Ship Design & Engineering

Our ship design teams combine creativity, pragmatism and discipline to deliver the full range of ship design, naval architectural analysis and engineering services to optimise client’s vessel performance in three main sectors.

Passenger Transport

Houlder has a wealth of experience supporting ferry operators with new build designs, upgrades and conversions. New builds include vessels for the Gosport Ferry Company, Wightlink and CalMac Ferries. The company has also undertaken major conversion and upgrade works for Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, P&O Ferries and Condor Ferries.

Super and Megayachts

Houlder’s marine design and consultancy business supports yacht owners, operators and designers with a range of naval architecture, marine engineering and project support services from pre-contract concept development, through shipyard procurement to refit and Newbuild supervision.

Offshore Oil & Gas

Houlder’s Oil & Gas design track record includes offshore support vessels, cable laying ships, Floating Production Units (see below), dive support, drilling ships, crew accommodation and other specialist use assets including LNG bunkering vessels.

Offshore Renewables

Houlder is designing installation jack ups and accommodation vessels for planned wind farm installation and operations across Europe.

As well as new builds, Houlder ship design teams have converted vessels to provide floating hotel accommodation. For example, it modified the P&O European Seaway cross channel ferry to house technicians working on the Lynn and Inner Dowsing Wind farm.