WAVES & motions
Maritime Knowledge development RESEARCH PROGRAMME
WAVES & motions
Maritime Knowledge development RESEARCH PROGRAMME
The Waves & Motions research programme studies the behaviour of ships and structures in waves, combining seakeeping and offshore hydrodynamics and structural response. It includes the hydrodynamic safety aspects of individual ships and the modelling of seakeeping in
digital twins.
The sections below provide an overview of the Waves & Motions research programme.
objectives & approach
Waves and motions research focuses on understanding and predicting how ships and offshore structures respond to wave induced loads, motions and extreme sea conditions. This knowledge is fundamental to safe, efficient and reliable operations at sea and forms a core part of MARIN’s hydrodynamic expertise.
Within the Waves & Motions research programme we focus on the following themes:
Waves & Motions Research Domain
Waves and motions research addresses the interaction between sea waves and floating structures, including vessels and offshore installations. It covers the prediction of wave loads, ship motions, accelerations and dynamic responses in both operational and extreme conditions. This includes first‑ and second‑order wave effects, non‑linear behaviour and transient events such as slamming.Scientific and Operational Relevance
Accurate prediction of wave‑induced motions is essential for ensuring safety, operability, comfort and structural integrity throughout a vessel’s lifecycle. Motion behaviour directly affects crew performance, passenger comfort, fatigue damage, equipment limits and the ability to operate safely in adverse conditions. Reliable motion assessment therefore underpins both design decisions and operational guidance.Application of Waves & Motions Expertise at marin
MARIN applies waves and motions expertise through an integrated approach combining physical model testing, high‑fidelity numerical simulations and validated prediction methods. Research outcomes are directly embedded in advisory projects, design support and operational assessments, enabling informed decision‑making for designers, operators and authorities worldwide.Within the Waves & Motions research programme we focus on the following themes:
Contact
Jule Scharnke
senior project manager
key focus areas
waves
The main objective of this sub programme is to be able to reproduce any wave condition from a basin or seaway in numerical tools and vice versa.
waves
The main objective of this sub programme is to be able to reproduce any wave condition from a basin or seaway in numerical tools and vice versa.
Non-linear motions & control
The objective of this sub programme is to know and improve the performance of marine structures. It deals with the quantification of the performance of ships and offshore structures in both operational and extreme conditions.
Non-linear motions & control
The objective of this sub programme is to know and improve the performance of marine structures. It deals with the quantification of the performance of ships and offshore structures in both operational and extreme conditions.
Multiple bodies
This sub programme focusses on the modelling of hydrodynamic interaction between rigid bodies in close proximity in waves.
Multiple bodies
This sub programme focusses on the modelling of hydrodynamic interaction between rigid bodies in close proximity in waves.
FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES
This sub programme covers research related to structural response originating from various hydromechanical loading mechanisms. This includes research into fatigue loads, ultimate strength as well as noise and vibration. The goal of this sub programme is to improve safety of floating structures by providing improved analysis procedures to assess structural loads in operational conditions.
FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES
This sub programme covers research related to structural response originating from various hydromechanical loading mechanisms. This includes research into fatigue loads, ultimate strength as well as noise and vibration. The goal of this sub programme is to improve safety of floating structures by providing improved analysis procedures to assess structural loads in operational conditions.
Extreme events
The mission of this sub programme is to develop methodologies that can be applied for a wide range of events and applications. An extreme event can be related to impact loads on different types of structures, such as greenwater loading, wave-in-deck loading and slamming, but also among other things parametric roll.
Extreme events
The mission of this sub programme is to develop methodologies that can be applied for a wide range of events and applications. An extreme event can be related to impact loads on different types of structures, such as greenwater loading, wave-in-deck loading and slamming, but also among other things parametric roll.
Performance evaluation & optimisation
This sub programme deals with the (automatic) performance evaluation and optimization of maritime structures in waves during the concept, design, and operational phases. The overall goal is to create a unified (automated) method to evaluate and optimise the complete design and operation.
Performance evaluation & optimisation
This sub programme deals with the (automatic) performance evaluation and optimization of maritime structures in waves during the concept, design, and operational phases. The overall goal is to create a unified (automated) method to evaluate and optimise the complete design and operation.
Market Impact
Knowledge developed within the Waves & Motions research programme is directly applied in several of MARIN’s key markets. For Defence, accurate predictions of ship motions, extreme events and slamming responses are essential for safe operations in harsh environments and for ensuring platform survivability. Transport & Shipping, our advancements in seakeeping, fatigue assessment and intact stability support more efficient, safer and more reliable vessel designs and operations. For Offshore Energy & Blue Growth , high‑fidelity wave modelling and second‑order motion prediction play a crucial role in the safe installation, maintenance and autonomous operation of offshore structures and vessels. Within Passengers & Yachting, onboard comfort and operability and safety are key, supporting the design of vessels with reduced motion responses, improved habitability and reliable performance under a wide range of sea conditions.
Across these markets, waves and motions research enables better decision‑making, higher operational uptime and improved safety at sea. The example videos below illustrate typical waves and motions behaviour and applications in practice.
Across these markets, waves and motions research enables better decision‑making, higher operational uptime and improved safety at sea. The example videos below illustrate typical waves and motions behaviour and applications in practice.
In short
MARIN’s Waves & Motions research provides validated insight into wave loading, vessel motions and dynamic responses in both operational and extreme sea conditions. By combining experimental and numerical methods, this knowledge is applied across defence, shipping, offshore energy and passenger markets to improve safety, comfort, operability and overall performance at sea.
RELEVANT LINKS