Simulation in Marine Engineering

You are aiming for efficient designs and engineering and want your ships and marine technology to be safe, eco-friendly and economical to operate? For analyses and optimizations of ship systems, the multiphysics simulation software SimulationX is the tool of choice.

Energy efficiency in marine engineering

Whether you evaluate various design layouts for new developments und retrofitting projects or whether you assess potential weak points of ship systems that are already in operation – ESI ITI’s engineers support you along the way from concept studies to design and system analyses to safety compliance certification. System integration is our core competency. System simulation with our simulation software SimulationX is the tool of choice.

Simulation in marine engineering

Design reliable lubrication systems inside engines and gearboxes

Simulate the oil-circulation system for lubricating combustion engines and gearboxes with SimulationX and the new model library “Hydraulic Lubrication”. Examine whether the chosen design provides sufficient lubrication at the desired bearings with respect to heat input, heat transport and other influencing factors.

Simulate electric machines, which serve as generator or motor, without the need to have detailed knowledge in electrical and controls engineering

With dedicated circuit models, which are easily parameterized with catalogue data and the desired automatic controller action, design engineers can simulate the behavior of electric machines interacting with mechanical and electrical components. Electrical engineers benefit from ready-to-use circuit models for efficient and easy modeling, simulation and detailed analyses of the power electronics and controls in electric machines.

Modeling of vessels

Shipbuilding: market requirements and trends

Stricter environmental regulations, fierce competition and new areas of application (e.g. in arctic waters or in deep sea mining) are the challenges shipbuilders and ocean carriers are facing today. And this holds true for the entire lifespan of ships and marine equipment. Also special purpose vessels for erecting and operating offshore wind farms or for deep sea oil and gas extraction, for instance, require innovative and reliable technologies for drive systems and superstructures.

This is the starting point for new concepts that can deliver the same or even higher level of reliability, availability and efficiency. If you are able to see the full picture of the underlying physical principles and interactions, you are in the best position to meet the specific maritime requirements and prevail in the global competition.

Requirements for shipbuilders:

Inexpensive and fast development of ship systems and components
- Flexible to meet customer requests
- For special purposes, such as active heave compensation
- Virtual commissioning of components, modules, vessels and controls
Optimal concepts for cutting-edge ship propulsion systems
- Tailored to specific application requirements
- With minimal operating costs
- Analysis and comparison of alternative drive concepts (LNG, electric hybrid etc.)
Development of energy efficient vessels
- With frequency-controlled pumps
- Waste heat recovery systems
- Optimized operating strategies for main and ancillary units
Safety cases for certification procedures
- Torsional vibration analyses for powertrains (TVA)
- Safety cases for control systems
- Safety cases for generators
Development of ship systems with minimized downtimes (safety and reliability studies, FTA, FMEA)
Compliance with environmental regulations
Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)
Compliance with limits for pollutant emissions, especially for emission control areas (ECAs)

Requirements for ocean carriers:

Reduction of fuel consumption and pollutant emissions
Creation of a ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP)
Minimal downtimes
Retrofitting projects
- Best benefit-cost ratio o Accurate predictions for the return on investment
- Training of operators and maintenance personnel

overview of SimulationX applications in marine engineering

SimulationX in marine engineering

Modeling and simulation of vessels

For economical operation and compliance with regulations and standards for environmental protection and energy efficiency, smoothly operating ship systems (main and ancillary units, cooling water and fresh air supply cycles, waste heat recovery systems etc.) are imperative. In order to meet such requirements, renowned manufacturers, classification societies and engineering service providers in marine engineering around the globe have benefited from ESI ITI’s simulation software SimulationX and engineering services for years.

SimulationX – software for the development of vessels and marine technology

The following scenarios are typical areas where SimulationX can be used:

Structural analyses of ship propulsion systems and occurring torsional vibrations including effects from ice impact
Evaluation of operating strategies and system layouts for main and ancillary units to increase a ship’s energy efficiency
Safety and reliability studies (FTA, FMEA) as well as virtual tests of the powertrain, the energy supply and the controller layout
Realistic, physically correct models for training simulators
System analyses of HVAC systems

marine simulation model to increase ships energy efficiency

Increasing ships energy efficiency

model structure of marine propeller in arctic conditions

Marine propeller arctic conditions

Preventing damage to the powertrain under arctic conditions with SimulationX

Did you know that the model element “Marine Propeller with Ice Impact” from the simulation software SimulationX was certified by Germanischer Lloyd (GL)? Designed and developed by ESI ITI in collaboration with GL in accordance with the specifications laid down by GL, the Finnish-Swedish Maritime Administration and the IACS, this model element helps you calculate ice impact induced loads in the powertrain fast and reliably. The simulation results can also be used for safety cases as part of certification procedures.

Deeper knowledge. Sharper skills.

In the ESI ITI Customer Center, you can find brochures, additional material and training offers on simulation for marine engineering. You can also download a free trial version of SimulationX. Register now and get started straightaway.

Customer center

Experienced in simulation or not?

SimulationX is available to both beginners and experts for modeling, simulating and analyzing ship systems. Find out which version may suit you best.

Get to know SimulationX

Customers and references

All over the world, classification societies, shipbuilders, suppliers, and engineering partners, use SimulationX for designing and optimizing ship propulsion systems. e.g. Bosch Rexroth, Bureau Veritas, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, Det Norske Veritas, Diesel United, Germanischer Lloyd, Loher, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Scana Volda, and Stromag.