The ship's quiet operation came in for considerable praise when it went into service as Ireland's first deep-sea research vessel. Celtic Explorer, which draws 5.45m, is powered by a very quiet diesel electric plant from Wartsila/Bakker Sliedrecht which utilises two 1,500kW electric motors in tandem to propel the vessel at up to 15.5 knots. It also boasts bow and stern thrusters.

Inland shipyards meanwhile have reported continuing lengthening work. The Braun Shipyard in Speyer on the Rhine has completed the latest in a series of inland tankship conversions. Over a period of 35 days, the yard lengthened the Hamburg-based LRG Gas 83 by just 1.5m to 110m, the maximum permitted length for Europa class ships. The vessel's pump room was eliminated, submersible pumps installed and the space won as a result was used for an additional 135 cu/m gas container.

Earlier the Kotter Werft in Haren on the Ems lengthened the inland tanker Charisma by 5m to 85m, the maximum length for the locks in Minden which connect the Mittelland Canal with the River Weser. The owners also used the yard lay up time to have other work done on the ship, including the installation of new rudder blades.