in strait of Hormuz, experts sayAnalysts expect only limited increase in shipping as vessels will still need to seek Iranian permission to transit
The Naval Architect
@navalarchitect.bsky.social

Just watched Richard Meade (Lloyd’s List Editor-in-Chief) live on CNN. Thankfully it was an intelligent interview- he was asked about the conditions for safe passage of ships through #Hormuz. What did Iran mean by “due consideration of technical limitations”? The answer according to Meade: “Money!”