Intelligent ship, a pivotal focus for the future of the shipping industry, is revolutionizing traditional maritime operations. This article reviews the past decade development, current challenges, and future trends of intelligent ship, effectively outlining the development trajectory and charting a clear path forward. Over the past decade, global nations like Japan, South Korea, the US, and China have been proactively developing intelligent ship, integrating advanced technologies like modern IT and AI. Supported by policies and innovation, they've advanced ship autonomy, remote control, and energy efficiency, significantly propelling the shipping industry's transformation. At present, the growth of intelligent ship is robust, yet they confront multifaceted challenges—ranging from technological hurdles to regulatory frameworks, financial considerations, and the degree of market adoption—that these factors can impede their more rapid advancement. In future, the shipping sector must harness the potential of ongoing tech revolutions, refine policies, nurture skilled experts, and innovate business models to elevate the overall development level of intelligent ship.