A vessel hybrid combined cycle power and propulsion system includes a steam turbine, a gas turbine, an auxiliary generator, an electric propulsion drive system, and an energy storage system, each connected to an AC bus. The system further includes a source of steam for the steam turbine, a control system for controlling operation of the steam turbine, gas turbine, auxiliary generators, electric drive propulsion system and energy storage system. The primary source of steam for the steam turbine is exhaust gas from the gas turbine. The primary source of gas for the gas turbine is boil off gas from the cargo hold. The AC bus includes a plurality of sections of AC bus coupled together by bus ties closed in normal operation forming a closed ring AC bus. The electric propulsion drive system includes a variable speed drive, driving an electric motor coupled through a drive shaft to a propeller.

A vessel configured for transporting cargo can be configured to route air from an external environment through one or more fluid conduits and out one or more fluid outlets to generate a boundary layer at least partially over an external surface. The vessel can include a fluid supply system configured to pull the air from the external environment and release the air along the external surface of the hull. In response to releasing the air, drag can be reduced significantly and the vessel can travel at high speeds with a majority of the hull below a surface of a body of water.

A method for transporting carbo by water comprises loading the cargo into a cargo bay disposed within a hull of the vessel and transporting the cargo from a first port to a second port. The transporting the cargo from the first port to the second port can be performed for at least a portion of the cargo trip in a high-speed mode of operation. The high-speed mode of operation can comprise directing a first portion of air to an air-breathing engine, forming a boundary layer along an external surface of the hull with a second portion of the air, and propelling, by the air-breathing engine, the vessel with the first portion of the air being a motive fluid.

A vessel configured to transport cargo by water, includes a hull; a cargo bay disposed within the hull; and a first propulsion system comprising a rocket engine and a re-usable ignition system, the rocket engine coupled to the hull, the re-usable ignition system configured to ignite a solid propellant a plurality of distinct and separate times. The vessel can further comprise a fluid supply system configured to generate a boundary layer with a fluid over an external surface of the hull in at least one mode of operation, the fluid being different than water.