Special is a category used across the shipbuilding and ship design industry for vessels that don't fit naturally within the more established, clearly defined vessel types — such as fishing vessels, well boats, offshore support vessels or ferries. These are typically vessels designed for a specific, often unique purpose, where standard classifications don't apply.

Our first design in this category, a Semi-Submersible Barge, is a clear example: a purpose-built vessel that can ballast down to float cargo on or off its deck, and deballast to lift and transport it — commonly used for heavy-lift and transport of large structures, rigs or other vessels. It's a specialised solution rather than a standard vessel type, which is exactly why it belongs under Special.