Marine, Offshore and Subsea Technology
The Marine, Offshore and Subsea Technology (MOST) group is an international leader in research.
We are solving grand global challenges in marine technology. Our research supports sustaining a zero-emission international shipping industry. We explore extracting energy from marine sources, and ensure that this energy is environmentally friendly. We develop innovative smart, digital and autonomous maritime systems.
Coming from a wide range of engineering and scientific backgrounds, our group has a broad base of expertise. The group includes naval architects, marine engineers, mathematicians, electrical engineers and physicists.
We work closely with industry, government and non-government organisations. We belong to a variety of expert committees and learned societies. These networks maximise the impact and real-world applicability of our research.
We have a suite of world-leading experimental facilities which includes our cavitation tunnel, propulsion lab and hydrodynamics facilities.
Our research
The research we carry out in our group is divided into three main strands:
Marine Hydrodynamics & Structures
We have unparalleled expertise in studying vessels performance at sea, using theoretical, experimental and numerical approaches in our research. We study how wind, waves and currents interact with ships and marine structures. Our research also explores the progressive collapse of intact and damaged marine structures.
We develop novel and innovative hydrodynamic devices for a range of uses. Our strong links to the University's propulsion laboratory in Blyth give us great opportunities to test our theories and prototypes.
Our research in this area covers a wide range of topics, including:
- condition monitoring marine and offshore structures
- structure development for marine and offshore energy converters
- data processing for interpreting various types of signals
- epoxy-based filler coating failures
- mega-yacht filler cracking
- non-linear structural analysis
- accidental loads on ships and offshore structures
- impact engineering for marine structures
- sloshing
- non-linear wave-body interaction
- ship design, optimisation and software modelling
- multiphase flow and heat transfer in subsea pipeline
- hydraulic modelling
- simulation of real-world operating conditions
- in-service seakeeping prediction
- bioinspired underwater robots
- ultimate strength
- hydroelasticity
- yacht design
- navigation
Marine Resources & Renewable Energy
Our work centres on the cutting-edge technology development in harvesting offshore renewables energy and marine resources. Both of these initiatives relate strongly to grand global challenges. This research aims to overcome challenges including climate change, energy security, offshore operations safety, and deepwater investigation.
These advanced projects will increase our appeal to both students and funders. We investigate a wide range of topics, including:
- offshore hydrodynamics
- offshore wind turbines
- wave energy converters
- mooring systems
- offshore structural analysis
Sustainable Shipping & Marine Engineering
We are contributing to a sustainable marine energy infrastructure by reducing pollution and energy demand from shipping. We address social, economic, technical and environmental issues related to marine transport. Our work increases the financial competitiveness of shipping.
We are tackling the challenge of transition to a low carbon, low environmental impact future.
Some key areas of our research include:
- Airborne pollution from shipping - Our research reduces carbon dioxide production through energy management and alternative fuels, considering mitigating technologies where needed. We simulate alternative operational scenarios to reduce harmful airborne pollution. Our research informs incentive schemes, driving policy development to ensure environmentally conscientious shipping.
- Maritime business, logistics and economics - We focus on the interface between shipping and the wider systems within which shipping operates. Areas of expertise include:
- port economics
- ports and intermodality
- competitiveness and regulation of shipbuilding and ship repair
- indices and connectivity in global logistics
- smart shipping and sustainability
- Ballast water and invasive species - Since September 2017 and the introduction of the Ballast Water Convention, ships must manage their ballast water. The convention states all aquatic organisms and pathogens must be removed or rendered harmless. Our areas of interest include:
- modelling and assessment of treatment systems
- effective sampling regimes
- representative sampling and compliance with the Convention and US Coast Guard requirements
- Sustainable development of small craft - Our marine technology research covers a variety of small craft, including fishing vessels and lifeboats. We use numerical modelling linked with model and full-scale tests. We explore motion responses and calculate the largest structural loads experienced by lifeboats. Our research informs the design and safe operation of all-weather lifeboats, and in developing countries supports the implementation of sustainable development strategies.
Sustainable and resilient development
We are working to help reduce airborne pollution from shipping operations. Our research into energy management and alternative fuels helps reduce carbon dioxide production.
Our sustainable design work also informs the development of small, low technology fishing vessels. In developing countries, this work is vital for implementing sustainable development strategies.
Net zero
We are working towards the goal of a zero-emission international shipping industry. A large part of our research work involves the development of offshore renewable energy. We investigate energy generation methods including offshore wind turbines and wave energy conversion.
Rigid-flexible coupled multi-body dynamic research
We are improving dynamic responses prediction accuracy of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT). The project will benefit the UK’s ocean renewable energy development.
We are investigating rigid-flexible coupled multi-body dynamic mechanisms. We are also researching FOWT’s dynamic characteristics. We are developing an aero-hydro-elastic-mooring-servo coupled numerical tool for FOWT engineering design.
Sustainable tuna fisheries through advanced earth observation tech
The fishing industry must remain profitable by increasing its efficiency in a changing environment. In most cases, catches have reached their limit.
Copernicus is the EU's Earth Observation (EO) Programme. It offers information services based on satellite EO and in situ environmental data. The SUSTUNTECH project will use Big Data approaches in the daily operations of tuna fishing vessels. We will generate added value to the environmental data services provided by Copernicus.
Data feedback will increase data supply and services. It will help the industry to meet the need for high-quality sources of food. These food sources must be resilient, and economically and environmentally sustainable.
SUSTUNTECH offers an approach to high value products using Copernicus data and services. A fisheries fleet can expect fuel and cost savings of between 25% and 40% per fisheries fleet. We will produce commercialised tools at TR6-7 level using the combined capabilities of the members of the consortium. The project will be commercialised through the industrial partners networks of clients with shared royalties’ schemes and individual intellectual property rights.
Autonomous vehicles for intelligent intervention
Faults or damage to infrastructure in harsh or remote environments can pose a threat to humans or the environment. Such locations might include deep oceans, outer space and sites which have been subject to natural disasters. In these locations, human intervention may not be technically or economically feasible. In the case of deep oceans, the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) may be impractical. The umbilical cables restrict their movement. The cost of the necessary support vessel and skilled human operators is also prohibitive.
We are developing an autonomous robotic system able to identify problems. This system will then decide upon and carry out intelligent physical interventions as needed.
Impact
Cutting edge research in our group has many academic, societal, industrial and political impacts. Our academics are members of many internationally recognised marine communities, including:
- International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC)
- International Ship and Offshore Structures Congress (ISSC)
- Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA)
- Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST)
- Society of Underwater Technology (SUT)
An example of our current impact work is on Fuel, Performance and Energy Management for Global Shipping.
Our advances in non-physical measurements and data analytics for fuel, performance and energy management systems have led to a collaboration with Royston Diesel Power. Together we have developed a state of the art modularised Fuel, Performance and Energy Management product: enginei.
This innovation has led to a reduction in fuel consumption for vessels. Those vessels using enginei have seen a reduction of between 3 and 10% without affecting vessels operations. Embedding an innovative design capability within Royston Diesel Power has enabled a step change in their business. They have been able to move the company capabilities’ from repair and maintenance to ‘intelligence selling’.
