At the OMAE conference held in Singapore in June, Professor Mihkel Kõrgesaar represented Kuressaare College and the Marine Technology Competence Centre. OMAE is an international scientific conference that brings together experts in marine and offshore engineering to share innovative solutions and research findings.

Professor Kõrgesaar presented a study commissioned by the Estonian State Fleet, aiming to assess the ice resistance of a planned ferry connecting the mainland with major islands. Using numerical simulations, Mihkel evaluated the vessel’s durability under various ice conditions, providing a realistic approach to modelling the interaction between ice and structure, as well as ice-breaking, through an innovative computational method.

The study’s results also provided a foundation for the thesis of a master's student at the college, who is continuing the research by incorporating an analysis of the vessel's movement dynamics. The development of this methodology is further supported by the Estonian Research Council-funded project PSG754, Coupled Simulation Model for Ship Crashworthiness Assessment.   

At the meeting of the ISSC Committee on Accidental Limit States held in the Netherlands in September, Mihkel led a working group focused on analysing limit states affecting ship structures. The goal of the meeting was to finalise the summary report, consolidating developments and research findings from the past three years.

"An interesting aspect was the interest shown by one of the working group members, a representative of the U.S. Navy, in the work of our doctoral student, Tarmo Sahk. Tarmo is developing a method in Abaqus simulation software to incorporate the hydrodynamic effects of fluid on structural behaviour without the need for direct fluid modelling," Mihkel summarized the meeting. This work is also related to the aforementioned project funded by the Estonian Research Council.

Professor Kristjan Tabri participated in the work of the ISSC Committee on Accidental Limit States in the Netherlands as the committee chair. The committee focuses on developing methods necessary for assessing accidental situations involving ships and offshore structures, such as collisions and groundings. The committee’s work contributes to creating safer ships and structures that can better withstand unexpected and hazardous situations at sea. In addition, he attended the ISSC executive committee meeting.

Presentations and participation in working groups at international events enable knowledge exchange and the development of practical solutions that support advancements in both shipping and marine technology. This activity helps maintain Estonian research within the international sphere, allowing local expertise to be shared widely – and, in return, bringing valuable knowledge back to Estonia.