Two-way knowledge flow
Knowledge-based organisations like SSPA constantly have to adapt to a changing world. At SSPA, all specialist engineers can be involved in research and development (R&D) in addition to the commercial work. This facilitates a two-way knowledge flow between research and business. The decentralised R&D-organisation does, however, require very clear management with defined goals, roadmaps and prioritisation. Our strategic research plans help us to set the direction and to break down the challenges into manageable goals.
From ocean plastics to dinghies
It is a global issue with plastics as marine pollution. Several initiatives have started around the world to influence people’s behaviour. In Sweden there is an awareness campaign called “Optimist för havet” (Optimist for the sea). Three Swedish organisations is behind the project and they all share the love for the sea. SSPA supports with building five prototype boats (optimist dinghies) from recycled plastic waste as a national flagship activity to raise awareness.
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. SSPA supports the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in several projects with information analysis, data conversion, restructuring, content revisions, and quality assurance.
STM Validation, Final conference
Recently, the STM Validation Final conference was held at the headquarter of IMO in London. We discussed how Sea Traffic Management affects safety, efficiency and the environment as well as how the industry is looking at digitization. SSPA’s experts was represented and took part in the demonstrations of the solutions in use and the early results of Route optimisation and Normal behaviour of ships.
New assignment - to analyse fossil free state-owned vessels
Sweden has decided to analyse the conditions for a switch to fossil free state-owned vessels. SSPA has under a frame work contract been awarded with the task to support the Swedish Transport Administration in this analyse and the development of a strategy on how governmental owned ships and boats can operate with lower or no emissions of fossil carbon dioxide.
Strategies for coping with slow-steaming, new paper
The trend of reduced sailing speed, or slow-steaming, presents shippers with new, complex challenges. SSPA has together with Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg studied how the Swedish industry has met and managed these challenges. The study has recently been published in Journal of Shipping and Trade.
Predicting underwater-radiated noise, new paper
SSPA has been involved in numerous acoustic-related projects and continually developing various predictive tools, making them available to assist customers in solving problems related to underwater-radiated noise (URN). SSPAs experts are contributing with more research in this area. In August, a new paper will be published in the well-known journal Ocean Engineering.
Assessing costs, a 25-year perspective
Renewing Sweden’s icebreaker fleet is a major infrastructure initiative. The existing icebreakers have been in operation for almost 50 years and the new icebreakers are expected to have a similar lifetime. Operational costs for such a long lifetime have a huge impact on the vessels’ total life cycle costs. Based on a number of investigations of key features, SSPA has conducted life cycle cost assessment of a new Swedish icebreaker.
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.
Maritime spatial planning and ship routeing systems
The high and rapidly increasing demand for maritime space for different purposes, as well as the multiple pressures on coastal resources, requires an integrated planning and management approach. Rerouteing of shipping lanes and the introduction of new routing systems may be needed to ensure high maritime safety and sustainable co-existence of various marine activities. SSPA’s toolbox and experience assist planning and maritime authorities to prepare sustainable and efficient plans.
The Nobel Prize and its implication for mariners’ health and performance
In 2017, the Nobel Prize in physiology/ medicine was awarded to the discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm, mostly affected by light, controls our alertness and sleepiness during the day. We can all benefit from knowing how to use light to maximise our performance, but it is even more important for mariners who are working and living 24 hours a day in a harsh environment.
Strategic research plan for hydrodynamics
Knowledge-based organisations like SSPA constantly have to adapt to a changing world. Our strategic research plans help us to set the direction and to break down the challenges into manageable goals. Structured research and development is a prerequisite for continuing to support our clients and partners with leading edge, innovative and sustainable maritime solutions.
fw – the unknown factor
Legislation on the EEDI requires the determination of a “weather factor” – fw – reflecting the percentage of its calm-water speed that a ship can maintain in Beaufort 6 and corresponding waves. The higher the fw value, the smaller the speed loss and the better the ship will perform in a seaway. But how do we determine this unknown fw factor, and how do we strike a balance between accuracy and costs? As a member of ITTC, SSPA is actively involved in developing guidelines.
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 MARIA
This project aims to identify, develop, test and make available improved maritime data analysis methods and tools, to ultimately help reduce shipping accidents, the environmental footprint, and maritime infrastructure costs (construction and maintenance), especially for the region of Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak (ÖKS). The intent is to increase the accessibility/availability of shipping compared to road-based transport of goods, for reduced road congestion and noise.
Research project FAMOS
The FAMOS (Finalising Surveys for the Baltic Motorways of the Sea) project focuses on knowledge exchange and developing solutions across borders for the safety, efficiency and accuracy of future navigation in the Baltic Sea. Fifteen organisations from seven countries around the Baltic Sea is working together.
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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.