Session: 14-01-01 - New Concepts & Retrofit Solutions

Submission Number: 176135

Platform for Accelerating Innovation in Waterborne Transport 

The maritime industry is of crucial importance to global trade, with over 80% of goods being transported by sea. The ongoing electrification of the propulsion system, in conjunction with the development of alternative fuels, is creating new possibilities for the reduction of emissions and the enhancement of the efficiency of shipping solutions. These advancements necessitate a paradigm shift in the design and construction processes within the maritime industry towards a model-based analysis. This approach facilitates the evaluation and optimisation of a large number of possible ship designs, asset management strategies and system layout options along their entire life cycle at an early stage. Consequently, we present an innovation platform under development as a model-based decision support platform, utilising simulation models and analysis methods that have been specifically developed for this purpose. The innovation platform is a workbench that integrates knowledge (simulation models, data, analysis tools) from various engineering disciplines and allows their assembly to made-to-measure analysis workflows. The framework under discussion is a model-based co-simulation framework based on industry standards for simulation interfacing. It facilitates rapid analysis of numerous designs and their multi-objective optimisation, as well as the design, analysis, evaluation and optimisation of complex, interdependent systems-of-systems, including ship newbuilds, retrofits and port infrastructures for alternative fuels. Standards on model, data and interface level facilitate the integration of new tools and even allow the integration of models provided by industry partners, without the need to disclose their intellectual property. Consequently, the innovation platform accelerates maritime technological transformations, advances and promotes innovation in the three central maritime value chains. It facilitates informed consultancy to industry stakeholders regarding investment decisions in innovative technologies encompassing the domains of shipbuilding, the retrofitting of existing fleets, and the demand-oriented implementation of alternative fuels infrastructures. The early-stage platform is currently undergoing validation and demonstration with industry stakeholders, in conjunction with use cases, and will subsequently be presented at the 2026 OMAE conference.

Presenting Author: Sören Ehlers German Aerospace Center (DLR) - Institute of Maritime Energy Systems

Presenting Author Biography: Prof. D.Sc. (Tech.) Sören Ehlers studied mechanical engineering at the University of Rostock, specializing in shipbuilding and marine technology. He received his doctorate from the Helsinki University of Technology in 2009 and worked there as a post-doctoral researcher. He also co-founded an engineering office that is still in operation today with a colleague. In 2011, he became a professor at NTNU in Trondheim and focused on Arctic Sea transportation and ship design under ice loads. Since 2014, he held the position of professor of design and strength of ships and offshore structures at Hamburg University of Technology and lead the corresponding institute until his leave of absence to work for DLR from 2022 as a director of the institute of maritime energy systems.

Authors:

Sören Ehlers German Aerospace Center (DLR) - Institute of Maritime Energy Systems