A group including engineering company Houlder, Siem Shipping UK and the University of Southampton has begun work on a project aimed at improving predictions of wave resistance in early-stage ship design to deliver more efficient vessels.
The Conceptual, Operational, Modelling Linked (COMLink) Tool project is looking to address a key challenge in ship design – accurately predicting the additional power required for vessels to operate in waves.
Traditional methods focus primarily on calm water conditions, often leading to inefficiencies in real-world operations. By combining empirical data with high-fidelity simulations, the project says it wants to support the development of vessels optimised for their working conditions from the outset.
As project lead, Houlder will coordinate the development of the tool, ensuring the integration of all components into a unified system. Siem Shipping UK will provide operational data from its fleet of car carriers, while the University of Southampton will support the development of surrogate models through machine learning and high-fidelity simulations.
Initial testing will focus on car carrier hull forms, with the potential for broader application across multiple ship types.
The project is funded by the Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund (SSAF), part of the UK SHORE programme administered by the UK Department for Transport and backed by £206 million in government R&D funding. SSAF provides match-funding to accelerate the market readiness of pre-commercial technologies, allocating £8 million to support 31 projects across the UK in its latest round.
