Fluid Dynamics News

Korean Register (KR) has published the "Numerical Calculation Guidelines for the Determination of the Attained EEDI," developed through a joint research initiative with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).The guidelines establish a standardized methodology for numerical analysis based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), providing an alternative to the conventional physical model testing previously used to verify vessel energy efficiency.As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) continues to tighten greenhouse gas reduction regulations…

EcoNavis Solutions has completed retrofit installation of its Eco Boss Cap to a second vessel operated by Thailand-based Kaizen Ship Management. The successful installation marks the first repeat order for the energy-saving propeller technology since market introduction last year.The latest retrofit, carried out last week on the 32,491dwt bulk carrier YC Fortitude, follows the July 2025 installation on the 31,807dwt general cargo ship SYFC Araya. After six months of operation…

Daughter Craft No. 3, commissioned by Purus, is progressing through final outfitting ahead of sea trials. Engines are now installed with Volvo Penta IPS drives, and the vessel’s electronics and interior systems are well underway in outfit.Diverse Marine has worked with Chartwell Marine to produce this daughter craft design, with inboard propulsion systems fitted with IMO Tier 3 exhaust after-treatment to reduce emissions.The Daughter Craft can serve as a nearshore CTV as well…

Damen Shipyards Group announced the completion of sea trials for the latest Island Class ferry for BC Ferries. The seventh Island Class vessel in a series of ten undertook trials during weeks 49 and 50 last year in the Black Sea.Damen is currently constructing four Island Class vessels for the Canadian ferry operator. Upon delivery, the vessels will fulfil an important function, connecting coastal communities along the British Columbian coast, a role that is thoroughly aligned with Damen’s values, says Project Manager Richard Tijpens. “We are a family company, with deeply held family values.

Ocean engineering researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a smart system to combat collisions between ships and stationary structures such as offshore platforms. By combining raw radar imaging data with advanced machine learning, the researchers have created SMART-SEA, a system that gives seafarers real-time guidance on how and when to maneuver their vessel.SMART-SEA can detect stationary objects in all weather conditions, and seafarers can choose how to receive the data — either visually…

Lloyd's Register (LR) has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to Rondal for its Aero Wing Sail, following completion of concept-level assessment activities in line with LR’s Guidance Notes on Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (2025). The AiP was awarded in a ceremony at Metstrade 2025 in Amsterdam. The Aero Wing Sail is a rigid wing-sail concept designed for application on large yachts and multihull platforms to provide wind-assisted propulsion capability and ease of integration within vessel layouts.

Finland-based Bluetech has partnered with NYSE-listed INSW to develop Bluetech’s new ‘SeaWasp’ tanker vessel design, purpose-designed for wind but still practical for INSW MR fleet operations.With the support of wind-propulsion specialist Norsepower, Bluetech modified its BT50 design to extract maximum forward thrust from two 35-metre Rotor Sails. This resulted in a total savings of up to 876kW of propulsion power on one representative INSW MR tanker route from San Francisco to…

The European Union (EU)-funded MARPOWER project (Efficient zero-emissions gas turbine POWER system for MARitime transport) is addressing the decarbonization of maritime transport. Shipping is responsible for almost 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure expected to rise in the coming years, making it essential to deploy cleaner, scalable, and economically viable solutions that meet tightening international climate regulations.To respond to this need, the MARPOWER project…

Researchers from Australia’s University of Queensland have made a microscopic “ocean” on a silicon chip to miniaturise the study of wave dynamics.The device, made at UQ’s School of Mathematics and Physics, uses a layer of superfluid helium only a few millionths of a millimetre thick on a chip smaller than a grain of rice.Dr Christopher Baker said it was the world’s smallest wave tank, with the quantum properties of superfluid helium allowing it to flow without resistance, unlike classical fluids such as water…

Sanmar has delivered two new azimuth tractor tugs to global operator Svitzer. Both will operate in Bahrain.Known as DELIÇAY XVI and DELIÇAY XVII while under construction in Türkiye, the tugs have been renamed SVITZER MANAMA and SVITZER AWAL by their new owner.Both tugs are based on the TRAktor-Z 2500SX design from Canadian naval architect Robert Allan Ltd and have an overall length of 25.3m, molded beam of 12m, least molded depth of 4.45m, and extreme draft of approximately 6.55m.Each tug is capable of achieving a minimum of 80 tons of bollard pull and has a free-running speed of 12.5 knots.

On 27 August, Damen Shipyards Group launched the latest Island Class ferry for Canada’s BC Ferries. The vessel is the second of four Island Class vessels currently under construction at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. Once operational, the ferries will provide low emission services connecting coastal communities along the coast of British Columbia.When delivered, the ferry will be the eighth Island Class vessel that Damen has built for BC Ferries. The Island Class is based…

French ferry operator Corsica Linea has achieved up to 22% fuel savings on its RoPax ferry Pascal Paoli following the installation of a retrofit package delivered by Finnish technology group Wärtsilä.The upgrade, completed in late 2024, included the installation of a twin screw controllable pitch propeller (CPP) system optimized for the ship’s operating profile, an EnergoProFin energy-saving propeller cap, and updated control systems with customized combinator curves for different…

How does ammonia behave when it leaks in an engine room? How does a cloud of escaped ammonia disperse during bunkering operations? These and many other critical safety questions that must be understood if ammonia is to become widely adopted as a marine fuel are addressed in ABS' latest research.Safety Insights for Ammonia as a Marine Fuel brings together the findings of advanced ABS research into the performance of ammonia on board.ABS performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD)…

CMA CGM Seine, a new 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship classed by Bureau Veritas (BV) and built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (HZSY), was delivered.CMA CGM Seine the first vessel in a four-ship series, with BV providing classification and BV Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS) providing advisory services. The CMA CGM SEINE plays a crucial role in CMA CGM’s low-carbon strategy. The vessel integrates a dual-fuel propulsion system supported by GTT Mark III membrane-type LNG bunker tanks…

Globally recognized maritime research institute MARIN has verified that efficiency levels modeled for ABB Dynafin™ propulsion concept will convert to real-world ship performance gains, following tests at its Concept Basin in the Netherlands.Launched in May 2023, after a decade of development, ABB Dynafin™ consists of a main electric motor that powers the rotation of a large horizontal wheel which supports vertical blades – each controlled by an individual motor to mimic the motion of a whale’s tail.

Italian waterjet systems company Castoldi has announced recent successful sea trials for two patrol vessels equipped with dual installations of the latest Castoldi Turbodrive 400 HCT waterjets.One newbuidings has been built for the Italian Coastguard, the other for fisheries patrol duties in the North Sea, Germany.The new 16-meter patrol vessel for the Italian Coastguard recently exceeded its design brief in an early sea trial, said Giacomo Castoldi, owner at Castoldi. “This new generation…

The 39-metre tug Silivri has been delivered to The BOTAS Petroleum Pipeline Corporation in Turkey.The TRAktor V3900-DF series tug was recently completed at Uzmar Shipyard to a design by Robert Allan Ltd.Silivri is only the second vessel in the world to combine Voith Schneider propulsion with dual-fuel LNG/diesel engines. This unique arrangement has only been combined once before, on her sistership Sultanhani, delivered earlier in the year to the same owner.Equipped with Wärtsilä 6L34DF engines and 32X6 Voith Schneider propellers…

Siemens Digital Industries Software announced a collaboration with Compute Maritime (CML) to revolutionize ship design and simulation and push the boundaries of generative AI in the ship design industry. The project focuses on connecting Compute Maritime’s flagship platform for vessel design and optimization, NeuralShipper, with Siemens’ Simcenter™ STAR-CCM+™ software for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and results validation.Adopting new fuel types or energy-saving devices can significantly enhance emissions reduction and fuel efficiency.

Generally, government owned vessels, particularly ones engaged in law enforcement, are seemingly last in line when it comes to fuel efficiency. Not so in France, as the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA), in late 2024 sealed the deal and commissioned the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium to design and build an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) which combines hybrid propulsion and wind sails, among other energy saving/emission reduction enhancements.According to the government agency…

EDGE and Fincantieri have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the design, development, and creation of advanced manned and unmanned underwater systems solution capability through their recently launched UAE-based shipbuilding joint venture MAESTRAL.The preliminary agreement will pave the way and boost for developing sophisticated solutions tailored to the unique underwater needs of navies worldwide.The collaboration marks EDGE’s first venture into underwater domain…

ABS has completed a safety evaluation of ammonia dispersion on board an ammonia-fueled gas turbine LNG carrier design from Hanwha Ocean.ABS, in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations that modeled different ammonia release scenarios due to accidental leakages from the engine room, the pipeline and the bunkering stations on deck.The analysis confirmed that the system complied with applicable ABS Rules regarding the toxicity and risks of accumulated ammonia gas.

Donegal, Ireland-based Seabound Engineering has been awarded a contract to build a new vessel for one of the largest mussel farming companies in the U.K.The 25-meter mussel harvester, designed by Rockabill Marine Design (RMD), is expected to be delivered by June 2026.“We are proud to collaborate with a major U.K. mussel producer and bring Rockabill Marine Design’s vision to life,” said Thomas Havlin, Managing Director of Seabound Engineering. “This is an exciting opportunity for Seabound…

When he joined Glosten more than 26 years ago as an intern, little did Morgan Fanberg know that one day he’d be at the helm leading one of the largest privately owned naval architecture firm in the United States. But this USMMA-grad was well outfitted for the task, and in this Maritime Matters: The Marinelink Podcast, Fanberg’s passion for the maritime industry and his company is clear as he candidly discusses the challenges he, his team and the maritime industry face in meeting legislatively mandated goals…