What Incat Crowther does

Incat Crowther is a private marine engineering and ship design firm that produces bespoke vessel designs for commercial ferry operators, offshore energy companies, defense agencies, tourism operators, and luxury yacht clients. The company operates through three regional offices—Belrose (Australia, headquarters), Lafayette, Louisiana (North America), and Eastleigh (UK, opened 2023)—and supports vessel construction through a curated global network of 116 shipyards across more than 20 countries. Its core technology is a proprietary "Digital Shipbuilding" platform: a 3D model-based design and production engineering methodology that produces detailed production packages (cutting data, pipe spools, material take-offs, interference checks) plus a digital twin used for lifetime maintenance. The platform enables a single design to be built at multiple shipyards worldwide with consistent quality.

The product portfolio spans catamaran, monohull, and wave-piercing hull forms in aluminum, composite, and steel, including commuter ferries, very large Ro-Pax ferries (e.g., the 123m Eleanor Roosevelt for Baleària), hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell ferries, crew transfer vessels for offshore wind (WindFlex-27 series), research vessels, patrol boats, and an emerging line of unmanned surface vessels (ROMULUS family) co-developed with Huntington Ingalls Industries. Revenue is generated through professional services fees for design, build-oversight/project assurance, and lifetime consulting; pricing is project-based and bespoke, not publicly disclosed. Notable recent activity includes the 2025 HII partnership on the AI-enabled ROMULUS USV, a hydrogen fuel cell ferry with SWITCH Maritime for New York, and selection to design a 10-vessel CTV fleet for Fast Offshore Supply.

Name

Incat Crowther

Legal name

Incat Crowther Pty Limited

Website

https://incatcrowther.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Incat Crowther is a private marine design firm that uses a proprietary 3D digital shipbuilding platform to deliver bespoke commercial, defense, and luxury vessels, working through offices in Australia, the US, and UK and a network of 116 shipyards worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Engineering Design

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Production Design & Detailed Engineering (3D CAD, Drawings, BOM, Nesting) (IMAJAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project Management & Owner’s Engineering / Technical Consultancy (Spec Writing, Bid Support, Site Support) (IMAJAGAO), Concept & Feasibility Naval Architecture (Requirements, Trade Studies) (IMAJAGAA)

Keywords

• Marine engineering design
• Vessel design services
• Digital shipbuilding
• Naval architecture
• Ship design consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Belrose

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Vessel Design Services: Incat Crowther provides comprehensive vessel design services including naval architecture, hull design, stability calculations, and systems engineering. The company develops operation-specific designs in partnership with operators using an iterative process.
2. Build Oversight and Project Assurance: The company provides project and quality management services overseeing construction at trusted shipyard partners, from inception through delivery, ensuring first-world quality on time and on budget.
3. Consulting Services: Lifetime support services including regulatory compliance assistance, maintenance optimization using digital twin data, and upgrade planning for future vessels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Incat Crowther provides bespoke commercial vessel design services covering naval architecture, hull form design, stability calculations, and systems engineering for catamaran, monohull, and trimaran vessels in aluminium, composite, and steel construction. The firm develops operation-specific designs in partnership with vessel operators using an iterative process, supported by a proprietary Digital Shipbuilding platform that produces comprehensive 3D production engineering information for construction at any of 116 partner shipyards worldwide. Services extend beyond design to include construction oversight, project assurance, and lifetime consulting using digital twin data.

Product overview

Incat Crowther is a global digital shipbuilder offering a diverse portfolio of vessels across commercial, defense, and luxury segments. The company provides catamaran, monohull, and wave piercing hull forms in aluminium, composite, and steel construction. Key product lines include: electric and hybrid passenger ferries (commuter, Ro-Pax, tourist) for operators worldwide; unmanned surface vessels (ROMULUS family) for defense applications; offshore wind support vessels (crew transfer vessels with hybrid/electric options); research vessels for scientific missions; patrol boats and security vessels for defense; support yachts (ShadowCat series); and motor yachts. The company operates its proprietary Digital Shipbuilding process using 3D models and Digital Twin technology for design, construction, and lifetime maintenance support. Incat Crowther maintains offices in Sydney (Australia), Lafayette (Louisiana, USA), and Eastleigh (UK).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vessel Design Services Comprehensive vessel design services covering naval architecture, hull form design, stability calculations, and systems engineering for catamaran, monohull, and trimaran vessels. Designs are developed in partnership with vessel operators using an iterative process tailored to specific routes and operational requirements.
• Build Oversight and Project Assurance Project management and quality assurance services overseeing construction at partner shipyards worldwide, managing international tenders, facilitating shipyard selection, and ensuring consistent build quality and on-time delivery.
• Consulting and Lifetime Support Services Lifetime support services for Incat Crowther-designed vessels including regulatory compliance assistance, maintenance optimization using digital twin data, and upgrade planning to extend operational life and improve efficiency.
• Digital Shipbuilding Platform Proprietary digital shipbuilding methodology using comprehensive 3D models with production engineering information and Digital Twin technology for vessel lifecycle management, enabling manufacturing at multiple global shipyard locations with consistent quality.
• Passenger Ferry Designs (Commuter, Ro-Pax, Tourist, Liveaboard) Bespoke catamaran and monohull passenger ferry designs for urban commuter routes, Ro-Pax vehicle and passenger routes, tourist sightseeing, and overnight liveaboard operations. Available in various sizes with battery electric, hybrid, and conventional propulsion options.
• Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) and Offshore Wind Support Designs Specialized catamaran and monohull crew transfer vessel designs for offshore wind and oil & gas industries, featuring Resilient Bow Technology for operations in challenging sea conditions up to 2m wave height, with hybrid and parallel hybrid propulsion options.
• ROMULUS Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) Designs High-endurance unmanned surface vessel designs for U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, joint forces, and allied operations. Integrates HII's Odyssey Autonomous Control System with technologies from Shield AI, Applied Intuition, and C3 AI for autonomous maritime operations including ISR, counter-UAV, mine countermeasures, and strike missions.
• Research Vessel Designs Custom-designed research vessels for government agencies, research laboratories, and educational institutions, featuring customized research capabilities, silent operation for surveys, modular payload arrangements, and long-range operations with hybrid/electric propulsion.
• Patrol Boat and Security Vessel Designs Monohull patrol boats and security vessels for navies, coast guards, customs, and enforcement agencies, including ballistic-protected designs with 1000+ nautical mile range and specialized configurations for enforcement and rescue operations.
• ShadowCat Support Yacht Designs Award-winning bespoke support yacht designs available in multiple sizes for luxury yacht support operations, featuring helicopter landing capability, submersible launch and recovery systems, and spacious multi-deck configurations.
• Motor Yacht Designs Bespoke motor yacht designs including catamaran and wave piercing hull forms with high-performance capabilities and custom configurations for private luxury yacht ownership.
• Electric Cargo Vessel Designs Ultra-efficient all-electric light cargo transfer vessel designs for urban waterways and short-sea shipping operations, developed as part of maritime decarbonization programs.
• Dive Support Vessel Designs Specialized dive support vessel designs featuring full dive support equipment including ROV A-Frames, dive bell frames, and hyperbaric chambers for commercial diving operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750,000kg reduction in carbon emissions per year for Auckland Devonport route
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2025Strategic partnership for ROMULUS family of modular AI-enabled unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Incat Crowther provides vessel design while HII contributes Odyssey Autonomous Control System. ROMULUS 190 is the 190-foot lead vessel under construction at Breaux Brothers.
• Breaux Brothers EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary US shipbuilding partner for ROMULUS USV production and various commercial vessels. Located in Louisiana with expanded facility for serial production.
• Shield AIkeyTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing autonomous systems for ROMULUS USV family, integrated with HII's Odyssey control system.
• Applied IntuitionkeyTechnology or IntegrationAI and autonomy technology provider for ROMULUS USV family, contributing to multi-domain operations capabilities.
• C3 AIkeyTechnology or IntegrationEnterprise AI software provider integrated into ROMULUS USV for autonomous operations and lifecycle sustainment.
• Sea Machines RoboticskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on STEAMRACER-class autonomous surface vessel for US Navy MASC program. Incat Crowther provides vessel design for autonomous operations.
• St. Johns Ship BuildingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS shipbuilding partner for STEAMRACER autonomous vessel development.
• TOTE ServicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner for STEAMRACER autonomous vessel program.
• Sierra Nevada CorporationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCybersecurity solutions provider for STEAMRACER autonomous vessel.
• Q-West Boat BuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNew Zealand shipbuilder for Auckland electric hybrid fast ferry project, built by Q-West with systems integration by Hamilton Jet.
• Hamilton JetkeyTechnology or IntegrationSystems integration partner providing HTX42 water jets for Auckland electric ferry project.
• Astilleros ArmoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSpanish shipbuilder for Baleària Ro-Pax ferries including Eleanor Roosevelt, Margarita Salas, Mercedes Pinto, and new all-electric España 2030/Maroc 2030 vessels.
• Penguin Shipyard InternationalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSingapore-based shipbuilder for multiple CTV fleets including Farra Marine WindFlex-27 series and Norwegian Cruise Line tenders.
• Penguin Shipyard InternationalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilt three 25-metre cruise tenders for Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay private island resort.
• Richardson Devine MarinekeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTasmanian shipbuilder for Odalisque III boutique cruise vessel and Sydney electric ferry project.
• Kangnam CorporationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSouth Korean shipbuilder for 80-metre high-speed Ro-Pax ferry for Korea Express Ferry, following successful Korea Pride project.
• Austal VietnamkeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVietnam shipbuilder for 36-metre passenger vessel for Cruise Whitsundays.
• Volvo PentakeyTechnology or IntegrationIMO Tier III engines provided for WindFlex-27 CTV series, representing significant step forward in emissions reduction.
• Midship MarinekeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLouisiana shipbuilder for US-based projects including 48m catamaran for HyLine Cruises and research vessels.
• Beier Integrated SystemskeyTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for ROMULUS USV family providing integrated systems for autonomous operations.
• Snow & CompanykeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSeattle shipbuilder for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory hybrid research vessel with Volvo Penta D8 engines and Danfoss Editron motor-generators.
• Seacrest Marine ThailandkeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThailand shipbuilder for Chai Jinda 42m patrol boat with MTU engines.
• AFAI Southern ShipyardkeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChinese shipyard for Kilimanjaro IX and other Asian projects.
• Aluminium MarinekeyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAustralian shipbuilder for Tuhi Rapa and other vessels.
• SWITCH MaritimekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero-emission vessel developer partnership for hydrogen fuel cell-electric ferry design including Sea Change (world's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered ferry) and New York demonstration project.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jensen Maritime: US-based naval architecture subsidiary of Crowley Maritime, designing tugs, barges, and offshore support vessels. Comparable bespoke design business model and similar vessel type overlap (offshore wind support, workboats).
• Knud E. Hansen: Danish naval architecture firm designing cruise ships, ferries, and Ro-Pax vessels. Directly comparable in commercial ferry design expertise and European operator base.
• Robert Allan Ltd: Canadian naval architecture firm specializing in tugboats, workboats, fast ferries and offshore vessels. Highly comparable to Incat Crowther in terms of bespoke design-only model, vessel type overlap (CTV, ferries, patrol), and global operator base.
• BMT Group: Global marine design and consultancy firm with naval architecture capabilities across commercial, defense, and offshore markets. Comparable to Incat Crowther in offering full lifecycle design, engineering, and consulting services for vessels.
• One2Three Naval Architects: Australian naval architecture firm specializing in commercial vessel design, including ferries and patrol boats. Comparable regional peer with overlapping domestic client base and similar vessel categories.
• Glosten: Independent US naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy with a 65+ year history designing ferries, research vessels, offshore vessels, and specialty ships. Closely comparable in size, design-only model, and vessel category mix.

Emerging players

• Brødrene Aa: Norwegian carbon-fiber fast ferry designer/builder, notable for zero-emission and hydrogen vessels. Comparable to Incat Crowther's pioneering work in hydrogen ferries and fast ferry catamaran designs.

Broad incumbents

• Wärtsilä: Finnish marine technology giant supplying engines, propulsion systems, and ship design services. Overlaps with Incat Crowther in hybrid/electric propulsion and zero-emission vessel concepts, but operates at vastly larger scale and scope.
• Austal: Australian-headquartered global shipbuilder designing and constructing high-speed aluminum ferries, naval vessels, and catamarans. Comparable in vessel type and Australian origin, but is a vertically integrated builder rather than a design-only firm.
• Damenshipyards Group: Dutch global shipbuilder with an extensive range of workboats, ferries, patrol vessels and offshore support vessels. Comparable vessel categories (CTV, patrol, ferries) but is an integrated builder-operator, not a pure design firm.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/incatcrowther
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/incat-crowther

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Incat Crowther