Frank Roland of the Center of Maritime Technologies (CMT) in Hamburg rejects the argument that shipping is conservative and slow to adapt.
The fact is that testing times are longer because vessels are expected to last for around 30 years and operate in extreme seas and weather conditions, he says.
Composite materials have been used in pleasure craft for 50 years, providing plenty of feedback on behaviour in seawater, adds Stephane Paboeuf of Bureau Veritas.
