Baird Maritime / Work Boat World
Best of 2021 Awards
Message from our co-founder Neil Baird
Given the lingering effects of the coronavirus, it is surely amazing that we managed to review almost 300 new and interesting vessels during 2021. Obviously, the vessel type emphasis has changed somewhat from previous years but the sheer volume and the innovation demonstrated in 2021’s crop of launchings is very exciting.
Clearly, the virus has badly damaged the passenger sector, although some, particularly large craft, from the likes of Austal, Damen and Jianglong continue to be ordered and launched. The offshore oil and gas sector continues to suffer from a massive, self-inflicted glut that will take years to clear. However, offshore wind, unbelievably and thanks mainly to heavy subsidies, continues to attract endless orders in what looks like another serious glut in the making.
The fact that many of the same players who caused the O&G glut have seamlessly and Phoenix-like switched to wind, it seems that a day of reckoning will arrive before long. The same reckless lack of foresight and investment sanity prevails and it combines dangerously with suicidal financing.
Ignoring that reality, though, as many in the industry seem to be doing, some very innovative and interesting new boats have hit the water through the year. Our “Best” vessels really are that. All offer considerable food for thought. Even then, most of the few O&G service vessels that have been launched are very impressive ships.
Tugs have continued to be launched, almost daily. The number of their builders and designers continues to diminish as the market consolidates, but the well known names remain at the forefront. They continue to improve steadily in terms of both quality and capability.
Dredgers, too are launched relatively frequently and are a truly international sector. They, too, show ongoing capability development.
Pilot, patrol and rescue boats are likewise seeing a definite consolidation in the number of their builders. However, that has not in anyway reduced the number of such craft being launched. They remain very interesting, exciting and fast-developing vessels.
The surging tide of new ships and boats presented on Baird Maritime is inspiring, particularly given the economic background that prevails. That makes it difficult for us to choose the “Best” vessels. In reality, they are the best of the best. Our judging criteria, as always, are based on finding the best combination of quality, innovation, reliability, utility, economy, sustainability and style. They make for difficult choices but, after very considerable consideration and discussion, the decisions are made. We know that we could be fallible, so we are always interested in any comments or criticisms from readers.
The fundamental idea of awards such as these is to highlight and reward excellence and to publicise it. We also want to give our readers the benefit of the ideas and innovation that the awards recognise. We trust you will be inspired by what you read and will start ordering some excellent new ships and boats for your fleets.
List of Vessels 2021
All the vessels in all categories from around the world that we reviewed in this awards period.
Selection Criteria
How we decide on the award-winning vessels and equipment/service suppliers in each category
THE WINNERS:
Winners will be announced day by day over the course of the event
Best Small SAR Boat:
JB41
Harwood Marine, Australia
Best SAR RIB:
Cape Rose
Dongara Marine, Australia / Southerly Designs, Australia
Best Medium Fifi Boat:
Thor
Kewatec AluBoat, Finland
Best OSV – Large Oil Spill Response Vessel:
KOC Al Zour
Robert Allan Ltd, Canada /
Uzmar Shipyard, Turkey
Best Hospital Ship:
Global Mercy
Stena RoRo, Sweden
Best Offshore Aquaculture Boat:
Kallista Helen
Macduff Ship Design, UK
Best Large Wellboat:
Harald Martin
Tersan Shipyard, Turkey
Best Medium Fish Farm Support Vessel:
Maverick
Southern Ocean Solutions, Australia
Best Scallop Boat:
Lady Comeau III
Allswater Marine, Canada
Best Lobster Boat:
Raging Bull
Dongara Marine, Australia / Southerly Designs, Australia
Best Small Trawler:
Blue Wave
Cabinet SDA, France
Best Shrimper:
Federico C
Astillero Federico Contessi y Cia, Argentina
Best Tuna Seiner:
Via Alize
Piriou, France/Vietnam
Best Factory Ship:
Norvezhskoye More
Marine Engineering Bureau, Russia
Best Multi-Purpose Fishing Vessel:
Jacqueline Ann
Macduff Ship Design, UK
Best RIB Patrol Boat:
Hohapata
Naiad Design, New Zealand
Best Small Patrol Boat:
Roland
Baltic Workboats, Estonia
Best Large Patrol Boat:
Gyptis
OCEA, France
Best Large Research Vessel:
Lana
OCEA, France
Best OSV – Small Crewboat:
Petro Craft 1905-10
OCEA, France
Best OSV –Medium Crewboat:
Tamimi 6
Grandweld Shipyards, UAE
Best OSV – Large Crewboat:
Jana 21
Piriou, France/Vietnam
Best OSV – DSV:
K&C One
Grani, Ukraine
Best OSV – AHTS:
Sayan Prince
Tersan Shipyard, Turkey
Best SWATH – Crewboat:
FOB SWATH 10
Oma Baatbyggeri, Norway
Best OSV – Large Oil Spill Response Vessel:
KOC Al Zour
Robert Allan Ltd, Canada /
Uzmar Shipyard, Turkey
Best Large Tourist Boat:
Dawanqu No 2
CoCo Yachts, Netherlands
Best Whale Watcher:
Te Ao Marama
Teknicraft Design, New Zealand
Best FRP Ferry:
Sigrid Sigurdsdotter
Brødrene Aa, Norway
Best Small Ro-Pax:
FastCat M17
Fastcat, Philippines
Best Medium Ro-Pax:
Hydra
LMG Marin, Norway /
Westcon Yards, Norway
Best Large Ro-Pax:
Cote D’Opale
Stena RoRo, Sweden
Best Medium Cruise Ship:
Ultramarine
LMG Marin, Norway
Best Unique Passenger Vessel:
Terevau Piti
Mauric, France
Best Rail Ro-Pax:
Azerbaijan
Marine Engineering Bureau, Russia
Best Ice-Class Ro-Pax:
Admiral Nevelskoy
Marine Engineering Bureau, Russia
Best Small Pilot Boat:
P2
Cantiere Nautico Portegrandi, Italy
Best Large Pilot Boat:
Mantaray
Hart Marine, Australia
Best Catamaran Pilot Boat:
Ybor
Jutson Marine Design, Canada
ACI Boats, USA
Best OSV – Large Oil Spill Response Vessel:
KOC Al Zour
Robert Allan Ltd, Canada /
Uzmar Shipyard, Turkey
Best Debris Collection Vessel:
Circular Explorer
Holcim, Germany
Best Pollution Removal Landing Craft:
Solander Sentinel
William E. Munson Company, USA
Best Survey Vessel:
JB-01
Marine Consultancy Group, Singapore
Best Large Research Vessel:
Lana
OCEA, France
Best SAR RIB:
Cape Rose
Dongara Marine, Australia / Southerly Designs, Australia
Best Suspension Seat Supplier:
Ullman Dynamics, Sweden
Best SAR RIB:
Cape Rose
Dongara Marine, Australia / Southerly Designs, Australia
Best Medium Fifi Boat:
Thor
Kewatec AluBoat, Finland
Best Electric Outboard Supplier:
Torqeedo, Germany
Best Small Harbour Tug:
Le Moros
Piriou, France/Vietnam
Best Lineboat
Gannet
Robert Allan Ltd, Canada
Sanmar Shipyards, Turkey
Best Ocean Tug:
Saam Acaxual
Robert Allan Ltd, Canada /
Uzmar Shipyard, Turkey
Best Deck Winch Supplier:
DMT Marine Equipment, Romania
Best Ice-Class Tug:
Selene
Robert Allan Ltd, Canada
Sanmar Shipyards, Turkey
Best Bearings Supplier:
Thordon Bearings, Canada
Best Classification Service:
DNV, Norway
Best Design Software Supplier:
SSI, Canada
Best Small Diesel Engine Supplier:
Volvo Penta, Sweden
Best Surface Drive Supplier:
France Helices, France
Best Gearbox Supplier:
ZF Group, Germany
Best Electric Outboard Supplier:
Torqeedo, Germany
Best Oil Filter Supplier:
CC Jensen (CJC), Denmark
Best Bearings Supplier:
Thordon Bearings, Canada
Best Motion Controls Supplier:
Humphree, Sweden
Best Intercom Supplier:
Zenitel, Norway
Best Helm Seat Supplier:
Norsap, Norway
Best Suspension Seat Supplier:
Ullman Dynamics, Sweden
Best Davit Supplier:
Vestdavit, Norway
Best Deck Winch Supplier:
DMT Marine Equipment, Romania
Best Gangway Supplier:
SMST, Netherlands