SORTA 2024 is the 26th Symposium on the Theory and Practice of Shipbuilding, held in memory of Professor Leopold Sorta, and jointly organized by the Maritime Department, University of Zadar, Croatia, and the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Italy, with support of the Digital Innovation HUB Innovamare, Šibenik, Croatia. The significant tradition of the symposium demonstrates the importance of shipbuilding science and practice for both the economic and scientific development of the Republic of Croatia. Continuing this significant tradition, the SORTA 2024 Symposium will contribute to the integration of existing knowledge and experience in the context of modern scientific and professional achievements in the field of shipbuilding, offshore engineering, maritime and inland navigation, through invited lectures, scientific and professional papers, panel discussions and round tables.

The 26th Symposium on the Theory and Practice of Shipbuilding (SORTA 2024) is back in Zadar, where it was last held in 1998, when it was organized by Lamjana Shipyard and Tankerska Plovidba. The Standing Committee was present at the symposium, including representatives of the Croatian maritime excellence. An International Scientific Committee, composed of members from international academic institutions and relevant industrial sectors, further ensured the scientific quality of the symposium under the guidance of the chairperson, Professor Jasna Prpić-Oršić (University of Rijeka).

Previous editions of the symposium were held in Zagreb (1974, 1976, 1978), Opatija (1980), Split (1982), Belgrade (1984), Pula (1986), Zagreb (1988), Dubrovnik (1990), Opatija (1992), Dubrovnik (1994), Zagreb (1996), Zadar (1998), Rijeka (2000), Trogir (2002), Plitvice Lakes (2004), Rijeka (2006), Pula (2008), Lumbarda (2010), Zagreb (2012), Baška (2014), Trogir (2016), Split (2018), Rijeka (2020), and Malinska (2022).

The Editors