Among the challenges of climate change, participation in research on green maritime technology is important, offering potential breakthroughs in reducing the environmental impact of maritime operations and supporting the transition to more sustainable transport solutions.

Therefore, the aim of the research direction related to green marine technology of the Estonian Maritime Academy is to provide the science-based implementation of the principles and strategies declared by the regulatory and political bodies in the field (IMO, HELCOM, EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy and international sustainable development agreements), introducing smart, safe and environmentally sustainable solutions, and to increase performance of marine vehicles.

The first of the four research areas concerns safety and focuses on the development of methods to reduce the impact of high-speed craft movements on the ship's crew and ship systems. Secondly, options for reducing emissions will be explored, focusing on fuel-efficient hull forms, optimization and emission-free propulsion. The third focus is the smarter design of ships, and the fourth is the hydrodynamics of watercraft, in which the focus is on increasing hydrodynamic efficiency and working on solutions to increase resistance and thrust.

 

Green maritime technology innovation is driven by an international team

Research on green maritime technology is carried out by a team of three: PhD students Rasul Niazmand Bilandi and Fatemeh Roshan and Professor Jakub Jerzy Montewka.

Rasul and Fatemeh (both at the academy from 2021) will introduce the field of research in more detail. They are from Iran and came to Estonia thanks to the opportunities offered by the academy for scientific research in maritimee technology. Both are currently in Naples, Italy as part of the Erasmus+ program, where they can test their research theories in practice with the help of local university resources.

Unlike the Estonian education system, every young person in Iran is directed to study at the local university in the specialty that best corresponds to the results of the knowledge test and preferences. Based on this system, Rasul and Fatemeh entered the maritime field, where they are on the verge of completing their Ph.D.

 

New solutions for fuel-efficient high-speed ships and a revolution in maritime

Rasul explains that due to the IMO's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there has been a strong demand for fuel-efficient ships. "Ships in the Baltic Sea region inevitably threaten our ecosystem due to both sea and air pollution. That's why I decided to focus my doctoral thesis on fuel-efficient, fast small boats, considering driving and manoeuvring movements at sea," Rasul describes.

He clarifies that there are more than 3.5 million high-speed crafts in the Baltic Sea, mainly near the coast. "Thus, the development of a fuel-efficient high-speed craft is a necessary challenge," he admits. "Hulls with redans offer opportunities to reduce fuel consumption, but without specific design guidelines, the optimal shape and placement of redans and the effect on seaworthiness and manoeuvrability remain unclear," Rasul describes and adds that, therefore, the aim of his thesis is to study the hydrodynamics of different stepped hulls to find out the most fuel-efficient design. "As part of the work, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and mathematical models will be developed, as a result of which the design instructions for the glider with redans will be completed."

Increasing the safety and efficiency of the high-speed ship's crew

In turn, Fatemeh's research area focuses on improving the safety of small high-speed vessels, which is also strongly related to green marine technology. "In my research, I first assess the safety of the crew on board the high-speed craft and compare it to safety standards, then assess the risk to people's health and comfort," he explains.

Since the main causes of human health risks are vibrations and shocks from hull motion in stormy water, Fatemeh focuses on two approaches to improving human safety aboard: reducing hull motion (using motion-reducing devices) and mitigating shock or vibration (using shock-absorbing seats).

“In researching motion reduction devices, I analyse their effectiveness in reducing hull motion. These devices can also significantly reduce fuel consumption by reducing the resistance of the body and, consequently, the power of the engine to reach the desired speed,” Fatemeh explains the impact of the research line on green technology. "Therefore, the application of motion-reducing devices can improve an existing high-speed craft from two perspectives: crew safety and fuel efficiency."

In the second part of his research, mathematical models also predict the effectiveness of different shock absorbing seats in reducing vibrations and improving people's safety.

Estonia - a maritime knowledge centre with a strategic location

Both researchers consider that the maritime information available in Estonia and the country's strategic location are an important strength for the development and innovation of maritime technology. This was also the reason why Rasul and Fatemeh chose the Estonian Maritime Academy to do their research - even though they had no prior knowledge and contacts in Estonia.

While both researchers are proud of their opportunities in academy, they have also faced challenges that have now been addressed. "I have to do experimental tests to develop a mathematical model, which has turned out to be quite a challenge due to the high costs. As a result, I came for a five-month Erasmus internship at the Industrial Engineering Department of the University of Naples, which offers better opportunities for practical testing compared to, for example, Kuressaare College and the test pool there," Rasul describes. Fatemeh also joins with the same exchange program at the same university - for the same reasons.

Nevertheless, both researchers are interested in continuing their work and activities in Estonia after completing their doctoral studies, if possible.

Innovation in sustainable practices in the maritime industry driven by ambitious goals

Both researchers acknowledge that green maritime technology is an urgent topic in maritime industry due to environmental pressures and the growing need for sustainable practices.

"The IMO's strategy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% compared to 2008 levels by 2050. Therefore, research groups around the world are increasingly focusing on the integration of man-made power to optimize fuel consumption and overall efficiency," admits Rasul. According to Fatemeh, different research groups are actively collaborating, sharing results and experiences to improve the results obtained, as shown by recent meetings and articles that help advance the field.

It gives hope that the industry's ambitious goals for a sustainable approach to the marine industry can be achieved through innovation led by researchers working globally to work together to find the best solutions.

Rasul's study

Figure 1 shows the prediction of step sliding body motions in normal waves using both mathematical modeling and CFD methods.

Figure 2 illustrates the prediction of step glider hull motion in irregular waves using the CFD method. Both figures are from (and funded by) Rasul's thesis.