The purpose of this paper is to analyze the reasons underlying the development of new shipping systems and the realization of better board equipment and fittings. At first, the events which have led to the present technical solutions will be considered, the main characteristics of which being energy saving nd the use of alternative energy forms, without however impairing the efficiency of the services they are devised for.
The second part of this study regards present-day trends in the shipbuilding industry, and hypotheses as to their future development, in the light of new transport- prospectives.
Particular attention is given to the possibilities of developing new systems of barge-carrying ships, of “slurry” ships, “swath” systems and the recent integrated constructions consisting of barges and tug-boats, thereby also taking into account their use in river and sea systems.
A survey follows, regarding recent laws and regulations relevant to the safeguard of human life at sea and regulations concerning the prevention of sea pollution, thereby briefly evaluating their probable effects on the shipbuilding industry; for a better comprehension of this aspect a further look at past effects of this kind may prove useful.
This paper then examines in detail some technical solutions that are being studied and applied to improve the ship’s efficiency. These solutions regard:
a) systems for the loading and unloading of acrgo on ships which have so far not been equipped with such systems;
b) studies and applications concerning on hydrodynamics on the bottom and the propeller;
c) recent studies and realizations concerning coal-fuelled ship-propulsion;
d) studies and realizations of propulsive systems driven by alternative energy forms, such as wind;
e) prospective use of new fuels in naval engines;
f) Technical measures aiming at an optimum exploitation of propulsive equipments.
These various uses may not only lead to a reduction in energy consumption and improve the efficiency of the equipment and the transport and the distribution of goods by sea, but also contribute to relaunching the shipbuilding industry.
