Open positions
We are now looking for new talented employees; Naval Architect (Stockholm) and Project Manager ILS (Göteborg/ Stockholm). Join SSPA and you will become an important member of a global company where we help our clients become high-performance companies. We are looking for good communicators and innovative problem solvers. Are you one of them?
New issue of SSPA Highlights
The latest issue of our company magazine is published. Read about; Skin Friction database, Route optimisation based on AIS tracks, Defining normal ship behaviour and safety distance, Logistical consequences of container port conflict, Implementing S1000D for military assault and support crafts, Thorough model testing required to make cruising in tough environments sustainable, The importance of high-quality data.
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.
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.
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.
Logistical consequences of the Gothenburg container port conflict
During the last few years, companies exporting and importing goods have experienced severe difficulties with goods going through the container terminal at the port of Gothenburg. As a consequence, goods have been delayed and rerouted. As part of a research project, SSPA researchers have mapped the logistical consequences for various actors in the supply chain as well as what they have done to mitigate these effects.
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.
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.
To calculate the load factor of ships on a larger scale, new pre-study
Transport activities can become more energy and cost efficient by improving the load factor, i.e. balancing the required and available capacity of transportation. Statistics about load factor are missing today, in particular for sea transports. SSPA’s experts has investigated how the load factor can be mapped from AIS-data and analysed the energy efficiency potential of an increased load factor in sea transports.
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.
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.
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.
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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.