Featured Articles

Please wait a minute... For Selected: Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX Toggle Thumbnails Select Development and Prospects of Nuclear Power Technology for Ships HU Keyi, WANG Bing Ship & Boat    2025, 36 (05): 1-13.   DOI: 10.19423/j.cnki.31-1561/u.2025.133 Abstract （918）            Knowledge map    Save With the continuous advancement of decarbonization in the maritime industry, especially after MEPC 80 setting the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the application of low-carbon/zero-carbon fuels has become a major focus. The large-scale adoption of energy sources such as liquid ammonia, liquid hydrogen, green methanol, and LNG is gradually accelerating. Nuclear energy, as a clean energy source, is also of increasing interest to the maritime industry. With the development of fourth-generation small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the inherent safety attributes of reactors have been enhanced while reducing the risk of radiation leakage, making nuclear energy a possible propulsion method for large commercial vessels. Starting from the decarbonization needs of the maritime industry, the current use of nuclear energy as a marine propulsion method has been introduced with a focus on the recent technological developments of fourth-generation SMRs. It particularly analyzes their development potential as marine small reactors and proposes key factors that should be considered for their application onboard ships. It focuses on the unique application advantages of molten salt reactors (MSRs), especially thorium-based solid-fueled MSRs, for civilian ships. It also analyzes and prospects the application of SMRs in Suezmax oil tankers, ultra-large container ships, and floating power generation platforms. It can provide theoretical support and references for subsequent engineering applications of nuclear power in ships. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Perspectives on Meso- and Macro-Zooplankton Sampling Nets and Marine Equipment SHEN Yue, ZHOU Meng, TANG Qingzhi Ship & Boat    2025, 36 (05): 14-27.   DOI: 10.19423/j.cnki.31-1561/u.2025.130 Abstract （162）      PDF （3583KB）（89）       Knowledge map    Save Zooplankton nets are fundamental tools for biological oceanography, and their sampling quality directly affects the evaluation accuracy of species composition and ecological function. The technical evolution of zooplankton nets from early vertical hauls to modern multi-net platforms (such as MOCNESS and Multinet) has been reviewed to highlight significant advancements in mechanical control, telemetry, and depth-resolved sampling. It analyzes the complementary role of non-contact technologies, such as optics, acoustic, and environment DNA, to traditional nets, emphasizing the continuing necessity of net sampling in species identification and data verification. It is further proposed that the future development of zooplankton nets should integrate sensing systems, artificial intelligence, and sample-preservation technologies to develop a “smart net” system for efficient, low-bias and quantitative sampling of meso- and macro-zooplankton. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Current Status and Trends of Ocean Drilling Vessel Technology Development ZHANG Haibin, YIN Xianfeng, HE Jinhui, YU Liang, HU Lin, SI Songpeng Ship & Boat    2025, 36 (04): 1-12.   DOI: 10.19423/j.cnki.31-1561/u.2025.101 Abstract （218）      PDF （3391KB）（166）       Knowledge map    Save This article summarizes the four main stages of the development of international ocean scientific drilling: deep sea drilling project, international ocean drilling program, integrated ocean drilling program and international ocean discovery program, and introduces the main scientific achievements obtained during each stage. China also participated in the above stages, leading four voyages across three ocean scientific drilling projects, and achieved a series of scientific achievements in the South China Sea. The development of international ocean scientific drilling is closely related to the development of ocean drilling vessels. The development of worldwide ocean scientific drilling equipment is chronologically introduced with a focus on the technical characteristics of China's first ocean scientific drilling vessel, the “Mengxiang”. Finally, the development of the ocean scientific drilling technology is analyzed based on the development history of the ocean drilling and the update and iteration of the ocean drilling vessels. It can provide references for the development of the international ocean scientific drilling. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select An Improved YOLOv11-Based Target Detection Method for Underwater Hull-Cleaning Robots HONG Xinyang, JIA Bowei, CHEN Daoyi Ship & Boat    2025, 36 (04): 13-26.   DOI: 10.19423/j.cnki.31-1561/u.2025.041 Abstract （317）      PDF （1613KB）（143）       Knowledge map    Save In underwater hull cleaning tasks, the detection and precise identification of fouling and obstacles by target detection technology are critical for enhancing the efficiency of automated cleaning. The current underwater-hull cleaning robots primarily rely on manual visual inspection for environmental perception and target localization, which imposes efficiency bottlenecks and safety hazards. An improved model, YOLO-HC, is proposed based on the YOLOv11 framework. The model enhances cross-scale feature extraction capability by constructing a Multi-scale Dilated Attention module (MSDA_C2PSA), optimizes multi-level target representation fusion by using a Bi-directional Weighted Feature Pyramid, and further improves detection robustness by integrating multiple attention mechanisms into the dynamic detection head. In experiments on a self-built underwater hull surface dataset, the model achieved 87.0% and 62.4% on the mAP@0.5 and mAP@0.5:0.95 metrics, with increases of 2.2% and 3.4% compared to the baseline model, respectively. It provides an accurate and efficient target detection method for underwater hull cleaning tasks, advancing the goal of intelligent and unmanned hull cleaning. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Development and Application of Equipment for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships TANG Min, CHEN Hualong, WEN Yuanqiao, DONG Shengli, WEI Muheng, LI Yongjie Ship & Boat    2025, 36 (03): 1-9.   DOI: 10.19423/j.cnki.31-1561/u.2025.038 Abstract （260）      PDF （3966KB）（313）       Knowledge map    Save Maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) represent a critical direction for the development of current maritime industry. Their health development requires support from a comprehensive equipment system. Aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Code framework, this study focuses on the implementation of remotely operated vessels with autonomous capabilities. Through systematic analysis of the technological requirements for autonomous marine equipment, this study investigates the establishment of an overall architectural framework, a supporting equipment system, and processes for autonomy design and level evaluations. The key points and recommendations for the research and development of onboard autonomous functional systems and digital-intelligent equipment are proposed. It provides a systematic framework for the commercial application of autonomous ship equipment. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select A Review of Local Path Planning Algorithms for Unmanned Ships JIN Yuan, LOU Jiankun, WANG Hongdong, WANG Zhihong, ZHANG Yongzhou Ship & Boat    2025, 36 (03): 10-22.   DOI: 10.19423/j.cnki.31-1561/u.2025.067 Abstract （467）      PDF （1852KB）（479）       Knowledge map    Save Autonomous navigation systems serve as the foundation for unmanned surface ship operations, with local path planning algorithms being crucial components of these systems. The local path planning algorithms for unmanned surface ships are systematically reviewed, focusing on commonly used algorithms including the A*, Artificial Potential Field, Rapidly-exploring Random Trees, Dynamic Window Approach, Velocity Obstacle and intelligent optimization algorithms. It analyzes their fundamental principles, strengths and limitations, and summarizes their applications in path planning of unmanned surface ships. Current local path planning algorithms have demonstrated practical utility in simple scenarios such as open waters. However, significant challenges remain in complex situations, primarily due to high-density unstructured navigation environments, highly dynamic and strongly nonlinear environmental disturbances, and multi-constraint, multi-objective mission scenarios. It is recommended to further investigate the constraint-loading mechanisms of maneuvering motion models, advance multi-algorithm collaborative planning theories for full-mission scenarios and develop large model-driven decision-making and planning methodologies for unmanned surface ships. These efforts aim to address local path planning challenges in complex environments and missions. It can provide systematic references for theoretical research and engineering applications of local path planning technologies for unmanned surface ships. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Uncertainty-Based Ship Design Optimization Method LI Heng, LIU Zuyuan, FENG Baiwei, ZHENG Qiang Ship & Boat    2025, 36 (02): 1-12.   DOI: 10.19423/j.cnki.31-1561/u.2024.151 Abstract （315）      PDF （3056KB）（383）       Knowledge map    Save In ship design optimization, uncertainties in design variables or operational environments may prevent the ship performance from achieving the optimal objectives under the design conditions, and even lead to drastic performance deviations, causing the original design scheme to fail. The uncertainty-based design optimization method has been introduced into the ship design in order to mitigate the influence of uncertainties on the ship performance and enhance the robustness and reliability of ship design schemes. A mathematical model for the ship design optimization under the influence of uncertainties is established, along with its corresponding solution process. This method is then applied to the design optimization of a bulk carrier. The optimization results show that compared with the deterministic optimization scheme, the uncertainty-based optimization scheme is superior, and its robustness and reliability have been significantly improved. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics