Marine Technology

Our activities span the entire lifecycle of marine systems—from conceptual design and construction to operation, monitoring, and lifecycle analysis. We combine hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, and energy systems analysis to develop efficient, robust, and sustainable solutions for ships, marine vehicles, and offshore structures.

We address concrete and current challenges, such as improving propeller performance and durability, reducing hull resistance and energy consumption, analysing innovative propulsion concepts such as sails and hydrofoils, and ensuring that marine structures can withstand complex loading conditions from waves, wind, currents, and ice. 

At the same time, we are strongly engaged in the global energy transition and to reduce the negative environmental impact on the ocean. We contribute to the development of renewable ocean energy, analyse fossil-free fuels and energy carriers, and develop methods for route optimisation, electrification, and hybridisation of shipping. Through advanced modelling and system studies, we generate knowledge and tools that make a real difference in the transition towards a climate-neutral maritime transport system.

Engineering solutions for a sustainable blue society

The division conducts both fundamental and applied research to enable the development and improvement of marine technology, including ships, underwater systems, and renewable energy solutions. We support industry and society worldwide with knowledge, understanding, and solutions that minimise emissions from shipping, extend service life, reduce maintenance needs for equipment operating in harsh marine environments, and ensure safe operations. Our work primarily involves the development and application of numerical modelling, such as CFD, FEA, DEM, FSI, optimisation, and machine learning, but we also conduct experiments and full-scale monitoring to support and validate our results.

Education and doctoral studies

In addition to research, our division is actively engaged in education at the master’s and doctoral levels, and we are responsible for the profile Marine Technology (Naval Architecture) in Chalmers’ master’s programme Mobility Engineering. We supervise PhD students and offer doctoral-level courses in the research schools Shipping and Marine Technology, Solids and Structures, and Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics. All courses are available as electives for master’s students and doctoral candidates from other divisions or universities.

Research profile and lifecycle perspective

The Division of Marine Technology conducts research-intensive and interdisciplinary activities aimed at enabling the next generation of sustainable marine systems and maritime operations from both a scientific and technological perspective. Our research spans the entire lifecycle—from conceptual design and advanced engineering to operational optimisation, condition-based maintenance, and lifecycle analysis of ships, marine vehicles, offshore structures, and their integrated technical systems and components.

Methods and core research areas

Our work is based on a combination of theoretical modelling, high-fidelity numerical simulations (CFD, FEA, and DEM), experimental studies, and full-scale measurements. Core research areas include hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, fluid–structure interaction, vibration and noise analysis, and reliability and structural design under complex, stochastic loading conditions. For example, we develop predictive models for propeller cavitation, erosion, and fatigue processes to increase durability, reduce underwater noise, and improve energy efficiency. Innovative hull structures are evaluated using stochastic risk analyses as well as holistic modeling of alternative energy systems linked to weather-based route planning.

Within marine structures, we analyze and design structures for long-term exposure to combined loads from waves, wind, currents, and ice, with a particular focus on ultimate strength (structural capacity), fatigue, fracture mechanics, and probabilistic safety assessment. This includes the development of numerical methods for coupled hydrodynamic and structural response, as well as digital twins for monitoring and lifetime prediction.

Energy transition and future marine systems

The division’s research is strongly linked to the global energy and climate transition. We contribute to the development of renewable ocean energy, including floating offshore wind and wave energy, and analyse system integration and structural reliability in these environments. In parallel, we develop scientifically grounded decision-support tools for the selection and implementation of fossil-free fuels, as well as numerical and systems engineering frameworks for the electrification and hybridization of shipping. Within underwater technology, we study propulsion and maneuvering characteristics of various vehicle types, as well as their capabilities for autonomous navigation.

By integrating hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, energy systems analysis, and sustainability assessment, we generate scientific foundations and engineering solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of the marine sector and accelerate the transition towards climate-neutral and resource-efficient maritime transport systems.