The students from the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and technology (BUET) have once again demonstrated their engineering excellence in the international stage by securing 3^rd place in the International Student Design Competition for a Safe and Affordable Ferry (2025-26). By competing under the team name “Team Black Pearl", the students presented an innovative ferry design titled “ Niger Drift".

The Competition is organized by Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA), a United States-based organization established in 2008 to promote safer ferry design and operation worldwide. In addition to improving ferry safety, WFSA also emphasizes environmentally responsible maritime transportation, recognizing the need to reduce emissions and improve sustainability in the ferry sector. Through this competition, students from universities around the world are encouraged to design ferries capable of addressing real-world transportation challenges in developing regions.

This time, the 13^th edition of this competition, held from October to December 2025, brought together teams from several leading universities. Representing BUET, a seven-member team from the NAME department, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Zobair Ibn Awal and Md. Abdul Kader, achieved 3^rd place, continuing the department's strong record of success in the competition. The final design was submitted in December 2025, and the results were officially announced in February 2026.

The members of the Team Black Pearl of this year were:

1.     Md. Kawsar Mhamud Zidan (Team Captain)

2.     Md. Atiqur Rahaman

3.     Md. Khairul Islam

4.     Shafollo Proshad Gupto

5.     Ahsan Ahmed

6.     Saiham Tubash

7.     Aranya Mondal

This year, first place award went to the team from Indonesias Universitas and second place was achieved by the team from Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS Surabaya), Indonesia. The first-place winner received $5000, while the second-place winner received $3000. And Team black pearl received $1000 as a 3^rd winner. Previously Team Black Pearl achieved champion title at 12^th edition of the competition, 2^nd place in the 11^th edition of the competition which represents the continuity of success over the years.

Each year, the competition defines a specific ferry route, operational requirements and passenger capacity to simulate real-world design challenges. For the 13^th edition, participants were asked to design a ferry operating along the Onitsha-Lokoja route in Nigeria, a river transport corridor that plays an important role in regional connectivity. The ferry was required to carry 200 passengers while ensuring safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operations.

The team's design, “Niger Drift", is a CNG electric hybrid ferry developed to provide a safe and environmentally responsible transportation solution for the given route. The vessel features an optimized aluminum made catamaran hull with double deck configuration allowing it to accommodate 200 passengers while ensuring stability and efficient use of space.

Constructed from a lightweight yet durable aluminum structure, the ferry measures 38 meters in length and 10 meters in breadth providing improved stability and compatible for extensive shallow draft, making the vessel suitable for river operation where the water depth is low which was one of the design challenges.

The propulsion system utilizes a hybrid configuration powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric energy, significantly reducing emission compared  to conventional diesel-powered ferries. The design also includes battery system for hotel loads and emergency power. This approach allows the vessel to operate with improved fuel efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Designed for the 200-kilometer route, the ferry can complete the journey in approximately five and a half hour allowing the vessel to operate a round trip per day between 6 AM to 6 PM including the fuel refueling. To support the operation, the team proposed a floating pontoon facility with CNG refueling services. The estimated construction cost of the vessel is approximately $1.7 million.

By demonstrating strong engineering capability and innovative thinking to the highly competitive international competition, The Team Black Pearl once again make this institution proud. Their achievement reflects the ability of young Bangladeshi engineers to contribute meaningfully to the global maritime industry and the development of sustainable water transportation systems.