Why some propellers have unexpectedly low value of relative rotative efficiency, new paper
The relative rotative efficiency reflects the torque difference for a propeller working in the open water and in the behind conditions. It is obtained during the scaling of model test results with the standard ITTC-78 method. A research article, published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JSME), presents our new findings and a thorough explanation about the cause of low relative rotative efficiency value for the low blade area propellers.
New framework agreement with Ports of Stockholm
Recently, we signed a framework agreement with Ports of Stockholm regarding ship simulations, maritime risk inventories and traffic-, incident- and accident investigations. SSPA had previously a similar framework agreement and has supported investigations and ship simulations regarding the establishment of the new Stockholm Norvik Port, development of Stockholm as a cruise destination and various minor jobs in Kapellskär.
Research project Value2Sea
Since modal shift can help reduce congestion and emissions in cities, the Value2Sea project develops and shares knowledge regarding logistics solutions to support modal shift, such as dry port operations and use of waterways. The use of new technologies can reduce barriers for shifting goods from road to sea, by increasing efficiency of maritime transport chains.
Apply for the trainee programme?
The Swedish maritime industry joins forces to put together the best trainee programme for newly graduated master’s students. The trainee programme involves different actors in the Swedish maritime industry; shipowners, shipyards and manufacturers, classification societies, authorities, designers and more. The application for 2020/2021 opens 15 December 2019 and close 31 January 2020.
Using a web-based simulation software in education, new paper
Manoeuvring ships in confined waters is a complex issue and requires extensive education, training and practical experience. Chalmers and SSPA has completed a new paper about the use of a web-based simulation software in education. SEAMAN Online is a novel ship manoeuvring training tool, allowing the students to practice from their own personal computers. It supports the students in their training and understanding of the complexity of ship behaviour in various manoeuvring conditions.
The role of transport-buying companies for increased shipping, new report
Increasing the share of goods transported by sea has received increasing political interest in Sweden in order to achieve sustainable transports. The benefits of moving goods from land to sea transport are for example less congestion, reduced environmental impact, lower cost for companies sending and receiving goods and improved road safety. Despite this, the share of sea transport is not increasing.
Latest research on maritime analyses, new seminar
On December 17, SSPA will host a seminar, with the collaboration of Lighthouse. To be able to reduce shipping accidents, environmental footprint, and maritime infrastructure costs, researchers need to continue to develop and test new methods and tools. Improved maritime analyses will allow experts to make predictions about the effects of certain changes made to routes, infrastructures or traffic patterns, and provide better decision support.
WASP project launched
The Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) project has recently been officially approved and launched. This project brings together universities, wind-assist technology providers with ship owners to research, trial and validate the operational performance of a selection of wind propulsion solutions. SSPA is one of the expert partners that will test wind propulsion systems on different types of vessels, routes and sea conditions. WASP is funded by the Interreg North Sea Europe programme.
Testing proof of concept of SEAMAN Online, new paper
Together with Chalmers University of Technology, SSPA has completed a study testing proof of concept of SEAMAN Online™ with students. SEAMAN Online is a novel web-based ship manoeuvring training tool allowing students and professional mariners to practice manoeuvres in ports and confined waters from their personal computers.
Seminar on inland and coastal shipping
How can inland and coastal shipping be used to a greater extent? Recently about 100 participants from industry, academia and the public sector attended a seminar in Gothenburg, focused on how the use of inland and coastal shipping could be increased. The seminar featured three themes: Regions and ports perspective, Logistics solutions and Waterways in urban areas. The speakers included both Swedish and international perspectives.
New electric ferry, Elvy
SSPA has supported Västtrafik, the public transport company in Gothenburg, during the project to build a new ferry with battery-hybrid propulsion. The traffic across the river in central Gothenburg has been a success and the passengers can continue to increase with the new ferry, Elvy. We are looking forward to travel across the river, more silent and with less emissions.
Wind powered car carrier
In the research project Wind Powered Car Carrier (wPCC) a wind-powered vessel will be developed, from concept to a technical and financially viable design ready to be built within 3-5 years. This project aims to pave the way for a paradigm shift in maritime transport by demonstrating that this new transport concept is possible even in the near future. We do not necessarily need to wait until 2050 to reach IMO's goal of 50% reduction of greenhouse gases.
Route optimisation based on AIS tracks in the Baltic Sea
We present the results of taking stored AIS tracks and optimising their route geometry as well as their speed to minimise fuel consumption, i.e. to minimise the shallow water resistance experienced by each ship. The results show key changes in traffic patterns, specifically fairway shortcuts that could be taken if there are no safety concerns.
Skin Friction database for the maritime sector
We have completed a research project with the aim to gain increased knowledge of the effect a rough surface has on skin friction. This project has also resulted in an interactive tool that can be used to estimate fuel consumption without requiring background knowledge in hydrodynamics. This tool will hopefully contribute to better surface treatment of vessels, that in the end can reduce costs and emission of greenhouse gases.
Implementing S1000D for Swedish military assault and support crafts
How do you continuously manage technical publications for a large fleet of military assault and support crafts? You do this by implementing S1000D, the International Specification for Technical Publications. SSPA supports the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in several projects with information analysis, data conversion, restructuring, content revisions, and quality assurance.
Defining normal ship behaviour and safety distance to other ships in open waters
To assess how ship domains vary under different geographical settings and in different types of meetings, SSPA performed a case study. Our researchers studied over 600,000 ship encounters at 36 locations around the Swedish coast. The conclusion is that the ship domain has the shape of an ellipse with half axes radii of 0.9 and 0.45 nautical miles in open waters. In contrast to previous research, it has also been discovered that the ship domain is unrelated to the length of the ship.
Thorough model testing required to make cruising in tough environments sustainable
A state-of-the art-vessel is Ulstein’s new exploration cruise vessel design. SSPA was chosen as the hydrodynamic testing partner, which included traditional calm-water towing tank tests and tests in our seakeeping basin. Extensive CFD simulations were performed. An important part of testing was to correlate these calculations with the model tests. Together, we developed a testing programme to assess the behaviour of the vessel in the most typical operating conditions.
Manoeuvring and seakeeping simulations, and the importance of high-quality data
Simulations are an efficient tool for gaining valuable insights for decision-making. To perform high-quality ship simulations, high-quality input data is required. Without good input data, the output from the simulations will not be a reliable source of support for decision-making. Thanks to SSPA’s test facilities, and the development and use of CFD, we have access to extremely good data which supports the simulation models in the SEAMAN Simulation toolbox.
CFD/EFD Combined methods
SSPA leads the ITTC Specialist Committee on Combined CFD/EFD Methods. The purpose of the committee is to initiate and support the process of introducing combined CFD/EFD methods in ITTC’s procedures. By using the best combination, rather than viewing them as competing methods, we can deliver even better predictions. To facilitate the introduction in our community, the Committee has identified several research areas which need to be addressed.
Hull air lubrication: future and challenges
The goal of reducing fuel consumption, enforced by international regulations and high fuel costs, is motivating ship designers to investigate revolutionary ideas or re-visit old techniques and apply them using new technologies. Hull line optimisation and propulsion system improvements are common practice for achieving this goal, but what if we can eliminate resistance (at least partially) at its source.
Research project HyMethShip
The aim of the research project HyMethShip is to drastically reduce emissions and improve the energy efficiency of waterborne transport at the same time. The project will develop and test a system for marine propulsion that is capable of reducing CO2 emissions by more than 97%, using renewable methanol as the energy carrier and implementing pre-combustion carbon capture. The system will be demonstrated onshore at full scale.
Research project IWTS 2.0
Inland waterway transport offers relatively slow, cheap, climate friendly hinterland transport alternatives for commodities transported in large quantities or bulk. Many waterways in Europe remain widely un-/underused in the past decades. By piloting eight small waterway modal shifts, the project will showcase proven concepts that can be adopted by the market.
Our test facilities
Physical model testing will continue to be an important tool in the process of developing ships and assessing their performance. SSPA has the capability to perform most kinds of model testing in its facilities: the towing tank, the large cavitation tunnel, the seakeeping and manoeuvring basin and combine with computer tests.
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