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The Naval Architect

@navalarchitect.bsky.social
247 followers 115 following 399 posts

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.

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Reposted by The Naval Architect
Alice Hancock @alicemhancock.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Ship’s captains are being salaries of up to $100,000 a month pro rata to transit Hormuz, with seafarers lower in the rankings relative uplifts to risk their lives in a deadly week of attacks as.ft.com/r/5dd3977a-3...
as.ft.com
Ships’ captains paid $100,000 a month to transit Strait of Hormuz
Salaries and bonuses spiral for seafarers willing to risk perilous trip through waterway in face of Iranian attacks
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Yes, currently in the UK
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
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”?
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
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”?
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Analysis from CREA shows significant trend of ‘shadow fleet’ ships registering with the Russian Federation flag (and incidentally also classing with RMRS- the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping) energyandcleanair.org/publication/...
energyandcleanair.org
Russian flag refuge: 107 vessels join the Russian flag registry since January 2025 – Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
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.org
Transatlantic trafficking history | LR
LR commissioned research with the Wilberforce Institute, a world-leading institute in the study of slavery, to investigate our historical connections.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I think you may have some pieces missing. The ship was operated by Ambrey but is currently for sale. A Canadian company planned to buy it for expedition cruises but this fell through. I suspect its next voyage (once free from the Gulf) will be straight to the scrapyard. Sad end for an historic ship
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
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.dk
MACN welcomes ABS, DNV and RINA as its first classification society members - MACN
The 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...
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I had the Vega twin-steer coach… when you tilted it to one side, the front wheels would turn… a marvel of model engineering!!
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The scale of this latest ferry tragedy is now emerging… Heartbreaking.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Contact damage?
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
And presumably the Dutch too?
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It’s not just shipping which is facing significant increases in the cost of fuel and lubricants, it’s car, truck and bus owners/operators too, reminded every time they go to the gas station to fill up.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
New video shows capsized hull of Indonesian ferry VIRGO TRANSPORT 8 news.sky.com/video/aerial...
news.sky.com
Aerial footage shows capsized ship in Java Sea - as dozens remain missing
At least six people have been killed and 129 others are still missing after the Virgo Transport 8 capsized in Indonesia's Java Sea on Sunday.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on 14th April 1912, not 14th September as this post suggests. C’mon Lloyds Register, your usual high standards are slipping!
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Reposted by The Naval Architect
Francisco Blaha @franciscoblaha.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
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.nz
At least 30 missing after inter-island ferry sinks off Vanuatu coast
Vanuatu authorities have been searching for survivors after an inter-island ferry carrying 34 passengers and 11 crew members sank in critical weather conditions.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Not a cruise ship, my friends, a car ferry similar in size to some of the larger CalMac ferries operating from Oban and Stornoway.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
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.com
Indonesia races to find missing ferry from Surabaya carrying over 200 passengers in Java Sea
JAKARTA, 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...
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Yes, already being referred to as the ‘gigamax’ size (with ‘megamax’ being 20,000TEU capacity)
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
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.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Rising threat to international shipping as Iran and its proxies move closer to full control of two critical navigational chokepoints as regional conflict expands www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Houthis seize key Yemeni port of Mocha in drive to take control of Red Sea coast
Iran and its proxies move closer to full control of two shipping chokepoints as regional conflict widens
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Welcome! I wish I’d known! I presume in London? My wife has been there this weekend for the carnival, I would’ve asked her to get a signed copy! I really hope you have a fantastic visit!
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Reports coming in of the unexplained loss of Cyprus-flagged passenger catamaran ferry FILO JET (IMO 8962034, unclassed, 339gt, b. 2000). Many rescued, Captain arrested but sadly, lives have been lost. www.shippax.com/en/news/filo...
shippax.com
FILO JET capsizes off Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus; at least six dead
FILO JET capsizes off Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus; at least six dead
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Just watched your interview over here “across the pond” - a great discussion and inspiring me to get your book if it’s available outside North America! Congratulations and very well done ✅
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Recent video update from a local Guyana reporter describing a modern ferry built in Greece and acquired by the Guyana Govt but apparently laid up out of service whilst the ill-fated BARIMA ferry soldiered on. The accident inquiry needs to be conducted independently! youtu.be/OZljpR3u5eI
youtu.be
Mv Barima REPLACEMENT Kalliopi/Why Was It Never Used?
YouTube video by Guyana's Growth Channel
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
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.com
Sinking of MV Ocean Winner opens a can of worms - OrissaPOST
Paradip: 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 ...
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Very appropriate that Lloyds Register recently apologised for its significant role in facilitating the transshipment of enslaved Africans on specially designed sailing ships
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
“The US-South Korea shipbuilding partnership marks a new era of ‘alliance-based competition’…” you wrote a few days ago. One wonders if there’s been a huge misunderstanding and that the US partnership is actually with North Korea?
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
UK risk and security specialist Ambrey has been engaged in the salvage of the stricken suezmax oil tanker CAROLINE BEZENGI (IMO 9224439, flagged by Cameroon until last November, classed by Italian society Rina until last October), currently stranded off Oman ambrey.com/ambrey-carol...
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Interesting that more ships are being advertised online in this way. I wonder how many enquiries have been received for this small ageing tanker (GSM, IMO 9232967) flying a flag of last resort and classed by Lloyds Register which until recently, had the biggest IACS share of shadow fleet tonnage!
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
It depends on the location and sharpness of the “hinge” point along the keel. My understanding is that there’s an underwater shelf with the ship’s stern submerged over the edge. To salvage the ship will require adding a lot of extra buoyancy to the aft end!
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
These and the BYD double deckers being delivered for TfL will probably kill off UK bus manufacturing. Only the financial accountants of our big UK bus operators will be congratulating themselves on securing the lowest price, utterly disinterested in supporting the value of British engineering.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Good to see some noise about the quiet sale of these shadow tankers. The marine environment will be far better off without these obsolete non-compliant rust buckets.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
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.com
Breaking!MSC 8,401-TEU Containership Partially Submerged off Zhoushan Following Shipyard Stay
The 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...
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
I agree, the ship is in docking condition, ie no cargo and very little ballast, however the hull bending moment will be exceeded causing bottom buckling. If the shear strake cracks at the main deck, progressive structural failure will be rapid & the back will be broken. The aft end will slide down.
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Reposted by The Naval Architect
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 09/08/2026
‘Like being in prison’: the ship crews stuck in Gulf since February
theguardian.com
‘Like being in prison’: the ship crews stuck in Gulf since February
US-Iran war has stranded up to 20,000 seafarers, mostly Indian and Filipino crews, with none knowing when the nightmare will end
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Georgia named after St George!
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
This was the largest-ever European-built ship & the world’s widest monohull (79.1m), double-screw steamer built by a fantastic Swedish shipyard for a domestic owner. It was scrapped just prior to its 5th Special Survey and prior to the abolition of single skin oil tankers. Shipyard also gone, sadly
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
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.
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Reposted by The Naval Architect
Simon Kuestenmacher @simongerman600.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Here @econovisuals shows us in a dramatic way just how much the Iran war impacts maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The scammed flag states need to collaborate to organise his extradition and prosecution, preferably within the EU. This scammer needs to face justice ASAP.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
@mercoglianos.bsky.social @vesselspotter.eurosky.social
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The owner & manager are listed at an address in Shanghai c/o Room 702, 555 Xujiahui Lu, Huangpu Qu. Another tanker SEA OWL I (IMO 9321172) (Eq. Guinea flag) is owned/managed by different companies at the exact same address. Tradewinds contacted them but surprise surprise, no reply.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
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.com
Iran strikes again at Procopiou’s fleet
A 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...
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
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.tt
Guyana launches criminal probe as crews scour waters for survivors after ferry capsizes
The 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...
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Reposted by The Naval Architect
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 11/07/2026
Inside the risky race through the Strait of Hormuz ft.trib.al/tf2Hh9V
ft.trib.al
Inside the risky race through the Strait of Hormuz
Vessels that dare to use route close to Oman’s coast face increased risk of Iranian missiles
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Are these the same actors?
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
What a great idea. I was in the Naval Architecture Class of 1986 - such happy memories.
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Billionaires: “Lip balm?”
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The Naval Architect @navalarchitect.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
You’re absolutely right, not forgetting the business-critical role played by Lloyds Register who only recently apologised following years of denial
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