Over the past several decades cargo ships have changed considerably, with a variety of factors influencing new designs. Tightening environmental and manning regulations, as well as new technological advances, have all played their part. While cargo ships’ external profiles have not changed too much, except among certain types of vessels, power and propulsion systems have continued to evolve, as new fuels have been introduced and a growing number of energy-saving devices, such as rotors and sails, installed.
Container ships continue to gain the most attention because of the near-monthly announcements of a new ‘world’s largest ship’ record, as operators seek economy of scale, but other vessels are also making news. Gas tankers, which carry gases under refrigeration and/or compression, have become particularly important, as new energy sources are exploited, while attempts are made to reduce ships’
