With the perspective of full lifecycle, the developments covering design and sustainable operation process for intelligent ships and waterways have obtained more attention. This Reprint focuses on the waterway monitoring, real-time ship environment perception, human-like decision-making, route planning, and high-precision motion control, in combination of advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, big data analysis, mixed reality, building information modelling, and digital twin, in order to improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability throughout the lifetime of intelligent ships.