Part 8/10:
The symbolic transition from steam to diesel propulsion culminated in the 1987 conversion of the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2). This major retrofit replaced her steam turbines with innovative diesel engines, significantly improving her fuel efficiency and operational costs. The QE2's conversion was not a one-off; numerous other vessels followed suit as diesels established themselves as the backbone of modern shipping.
Looking to the Future
Though diesel engines remain a crucial component of marine engineering, there are indications that they too may one day be replaced by emerging technologies. Discussions around nuclear power as an alternative—an abstraction of steam technology—hint that the cycle of innovation is unending.