Steerable pod drives of the Volvo IPS or ZF Zeus type have been around for a few years with recreation rating. Now Volvo Penta offer IPS with light commercial rating - watch for changes in the patrol boat and workboat world.

The high cost and complexity of modern ships may point to an alternative to the sale or scrapping a vessel as it ceases to fulfill all the requirements of its original task. In some cases new or upgrading older engines, in other cases the propulsion configuration is changed, rewarding the operator with lower fuel costs and emissions.