Sustainability and Innovation in Ship Design and Operations Conference 2026
Webb Institute and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, in association with MARIN and Wind Support NYC, will be hosting the 2026 Sustainability and Innovation in Ship Design and Operations conference (SISDO 2026). In this annual conference, we bring together industry and academia to discuss the concepts, technologies, case studies, and success stories related to sustainable design, efficient shipping, and innovative technologies throughout the entire maritime industry. In-person and remote attendance options will be available. This year, SISDO has evolved to welcome a wider range of innovative research and activities that contribute to an efficient, next-generation maritime industry.
Registration for the conference is now open and details can be found below. The conference organizers have also extended the deadline to submit abstracts for presentations and papers until September 25. Topics with the design and operation of ships in all appropriate areas of interest are welcome and will include, but are not limited to, the following domains and topics:
Domains
- Vessel lifecycle – shipbuilding,
operations, recycling - Container, bulk, tanker shipping
- Cruising
- Ferries
- Offshore
- Small boats and workboats
- Government and military vessels
Topics
- Alternative energy and power technology
- Natural propulsion
- Air, water, noise pollution
- Regulations and classification
- Financing and economics of sustainability
- Port environmental concerns
- Fleetwide optimizations
- Training and education for next generation
Important Dates
September 1, 2026 Conference registration opens
September 25, 2026 Abstracts due
October 5, 2026 Paper/presentation submission due
October 19-20, 2026 Conference at Webb Institute
Abstract Submission
SISDO 2026 welcomes technical and research papers, presentations, and student projects (see below).
Abstract submissions for either papers or presentations should be less than 500 words and include the following information (exclusive of abstract word limit):
1. Corresponding author’s name, email address, and organization represented
2. Type of submission (choose one): paper/presentation, presentation only, student project
3. Suggested track (choose one): research or industry
Content Submission
Completed content including papers and presentations should be submitted by October 5, 2026. If any revision or adjustment is deemed necessary by the conference committee, prompt notice will be given to the corresponding author(s). Please submit any revised versions as soon as possible. Submit final versions of papers adhering to the provided paper template for publication in conference proceedings. Presentations may use any format, so long as it is appropriate for the conference.
Research and Industry Tracks
This year, SISDO will target two tracks, one for academic research and student projects, the other for industry advancements. We invite researchers, post-docs, faculty, independent researchers, research assistants, and so on to submit relevant technical papers for presentation and publication in the SISDO conference proceedings. Undergraduate or graduate student projects may also be submitted in this track, either with a technical paper or presentation only.
For the second track, we invite representatives from the maritime and related industries to present advancements, case studies, novel technologies, and new opportunities being experienced in industry. Commercial, non-profit, government, military, and industrial equipment manufacturers and operators are welcome to both present and network with other representatives and students.
Helpful Links
Submissions and questions should be directed to ude.bbew@stneve.
Sponsors and Conference Committee
Academic Sponsors
- Webb Institute, Glen Cove, NY, USA
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY, USA
Industry Sponsors
- MARIN, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wind Support NYC, New York, NY, USA
Conference Committee
- Spenser Boyd, Webb Institute
- Bradley Golden, Webb Institute
- Sergio Perez
- Matthew Bonvento
- Guilhem Gaillarde, MARIN
- Laurent Corbel, Wind Support NYC
Registration:
Register for in person below
Schedule of events:
Day 1
| Time | Presentation Topic | Presenter | |
| 9:00 | Risk Mitigation for Innovative Designs Part 1* | Ian Busch | |
| 10:00 | Perspectives on Sustainability in Recreational and Wooden Boat Building* | Paul Gartside | |
| 11:00 | Large-Area Additive Manufacturing for HighSpeed Uncrewed Surface Vessels | Addy Lindyberg Troy Zangle | |
| 12:00 | Lunch and Networking | Reception Room | |
| 12:30 | Webb Institute Campus Tour | ||
| 13:00 | Risk Mitigation for Innovative Designs Part 2* | Ian Busch | |
| 14:00 | Air Layer Drag Reduction Systems | Alex Taber David Bell |
|
| 15:00 | TBC** | TBC** | |
| 16:00 | Sail Freight Startup Experience and Lessons Learned | Steven Woods | |
| 17:00 | Closing Remarks | ||
| 17:10 | Refreshments and Networking | Auditorium Lobby |
Day 2
| Time | Presentation Topic | Presenter | |
| 9:00 | Ship Engine Exhaust Emissions Mitigation through Optimized Propeller Design for Reduced Cavitation | Lubomir Ribarov | |
| 10:00 | Design of a Zero Emission Shrimp Cutter* | Yvette Klinkenberg | |
| 11:00 | Wind-Assist Propulsion System Design and Optimization for Cargo* | Bastien Abeil Maxime Garneaux | |
| 12:00 | Lunch and Networking | Reception Room | |
| 13:00 | A Prototype Human-Powerd Electric-Drive Small Boat for Long-Distance Cruising on Rivers and Lakes | Isaac Lee Erik Lund Sergio Perez |
|
| 14:00 | Reassessing 32°C Tropical Seawater Design Condition for Ship Machinery Cooling Under Ocean Warming | Spenser Boyd | |
| 15:00 | The Case for Powered Propellers on Ship Wingsails | Sergio Perez | |
| 16:00 | Closing Remarks | ||
| 16:10 | Refreshments and Networking | Auditorium Lobby |
*Tentative Title
**To Be Confirmed