A virtual and physical Experimental Towing centre for the design of energy efficient sea-faring vessels (VENTuRE)

Abstract

Under the IMO’s and the EC’s maritime vision, regulatory bodies, industries, and researchers propose preventative measures to build a sustainable and cleaner environment emphasising on ‘energy efficiency’ to lower CO2 emissions. Malta's strategic location, infrastructure, & experience results in a globally respected Maltese flag registry (sixth globally, first ranking flag on a European level). The Maltese maritime industry is seeing rapid development with a view to adhering to all international standards and regulations whilst at the same time adopt the latest novel and state-of-the-art engineering techniques to adequately support this vision. To address the shortage of educational infrastructure, generate sufficient human skills and research and innovation activities towards energy efficiency, the VENTuRE twinning action between the Universities of Malta (UM-MT), Strathclyde (USTRATH-UK), Genoa (UNIGE-IT), and Naval Architectural Services (NAS-MT) Ltd, will work towards the creation of a virtual and experimental towing centre. The action is to maximise the use of facilities, secure the transfer of essential knowledge, to increase HR capacity & expertise in Malta in the area of 'energy efficient’ ship design.

VENTuRE brings together a consortium of experts to apply a systemic & multidisciplinary approach for integrating state-of-the-art virtual testing and advanced techniques for towing tank experiments in the context of Energy Efficient Ship Design.

The expected results & significant impacts are:

Enhanced reputation, attractiveness & networking channels by:

• increasing the participation in collaborative research projects and joint publications

• provide new exchange opportunities for staff and early career researchers

• provide networking opportunities (inter/national regional networking_, public workshops, information days, brokerage events

Enhanced scientific & technological capacity

• improve the capability and skills of persons involved

• increase impact on research and raise of the science & technology level

• knowledge and technology transfer between the partners, through short specialist courses, winter/summer schools, secondments, e-platform for training, mentoring & co-supervision opportunities

• create a framework for potential joint MSc programmes & training networks

Raised research profile & increased research excellence in the field of Energy Efficient Ship Design by:

• establishing research groups to carry out joint research in strategically important subjects in accordance with ITTC Committees

• publish in high impact quartile joint articles in journals/peer-reviewed conferences

• link with industry to create a sustainable network

Improved capability to compete for research funding at national, EU & international levels

• activities, events, collaboration & capacity increase will improve the capability to apply for research funding to inter/national funding programmes

• building a successful ESR research career course: identifying the ESR career development needs, create an implementation plan and grant writing activities

To maximise the impact preliminary dissemination, communication & exploitation plans describe the activities & outputs to:

• the scientific community-open access publications, online data repository, exchanges & specialist Courses

• industrial community-workshops, secondments in industry, short specialist course & summer/winter schools

• local policy authorities through public engagement events the exploitation of the project results not only limited to the academic boundary but also be extended towards the industrial, commercial and governmental uptake