Using shore side electricity in ports is a relevant current issue in the transition to fossil-free shipping. Yet, the degree of electrification in Swedish ports is increasing slowly and at present few Swedish vessels make use of this solution. This research project takes its starting point in the industry needs and aims to strengthen the driving forces to realize new business concepts.

Recently, the research project wPCC (wind Powered Car Carrier) tested the concept Oceanbird with focus on the ship’s ability to manoeuvre and sail in waves. SSPA’s experts performed extensive model tests with a five-metre long ship model in the Maritime Dynamics Laboratory. Since this was the first time a wind powered ship of this kind was tested in the basin, our experts had to develop the test techniques as well.

Oceanbird was recently presented and received worldwide attention. Together, Wallenius Marine, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and SSPA contribute with considerable resources and expertise to create new knowledge and understandings of vessel design incorporating wind propulsion. The research project is called wPCC (wind Powered Car Carrier), and in September the collaboration presented Oceanbird. Wallenius Marine, owns the concept and SSPA and KTH are research partners.

The phrase “Repetitio est mater studiorum” or “Repetition is th e mother of learning” was the starting point for the SEAMAN Online™ development. Requested by clients who wanted to provide their staff or students with unlimited access to a manoeuvring training environment, SEAMAN Online is the world’s first web-based professional maritime manoeuvring training simulator.

SSPA is part of a consortium of Europe’s maritime research and technology leaders that has launched the project FASTWATER. SSPA’s extensive experience with alternative fuels, including methanol, and design and development of ships with a focus on energy efficiency, will be utilised to help ensure the success of the project. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

Today there are no inland waterway vessels operating in Sweden. Current limited traffic consists only of IMO vessels. Using the inland waterways to a larger extent would create positive benefits according to authorities, goods owners, shipping companies, ports and freight forwarders. SSPA’s experts and researchers studied this in one of the research projects and has now developed a business concept with an emission free vessel. Read the full report: Battery electric inland waterway vessel.

Recently, SSPA’s experts in seakeeping and ship performance in waves presented a new paper at an international conference, held by RINA (the Royal Institution of Naval Architects). A concise version of the presented paper and the results is available for download. SSPA used the KVLCC2 tanker as a case study and followed the IMO guideline step by step to find the minimum engine size. Our experts used a combination of CFD and model tests.

Recently, research project wPCC (wind Powered Car Carrier) entered a new phase when the new concept was tested at SSPA. The project aims to develop a sailing vessel that can transport about 7,000 cars across the Atlantic, resulting in a reduction of energy consumption by approximately 90 percent. The research project is led by Wallenius Marine, with the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and SSPA as partners.

The project converted a pilot boat to operate on renewable methanol fuel, demonstrating the improvements to environmental and operational performance that can be achieved for this fuel. 

SSPA has developed techniques for analysis of ship hull structural dynamics over several years. We decided to share this information and join forces with several partners to develop knowledge, and a new research project was formed and led by SSPA. This resulted in an accurate model testing technique, know-how to carry out this kind of model testing and insights into possibilities to develop further important techniques to support this important area of technology.

The sensitivity of Arctic areas, in combination with its remoteness and the particularly harsh conditions in cold climates, increases the importance of adequate methodology for estimation of the risk. An oil spill risk assessment forms an important link in the chain of prevention, detection, control and mitigation of spills. SSPA has developed a method to provide answers to the questions; where, how often, what type of oil and the size of t he oil spills that may be expected.

In the research project wPCC (wind Powered Car Carrier) 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.

Decarbonisation of shipping is one of the greatest maritime challenge and the demand for low carbon solutions is growing. In the research project Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) we will investigate how wind solutions can be more commercially attractive for the future in the North Sea region. The WASP project can help to accelerate the transition and to highlight the wind-assisting propulsion potential.

SSPA’s management system ensures high technical quality and high efficiency in the execution of projects. It is used on a daily basis by all employees at SSPA and is continuously improved through a web based reporting and follow up system. The management system at SSPA is certified in compliance with SS-EN ISO 9001. Our laboratory are accredited according to SS-EN ISO/IEC 17025.

Advanced propulsion and fuels, ship efficiency technologies, and green ports & infrastructure are key topics that will be covered at the LEC Sustainable Shipping Technologies Forum 2021 in April. This forum aims to foster the exchange of ideas, harness synergies, promote co-operations and network actors in the shipping sector for an emission-free future. SSPA will present the HyMethShip Zero Emission Energy Concept, an innovative system being developed in a European collaborative research project.