Glasgow-based EcoNavis Solutions and Singapore’s ShipDyn are collaborating to commercialize an innovative Y-Hull form that merges the stability of a catamaran with the efficiency of a monohull. The design features twin forward demi-hulls that merge into a single hull aft, allowing vessels to operate with one engine while retaining broad beam and deck space.
The partners say the Y-Hull offers improved stability, reduced wake, enhanced passenger comfort, and significant fuel savings. ShipDyn founder Amitavo Wye designed the 13m prototype after a passenger ferry accident in Bangladesh, aiming to boost safety and reduce riverbank erosion. The operational ferry has reportedly cut fuel use by 25% compared with a similar monohull.
EcoNavis CEO Dr. Batuhan Aktas highlighted the hull’s potential for offshore crew transfer vessels and other sectors where fuel efficiency and sustainability are key. The design is being refined through simulations and towing tank tests, with plans for commercial rollout pending further UK Transport Research and Innovation Grant funding.
The Y-Hull could also benefit larger vessels, with estimates suggesting a 240m tanker could save around 4,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Retrofitting existing ships is another possibility, replacing the forward section to gain efficiency without a full rebuild.
ShipDyn and EcoNavis see the partnership as a bridge between innovative design and hydrodynamic optimization, aiming to turn the Y-Hull prototype into a practical, market-ready solution for safer, greener shipping.
