Research, Development and Innovation
More than 75 years of experience and research place SSPA at the forefront of maritime research, development and innovation (RDI). SSPA lead and participate in projects and our staff combine consulting work with research to suit the maritime industry’s need for RDI. For our full-time researchers, the focus is on research projects and method development, including Ph.D. studies in some cases.
SSPA collaborates with universities, research organisations and industry and has a well-established scientific network. We initiate and lead EC-funded and national research projects. Special attention is given to international research cooperation such as the EU Horizon 2020 programme.
SSPA has expertise in many maritime areas. Our RDI activities include the following:
- Development of new methods and techniques
- Innovation implementation
- Knowledge development
- Scientific networking
- Support of business development
Contacts
Ph.D. (Tech. Management and Economics), M.Sc. (Mech. Eng.), M.Sc. (Business Admin.)
Laura’s passion for wind powered vessels
Alongside her whole professional career Laura Marimon Giovannetti, now a senior researcher at SSPA, has also been an elite athlete in sailing, representing Italy and then the British Sailing Team at World and European championships. Now she’s (virtually) heading for the Olympics!
Determining the EEDI “minimum propulsion power”, new paper
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.
Innovations for wind ship propulsion, online conference
The latest scientific and technological research in the field of sailing will be presented on the international conference INNOV’SAIL 2020 in June. Chalmers University of Technology hosts the conference and SSPA is one of the co-organizers. Sailing shall not only be associated with racing and recreation. Sailing in commercial shipping is on its way back. SSPA is conducting extensive research and are contributing with the latest findings and will present several papers.
Design criteria for the sea properties of work boats
This research project will focus on smaller displacement or semi-displacement work boats (<75m). The goal is to standardise a set of criteria that can be applied during the design phase, before the building and operations of work boats. Today, there is a lack of standardised criteria and well-established calculation methodology. It is therefore difficult to evaluate whether a hull has sufficiently good sea properties compared to others of its kind. It is also a challenge because work boats have different uses and sizes.
First model tests, wPCC
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 use and usefulness of AIS data
AIS data offers the possibility to understand historical and typical ship behaviour, as well as generate real-time decision-support solutions for mariners and shore-based operators. SSPA has engaged in various research and development projects using AIS data as their basis, and even offers important and novel commercial tools that function via algorithmic analyses of historical and real-time AIS data.
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.
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.
SSPA - member of Waterborne Technology Platform
Waterborne has been set up as an industry-oriented technology platform to establish a continuous dialogue between all waterborne stakeholders and setting the agenda for maritime research in Europe. The waterborne sector has developed an ambitious vision for the sectors transport (ships and shipping), blue growth, and ports and infrastructure.
SSPA - full member of the International Windship Association
The International Windship Association (IWSA) facilitates and promotes wind propulsion for commercial shipping worldwide and brings together all parties in the development of a wind-ship sector to shape industry and government attitudes and policies. SSPA is a full member and active in the marine wind propulsion sector. Our researchers and experts contribute with expertise in several research projects.
SSPA - member of the International Towing Tank Conference
ITTC is a voluntary association of worldwide organizations responsible for the prediction of hydrodynamic performance of ships and marine installations. The association is also an observer at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
SSPA - member of the ECMAR Association
The ECMAR Association is focused on the development of a common strategy for European Research in the maritime industry, and to support the adoption of the relevant research priorities within the scope of the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Technology Development.